Of oldage and lost love

Of oldage and lost love


I was sitting at a cafe, sipping my black coffee
It was strong and the weather was hot
from reading my news and looked up at the laughter
there she was, that laughter
it was on a wrinkled face
and I knew those eyes,
those shrewd, sweet, intelligent, passionate and soft eyes
they had once looked at me
when I was young, they used to trace me
traced the length of me in her bed
in my bed
she once was my sweet
she once was my laughter
she once was my fear
my fear that I will fall in love
fall and lose myself in her eyes
so I had left and those eyes did not question
but yes I did once in a often remembered
remembered my cowardice
remembered that tug I felt in my heart
the moments I wanted to give in
but I was a man
and yes I was a fool
I should have given to those eyes

I wonder if those eyes will look at me
Recognise me
Remember me
What part of me
Who those eyes look at today
From whom they bright up
I tell you now my listener
if you find those eyes
do not let it get away


Nilanjana Som
28th April 2019