Reflections of Life

I'ld like to sit back and ponder

over the events of the day:

the ups and downs,

the merry-go-rounds;

I'ld like to look back and smile

at the sweet moments in the day:

the silly things that I had done,

the funny things heard,

witty exchanges made,

memorable jokes cracked;

I'ld like to have some time each day

to recall and to recollect,

what I must remember not to forget:

the must-dos and the should-dos,

the need-not-dos and the better-dos -

the little everyday things that make up

a life-long episode for me,

to recall and to recollect

always ...

Sad moments will pass

Just tell me this:

that sad moments will pass,

and i'll willingly believe;

For sad moments will surely pass,

and joyful moments will replace;

Just tell me this:

that all good friends will one day leave,

and i'll really grieve, but believe;

For we each have our lives to lead,

foes and friends alike: they'll leave;

Just tell me this:

that the sun does shine, after a spout of rainfall,

and i'll surely believe;

For God gives time for one to pick himself up -

before dealing the next blow!

The facts of life

Saying the right things,
at the right time,
makes all the difference between a virtue and a crime;
And saying the right things,
in the right way,
gives an assurance
that things'll turn out the right way!
Saying the right things to the right people
may mean being blessed
with everlasting friends;
And saying the right things
on meeting a friend
will ensure he's not embarassed
and you are not harassed.
Thus have i learnt
through many bitter moments
how important it is
to say just the right things ...

Hurt

Sometimes i feel sad - really, truly, sad

for no reason - and that's bad

oft times i feel bad - wholly, unforgivably, bad

for one reason - i'd been a cad ...

Sometimes i make friends feel glad

for one reason - i put on an act

oft times i make them sad

for saying things that are bad - it's a fact

Many a time have i my friends' feelings hurt

by the thoughtless things that i'd blurt

oft times have i wished that i hadn't said what i had,

but i had - and can't take them back ...

Many a time have i realised friends are hurt

but never known i'ld myself be so hurt

many a time, without my knowledge i'd others' feeling hurt

but none is to know either, how i myself am hurt ...

Others may see the knives i twist in their hearts,

but none will know the knives they'd thrust into my heart

others may see that i have flaws and i hurt

but none will notice that their eyes are also not free from dirt ...

Many a time have i reached out to ease a pain, a hurt,

but never can i reach to ease my own pains, my own hurts

many a time have i wanted a friend's comfort,

but each time, i had to, in my own solace, find comfort ...

Many a time have i tried to do without the friend, the hurt,

but each time i am to myself not firm, not curt;

many a time have i hoped for a sign, a word,

but each time he's so casual, so curt, that it hurts ...

Many a time have i wanted my pride to drown, my feelings to blurt,

but each time i'ld feel, in his eyes, i'll be like dirt, or a flirt ...?

Savouring every moment in time

If i were to be asked

what life means to be 56 -

i'll have a lot to say,

and to say them with a smile ...

It's not so much of what's achieved

in five-and-a-half decades plus one,

but more of what's yet to be done

before i could call it a day - DONE!

It's the thought of things put off

the things not done, and those half-done,

those incomplete, and those yet to be completed

that drives me on:

A day longer, a week more -

a month, a year ... more ...?

it's the fear of not having enough time

to do all the things i wish to do

that hastens me on ...

Thus, i'll not put off anything any longer

but to savour every minute of every day

to do the things that i wish to do

to live out my hopes and my dreams

Just in case God says:

Your days are numbered ... Hurry on!

or, Your time has come: move on ...

and i am not allowed to say:

"B..but my heart must go on ..."

A dream of the dream

A DREAM:

I saw an island in my dream -

a place i'd once been,

and met a friend, all smiles, i deem -

to whom i left a part of me, it seems ...

THE DREAM:

I saw the same island in my dream -

and places i'd once been:

a lonely beach ... a lifeless park ... empty seats ...

and the hollow echo of my lonely feet ...

THE END OF A DREAM:

I once thought i had a friend,

but then realised that dreams do end:

to me, he might still have been a friend,

but to him, i had long since reached the end ...

Thoughts - when one is past 50

When one is a child,

one can't wait to grow up;

when one is growing up,

one can't wait to be a grown up;

when one is a grown up,

one can't wait to finish one's work, quickly -

But when one is past 50,

one has to learn

to take things easy,

one has to learn

to just slow down a little ...

one has to find time

to savour every minute, of every day ...

to enjoy all the things

that one wishes to enjoy,

to achieve whatever

one's been working so hard for,

to just sit back

and enjoy the birds and the bees,

the flowers and the trees,

the hills and the seas ...

To just sit back in one's garden, and sip one's tea,

at dusk or at dawn,

in the sunlight,

moonlight, or starlight;

watching the sunrise, or sunset - or moonlit night,

feeling at peace with the world:

For whatever will be, will somehow be -

it's pointless to fume and fret, or to worry!

Just do whatever's necessary -

and let what needs to be, be!