All Alone

He sat in his recliner in the balcony, 
the evening soft breeze so cool, tender
with his eyes closed as if in a trance;
The light breeze swept along his wrinkled skin
caressing everything it touched on its way
at the tiny square balcony garden -
the blooms, leaves, herbs
and his soul soaked in its soothing touch! 

His drowsy eyes still closed
he sat in reminiscence of the past
of all that had happened to him:
Now in his mid sixties - creased, faded skin, 
withering tree - leaves drying and falling;
His once flexible brain losing elasticity
as is his skin - little by little, 
with no one at his side
to talk to or care for him. 

All Alone!

He heard the evening chorus of pigeons, 
and opened his eyes to see
them flocking across the sky, 
as they swooped and soared in
various shapes against the orange sky. 
His eyes brightened at this sight! 

Again, memories of so many incidents
recent and past - flashed before his eyes:
the loss of his better half to an accident, 
the abuse, the neglect by his sons, 
those disturbing exchange of words
that only made matters worse, 
the endless wait for his sons
to return proved futile. 

Ducklings that he devotedly cared
Flew swiftly away from his homestead. 

Leaving him

All Alone! 

He heard the tinkle of the windchimes, 
as it swayed in the gentle breeze. 
His mind dissolved in its mellifluous melody! 

He has fallen down for the umpteenth time. 
He has no vigour left
or desire to get up and move;
He is gradually mastering the art:

Of being dissolved
In the fragility of life

Like a scattered dust...

To be gently carried away by the breeze! 

Embracing that precious moment!

All Alone!


Date: 11/03/2020
Submitted for Ambedo Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Silent One

Second Place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Dietrich Avatar
January 26, 2021 at 3:31 PM
oh, second. hmmm.
Jayasankar Avatar
January 27, 2021 at 5:39 AM
Yes.. :)
Dietrich Avatar
January 26, 2021 at 3:30 PM
oh my goodness. This is poignancy at its best. Unless you were raised with English since very young childhood, I'd say you have really mastered writing in English very well for someone not a native speaker. Gonna fave this one.and belated Congrats. did he give you a first place?
Jayasankar Avatar
January 27, 2021 at 5:39 AM
Aww Andrea, thank you SO much for such a valuable comment and congrats. It means a LOT to me. Also, thank you for the fav. Love n hugs :)
Dietrich Avatar
January 26, 2021 at 3:28 PM
Hmm, I am seeing lots of old poems now that I already commented to, so I bet there are not many left unread by me. Let me check this one out now. I am on my last poet of the day and then time for me to get off here!
Jayasankar Avatar
January 27, 2021 at 5:37 AM
Thank you Andrea for reading my old poems.. :)
Wolf Avatar
November 5, 2020 at 6:38 PM
Very moving, Ani!! Poignantly penned... Just one thought: Now that I'm 70-something, a 60-year-old looks like a youngster to me. lol. ~ Passion and Perspective, gw
Jayasankar Avatar
November 5, 2020 at 11:45 PM
Thank you so much Gershon! Your visit and comment much appreciated. Haha... some people may be weaker in mind even in their 60s ...You are strong even in your 70s. I respect you a lot. Best regards.. :)
Andresen Avatar
November 5, 2020 at 12:19 PM
- Congratulations on your winning poem, dear Ani :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Jayasankar Avatar
November 5, 2020 at 11:39 PM
Thank you so much dear Anne... Love and hugs.. :)
One Avatar
November 5, 2020 at 6:29 AM
An evening chorus of pigeons, sounds like he is in India... Your poems takes the reader on a journey through his thoughts.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest..
Jayasankar Avatar
November 5, 2020 at 9:04 AM
Thank you so much Silent One. Haha.. he is from India ...you got it right! Your contest was interesting and you really made us sit and think.. though I was not confident enough as to what to write... until I really sat and wrote for this contest... and I really really appreciate your patience in finding time to comment for each and every contestant. God bless. :)
Balasubramanian Avatar
November 4, 2020 at 3:32 AM
Wow! What write especially the last italics lines.How well you write! You should write more. Have you published anything? You should. :) Rama
Jayasankar Avatar
November 4, 2020 at 10:27 AM
Rama thx dear... No dear... I just feel happy to write poems, learning daily reading and writing poems. Thx for your visit and encouragement. Love and hugs.. Gn.. ~:)
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace