POEMS ABOUT AGEING

MY EPITAPH

MY EPITAPH

[A day comes when the thought of an epitaph does not seem too remote!]


When outside the snow is falling
And icy winds blow loud,
I sit around the winter fire
And watch a motley crowd:

The flames and smoke and tiny sparks
Dancing up and about
Are all reduced to nothingness
In a moment, no doubt.

Then does the thought occur to me
That one day I too shall
Mingle in dust leaving behind
None to about me tell.

But yes, a faded epitaph
Will proclaim to the winds:
“He chose to fly out of the world
On the poetic wings.

One foot he had in medicine
And the other in law.
But it was in poetry that
His salvation he saw”.


* Written in abcb 8-6-8-6 format


M C Gupta
31 August 2005