ON LEAVING SIXTY NINE BEHIND: a sonnet

ON LEAVING SIXTY NINE BEHIND: a sonnet


As I enter the seventieth year
Of my sojourn on this planet called earth,
I march ahead without a trace of fear;
Though old, I am full of vigour and mirth.

It’s not that god of wealth on me does smile
Or that I am robust like a young man.
It’s only that in the Obama style,
I do believe I am young and I can.

I built an edifice of sixty nine
Storeys that will ultimately tumble.
Yet Lord, I will sing songs of glory thine;
I care not if my body does crumble.

You gave me all that I was worthy of.
I don’t need any more to, well, show off.


M C Gupta
Written on 23 January, 2011, my birthday.