An Old Man in the City

I walk the old, narrow, ditch-laned streets, on my own, surprised to see that they are still the same compared to the hip highways, which my driver takes me through. I pass by a street-walker, engrossed in my own thoughts, I bang into him. I am surprised to see how cynical people are these days. He shouts back rudely at me. I stare back blankly maybe looking a little grim, not because I am really embarrassed, but it’s just that these things are as old to me as my black hair. I see women running around on the road, most of them rushing up for their offices. I recall how my wife used to always stay in the house, or rather the kitchen. I entered late night, she would be cooking dinner. I left early morning, she would be cooking breakfast. Sometimes I wondered whether she even lived in the kitchen or not. How naïve I was, thinking of such lame jokes on my wife, never appreciating her presence. But now that she is gone, long lost forever, that I realize how much I ill-treated her and if she would be alive, she would have slaughtered me by now, but that is just a humor provoking thought.

I have to cross the road, but there is so much traffic. Roads and cars must have exceeded the human population by inches. I ask, why cannot we reduce it? But who am I to ask. In my youth, I myself was a man of honor and pride, who desired fame, car and bungalow. All influential thoughts. But there is no shortage of soft hearts today. A man in his young days just walked over to help me and escorted me across the road. I am greatly thankful to him. I wonder why all cannot be like this. Although this is seldom appreciated, but it gives you a rest sometimes. But on the contrary if all become good, there will be no space for tolerance, ignorance, and above all---- appreciation for the good. And all of these are important values of one’s life.

My view is getting dim. Is it this old man’s eye-sight or has the sun set? It is all getting blur and things are fading out. I tripped over a hedge, or maybe a piece of wood. And soon before I know, I pass out, not just to sleep but to continue sleeping forever, in the arms of the almighty. On which maybe someday all will have faith in.