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Not easy

To blow out your past

In one breath!

The dead candles

On the birthday cake

A jungle of nude trees

That had once

Sheltered me in their shade.

A grudge of betrayal

In their silent eyes!

‘We are the milestones

Of the arduous trek’.

I stand convicted….!

Oh! How the Time’s trident-

Tomorrow-today-yesterday

A choking sequence

Traps in its maze!

Each tomorrow,

Like the colourful butterfly

Entices and ensnares.

But at a mere touch

Turns into harsh today

Soon to be buried

In nameless yesterday!

The lone burning candle

That calls itself ‘Hope’

Taps on my shoulder,

Whispers in my ears

Neither tress, nor milestones

These are my foots steps

Signifying our journey together.

The trident – an illusion

Merges in me!

Just hold my hand

Till I lead you into eternity!

Narinder Jit Kaur is a retired Associate Professor from Patiala,who taught English Literature for 31 Years in various Government Colleges of Punjab. A writer and a translator, she has five books of translations, from Punjabi to English, to her credit Including Voices In The Back Courtyard(Rupa & Co.) -An Anthology Of Short-Stories By Punjabi Women Writers. She writes articles, poems and short-stories in English, Punjabi and Hindi. You can read more from her on narinderjit.com