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