Birthday Thoughts Poem by Venkateswaran Krishnan Sreenivasan

The evening of my life draws on
With dreams and hopes forlorn;
With wrinkles written on my brows,
My mind’s unfettered ambition grows.

I have traversed a long distance
From my origin to my present state
With mixed emotions I glance
At the past with my mind’s eye to relate

My school days were boisterous days
Crossing fields and brooks to reach the place;
After school, we would swim and play
And then in the neighboring sanctum pray.

Walking miles to college and back
Took its toll on my studies and back
Finding no time to study and sleep,
I felt my morale sinking deep.

My medical course was a God given boon,
A prayer that was granted not that soon;
I prayed from childhood for that blessed day
When my teacher the angel lit up my way

A novice in healing, I couldn’t make ends meet,
Hence joined the Forces, an action quite meet.
Mellowed by a war and the sound of gun,
I quit and resumed the task begun.

From olive green fatigues to civilian robe
Was indeed a change in my role
Feeling, empathizing and caring;
Profits and pinpricks apart, were alluring.

My family, children and home
Amidst the rumblings as I roam,
Lent color, gaiety and peace
By happiest moments that please.

Freed from office and fatherly care,
Two questions now, at my face, do stare.
How long can I hang on to my calling?
How long will last this happy sailing?