Change Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

My love for her insulated her,
As I felt then,
From all my relatives including
My parents, brothers and sister.
In thirty-five years,
This has been frozen into her.

But Indian culture still thrives with time spent
Shared with relatives on phone or in person,
Though perhaps professional colleagues
And interesting neighbors are encroaching.

Now, retired, I want warm relationships
With at least interesting relatives
Reviving happy childhood memories.

I find myself alone in relatives’ homes
And functions, embarrassed to speak truth:
She still says a clear No to most of them.