Just Friends Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

While hovering on the periphery
Of her Being,
I used to quote bits of Hindi film songs
On spring, moon, and love to her,
Jab jab bahar aayi….

With strict contempt
As facial expression,
But in words polite,
She made it clear
That it is passé,
Old-fashioned, not done.

I shrank: felt whipped;
Stopped it and stepped out of teenage,
Feeling enormously stupid, shamefaced.

We continue as friends even now.
Was there a deepening of relationship -
Richer, tranquil and unambiguous?

Note: Jab jab bahar aayi - these words mean, 'Whenever Spring comes....', part of an old and popular Hindli film-song.