Without Any Choice Poem by Ratnakar Mandlik

</>Entrenched I was like a hermit crab
Away from every one, away from glamour.
No desire I had fame and publicity to grab
A recluse I was and in solitude a dreamer.

Sole companion resident of inner room
Was my poesy, that may have longed to bloom.
Unaware I was of it's desire, encircling gloom
Till my vocation reached threshold of it's doom.

Few months prior to my superannuation
An old friend met me who knew me better.
The sole witness of my venture my poesy's fan
Took me to task for hiding it for ever.

Better late than never was the stern advise
I had to go public with poesy, without any choice.

Poet: - Ratnakar D Mandlik