Age is more than a number

The wait was over. The telephonic conversation took off. The hello was deep and loaded, but in minutes the mood of the conversation turned into an exercise in courtesies. The fire was missing. Who was responsible?

Age, the only enemy that life can’t take on.

The passionately unfed years between the conversation and the last meeting had left the fabric of togetherness with holes that were beyond darning.

In other words, life had changed in a big way. The empty years had done away with all the sweetness in the sweet nothings. Hence, the slide in the mood of the conversation.

The cock used to crow at the glimmer of dawn. It was so lovely to hear it herald the day. More so because the day then held many promises, preceded by many dreams. Some dreams were realised, some weren’t. New dreams were woven each day to make up for the lost ones.

The rooster still crows, the dawn still breaks, but the days aren’t what they used to be. Because the Dream’s long absence had allowed indifference to take over and cull everything to do with unrestrained indulgences. Some call them raw, but the lack of them makes the deal raw.

Almost war-like situations were often created over the acquisition of wealth, relentless battles were unleashed to achieve one’s status and the search for love knew no limits. Sometimes suicide was preferred to being dumped. It seems ridiculous now, but was a serious option then. It seems utterly unacceptable now, but was almost understandable then. Well, walking through life alone had dramatically changed all that.

Parties were welcome but the fever-pitch obsession to attend them was missing. The wild wish to play the show stealer had gone dormant.

Earlier a smile in those parties could inspire a poem, now even a hug is taken in stride or falls by the wayside of a reluctant journey.

Exhilarating nocturnal hours are cherished, but the pleasant and uneasy wait for them is almost absent. And warm embraces have become mere palliatives for a wounded within.

Age is certainly more than a number and a cruel opposition to desire.