Time and Motion (poem)

Every generation invents a new monster to slay
Gives it a name
Builds snowmen to melt
Strawmen to hang
Dances its youth away
In a cocktail of hopes and anxieties
Believes ephemeral prophets
Touches feet of clay
Falls in love, discovers layers of truth.

When the dye flows over grey hair
When youth fades, friends remain
Shared illusions are strong cement
Choices loom
To cry tears for lost dreams
To laugh dryly at lapsed stupidity
To count blessings, seek wisdom.

The awesomeness of a vast universe beckons
Stars and waves, nights and flowers
Mysterious tunes that speak unspoken truths
The child's smile
Tree trunks with the rugged looks of an achieving mother.
Meaningful silences
From where spring words of magic
             -- Madhavan N, 2018