At Seventy

At Seventy

P K Routray

A picnic or a get-together

intently is sought after

on any part and time of a year

adverse weather fail to dampen our cheer

with frequency neither a bar nor a bore

amongst friends embedded at hearts’ core,

reared together since as teenagers

under the same roof over five prime years

sharing often the same knickers

though later scattered over the spear

to breed families and to pursue own career

wisened by the teachings at the Alma-mater,

many adorned top rung of managerial ladder

Despite frowning realities over five decades

kept we in touch that earned many accolades

Though the contacts hung on a hairline

because of pressure around breaking the spine

it touched the heart line when to a nickname

despite the bounden burden, a friend’s response came.

Regardless of the past disparity of position and power

at this age of seventy, the bondage has grown deeper.

With hairs grayed over the hard truth of a mortal stay

we friends chose to maintain the group with song and sway.

Better halves lent shoulders to us “ Their companions,

loved to be a part of our batch doubling the jubilations.

With freedom of burden and leisure being thrust upon

bored as an isolated couple, time weighs heavily on our emotion

Need we friends in groups to chit chat, laugh and jump

round the day, round the year till our hearts pump.

Some love to be regular, some are casual to the call

some are indifferent, to some their interest health issues stall.

But the get-togethers are held often with ample attendance

those who miss repent afterward for their absence.

We have made an arrangement that this will continue for indefinite

we pray to take together the plan with us when the time comes to exit.

 ( N. B - We batch mates who were reading together from 1965 (Around 150 out of 250 strength) to1970 have close knit bondage till date and often meet over picnic and get-togethers with spouses in the same teenagers’ spirit