TELL ME NOT

                     Tell Me Not

Tell me not I was once a lad;
An open sky that I once had,

That offered me untold delight

And lit my spirit day and night.

Remind me not the days and nights

That told me tales and flew my kites;

Many a game that I did play

With heart and soul unleashed and gay.

Jog not my memory I once sailed

Alone for miles and there beheld

On either side, along the inlet,

Many a willow and flowery thicket.

Bring me not back the rights all lost, 

All things that came by free of cost;

Affection, love, all poured on me,

Even when I was wilful, naughty.

I'm in my time, leave me to suffer

From weakness, bloating, bugs, whatever:

Let me be in my dying yard;

But tell not I was once a lad.

 -- N P Samal