Transitions

Birth:

Endless darkness,

A liquid encapsulation,

Unaware, Not a care,

Stolid, semi-flotation.

The 9th month, the drain,

Awakening-a mother's pain.

An agony of affection,

A parent's love reflection.

Discomfort, contractions,

Kicks- physical interactions.

Cycles retard, blazing light,

Must the new world be so bright?

A gush of oxygen, the fluids drip off,

An impolite gesture on the posterior,

Is that how every life sets off?

And finally, paternal embrace...

Infancy:

The forthcoming ventures on land,

The attention demand,

The fortress surrounding,

Pillow, toy and bedding.

Body gestures, meaningless talk,

Drooling, incontinence, the four legged walk.

Sights and sounds each newer than the last,

All these will soon remain an immemorial past.

Inanimate animals and non toxic toys,

The only friends- no girls, no boys.

No care in life, no reason to be hyper,

Just plenty of milk and a change of diaper.

Ah! The elevation by the limbs...

Childhood:

Discretion, Definition, Differentiation,

The abilities time can unlock,

Scheduled play, scheduled sleep, scheduled education,

All dot on the clock.

A general understanding of how things work,

Where good things lie and evils lurk.

Actions on impulse, actions on learning,

An innocence never again seen hence-post upbringing.

A dignified walk, an unbroken voice,

Plenty of time to make 'the choice'.

The whereabouts and what you want to be,

For now are clouded by the shadows of glee.

The replacement of the dentition...

Adolescence:

A noticeable expansion,

Both sideways and vertical.

The fading of fascinations for

Dollhouse or bicycle.

Mindsets and rebellions,

The increasing curvatures,

Of body shapes and the throat ball,

Ascent towards being physically mature.

The first attraction,

Primary lip interaction,

Emotional breakdowns,

Of the blood-flow contraption.

The first physical brawl,

Broken bone and tooth fall,

Actions done with much regret,

Memories certainly not to forget.

Lessons to be wise...

Adulthood:

The completion of education,

Embarkation upon occupation,

Adoration and betrothal,

The twain in the depths of affection.

Matrimony and confederation,

Of the youth in presentation.

The union of the instruments of courtship,

The success, a descendant in anticipation.

Labor and patience,

Adjustments and restriction.

The rolling forth of time,

Parental efforts and production.

Natality increment...

Parenthood:

The branding of the adults,

Labels: Father and Mother,

A new responsibility,

One in which you must not falter.

The actions of the guardians,

Will shape the very frame of the child,

The reinforcement, the refinement, the nurture,

Define the psyche balance between good and wild.

The congregation of man, wife and kid,

The proximity of selves and the guild.

Determines the dependence on one another,

Advantageous it is in life's strife to battle together.

The wrinkling of flesh...

Eld:

Slow movement of life,

Memories, past participle,

Follicle's abatement,

Discoloration of cuticle.

Discarded by youth,

A few pay respect,

Struggles against being,

life's reject.

Utilization of the last of shine,

Anguish and reminiscence,

The last of finances,

Pensions and long term investments.

The final exchange of air,

Exit of life-the completion of the dare.

Bitter sorrow environment,

Mists of despair.

Consummation....

Afterlife:

What lies 'yond?

What secrets locked?

Wither are we to go?

Where are the answers found?

A mystical garden,

with evergreens and fruit?

Or a captivity for souls,

In flames and soot?

The hours in life may seem long,

but the transitions are a mere length of a song.

Protect! Relish! Visualize!

The afterlife's not where lies the prize.

The mirth you seek will not fall in place,

Procreate! manipulate! achieve!

Happiness is a puzzle, decode the interlace.

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Harish Iyengaar

15th October, 2010