An Ode to an Old Friend

(i)

Hello, Melancholy – my old comrade!

Where art thou, I wonder…?

My mind has been your favourite promenade

Wherein you loved to enter and meander.

‘Out of sight, out of mind’ -

Seems to be the order of the day;

You however, were an extraordinary kind

Who compelled me to obey.

You clung to me like Velcro

And blended yourself into me;

The more I tried to let go,

The more you lacerated me.

Oblivion, I knew would not come so easily,

For, your roots were too deep

Which clung to me steadfastly.

So I decided to give in and silently weep. 

I bowed before your magnanimity,

For, you enveloped me in those wide arms, and made me numb.

I marvel at your tenacity,

For, despite my resistance, you never gave up, and made me succumb.

(ii)

Now you’ve left me alone and are gone,

I weep no more, but am still forlorn.

I fail to comprehend this mannerism

Wish I could purge myself of this masochism.

But although you’ve moved on to greener pastures

I miss your ‘noble’ gestures!

I miss the darkness with which you’d draw me

For, light now blinds me!

I have become an island in a sea

A complete misfit, the joke seems to be on me!

I fail to appreciate mirth

‘Cause I have forgotten its worth.

They call it relativity

But what is this for me, but insanity?

I now need you to remind me

The true value of joy, of what it should mean to me… 

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                                       (Composed by Abhipsita Kundu on 16th May 2011)