CLN Newsdesk often receives interesting posts and anonymous forwarded messages on Social Media, which are worthy of being published.
The poem – Who am I? – is a very good example. CLN Wishes our readers a Very Happy Senior Citizens Day.
Who am I ?
After retirement,
with no job,
no routine,
and a quiet house echoing with silence…
I finally began to discover my true self.
Who am I?
I built bungalows,
raised farmhouses,
invested in ventures big and small,
yet now,
I find myself bound within four simple walls.
From bicycle to moped,
bike to car,
I chased speed and style —
but now, I walk slowly,
alone, inside my room.
Nature smiled and asked,
“Who are you, dear friend?”
And I replied,
“I am… just me.”
I’ve seen states, countries, continents,
but today,
my journeys stretch
only from the drawing room to the kitchen.
I learned about cultures and traditions,
but now,
I simply long to understand
my own family.
Nature smiled again,
“Who are you, dear friend?”
And I said,
“I am… just me.”
Once I celebrated birthdays, engagements, weddings in grand style —
but today, I count coins
to buy vegetables.
Once I fed extra bread to cows and dogs,
today, even my own meal feels like a challenge.
Nature asked once more,
“Who are you, dear friend?”
And I answered,
“I am… just me.”
Gold, silver, diamonds, pearls —
sleep quietly in lockers.
Suits and blazers —
hang untouched in wardrobes.
But now,
I live in soft cotton,
simple and free.
I once mastered English, French, Hindi —
but now, I find comfort
in reading my mother tongue.
I travelled endlessly for work,
and now,
I reflect on those profits and losses —
measured in memories.
I ran businesses,
nurtured a family,
built many connections,
but now,
my dearest companion
is the kind neighbour next door.
I once followed every rule,
strived in education —
but now I finally see
what truly matters.
After all of life’s highs and lows,
in a quiet moment,
my soul whispered back to me.
Enough now…
Get ready,
O Traveller…
It’s time to prepare for the final journey…
Nature smiled gently,
“Who are you, dear friend?”
And I replied:
“O Nature,
You are me…
And I am you.
Once I soared in the skies,
Now I touch the earth with grace.
Forgive me…
Give me one more chance to live…
Not as a money-making machine,
But as a true human being —
With values,
With family,
With love.” 😊
To all ‘Seniors’ out there; wishing you love, strength, and peace. 🙏
Makes you get into deep introspection. I particularly felt the part when it said, ‘Now I simply long to understand my own family’.
Wonderful.
Beautiful poem: the last lines are really amazing 🙏
The secrets to staying young and being happy
– Laugh and find humour every day
– Never lose your dreams – keep dreaming
– Huge difference between growing up and growing older. The idea is to grow up by finding the opportunity in change
– Have no regrets
Part of the lyrics of the song The Rose:
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun’s love
In the spring becomes the rose
.
Very touching!!
To the poet who asked who am I?
You are the Bridge between yesterday and tomorrow. You are the keeper of stories, the living library of wisdom, the gentle strength that shaped our lives.
Every wrinkle is a chapter, Every scar a lesson, Every smile- A victory over time.
On senior citizen day, we bow to your journey. We celebrate your resilience, and we say with pride- you are our roots , our guide and our light.