When I was Old

Yesterday, I was Old
had seen pleasure and pain
and knew them impostors
time and again

I had become mature
and experienced and wise
and knew the differences
‘twixt virtue and vice

I was detached
as I saw, my old friends depart
I thought of a good future
and played on my part

Oh Today I am so lucky
in my youth to be Old!
I had forgotten my experience
which I have just now retold

I met Him and He told me
have great zest, yet clear sight
He showed me the wisdom
to grow old overnight

“I told then my story
they were too young to listen
Now I tell them this story
still they can’t see the vision”

“Why so, Dear Father
just why must they sigh?
Why can’t they simply,
see this?” asked I

“Wisdom, my Sweet Child
is not ability to repeat
To tell them of sweetness
first taste what is sweet”

“Experience my Dear Child
Great Joy and full Peace
when you meet the sorrowing
their sorrow should cease”

“For that, you need to
know All benefits firsthand
When your life is so joyful
they will understand”

“So go forth and know all
You are Arjun, the bold
Let ‘I will do it’ be the slogan
And DO it”, He told

A youth with experience
I have to become Old
Be complete like Father
and gain treasures untold.