An Ordeal

After a long wait

The doorbell rang,

I knew

He had come,

To enthuse me;

He who had promised

To me

A world full of love

And gaiety.

I stand to gain,

I should let him in.

He sat cross-legged

On the floor,

A pale version of himself;

He did not speak,

His eyes weren’t bright,

Something was wrong,

He had come emptyhanded.

I asked,

Why?

After a quiet deliberation

With himself

He said –

Time has changed,

The people

Their aspiration and aim

Has changed

No one is certain

About the future,

Love is difficult to find,

In the absence of love

There is no joy.

I did not see hate,

Anger and grief.

I felt I was the odd one;

I retraced my steps

And here I am.