My seat I'll vacate
too long I've sat
it's yours this time
over this I'm really glad-

enough I've seen
and felt here
of life, its vicissitudes
of things sad or dear-

you'll have another perspective
and adhere to your every belief
this is life's true democracy
none compels you how to live-

you might write your story
I'll read happily and objectively
there might be  congruence
in some of our thoughts-- hopefully!

I've done enough for you
I can't bend any further
you're now on your own
your life you've to take over-


time is relentless
my life I've to look after
before long I'll be old
with illness and fever-

our paths have been crossed
we've shared our each joy and sorrow
we'll say our farewell now
but wish each other well for very morrow

I can't say anything
the truth is I don't know
to speak lies or half-truths
isn't the way to go-

I'll hear you all
some wisdom to acquire
patient and humble I'll be
to be a better person to aspire-

they say life is know-how
tools to sharpen the wit
I've endeavoured all my life
but never managed to hit it-

I'll not say anything
perhaps not to speak at all
while the masses rally
slogans to shout--I'll not join their call

Are you calm and cool
    or prone to anger
    most days through?

Are you a cheer-bringer
or a perpetual grumbler?

Two tasks  before you
one easy, the other hard-
which would you tackle first?
Why do you choose such?

Happiness is not a word
I'm fond of
my music has tears
for those who have heard-

I'm lonely and unwell
life is but a veil of sorrow
so heavy does it hover
upon me-- wherever I go-

I compose best at night
when the day's harshness no longer does burn
a mysterious force guides my hand
the outcome is my every weeping nocturne-

longing, dreaming, melancholy
are found in my every note
I care not for the light of day
only for longer  hours of night I hope