An evocative poem about the passage of time, the evening of one’s life, by Dr. Roopali, exclusively for Different Truths. 

Slowly wearily almost without a whisper
Evening came upon me.
Sunsets are tired times when
birds fly home and traffic jams sap energy.
Returning home is a longing
an acceptance 
the day’s work is done. 

I hadn’t noticed the sky had turned orange and pink
and the wispy clouds had spread across.
I didn’t look out for the setting Sun 
I didn’t say goodbye. 

I don’t know when evening set in 
and when I began to walk slow. 
I did not feel the darkness deepen 
I did not know it was time to go.

My eyes dim the bright gold of the sunlight
and my hair has silver streaks of grey
My voice trembles just a wee bit 
and my heart no longer sings of May.

I miss the sunrise lying late in bed
and I skip the sunset for supper 
Sometimes I hear a creaking sound
and it’s certainly not my springy bed.

“It’s your bones,” my body cackles
“They are telling, you are growing old”.
My flesh heaves and I shiver with cold.

Slowly wearily without telling 
shades of evening have come upon me.
I don’t know when twilight set in 
and when I began to walk slowly. 
I did not feel the darkness deepen 
I did not know it was time to go.

Picture design by Anumita Roy, Different Truths

Dr. Roopali Sircar Gaur

Dr. Roopali Sircar Gaur is a poet, travel writer, and social justice activist. A former professor of English Literature at Delhi University, and a creative writing professor at IGNOU, she is a widely published academic and creative writer. Her book Twice Colonised: Women in African Literature, is a seminal text on women’s socio-political empowerment. In 2020-21, she co-edited two poetry anthologies – In All the Spaces: Diverse Voices in Global Women’s Poetry, and Earth Fire Water Wind.