“through the act of living, the discovery of oneself is made concurrently with the discovery of the world around us. . ."

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Old, Empty Bottles





Cleaning up my attic the other day
I chance upon some empty bottles.
From the fading, moth-eaten labels
I read the names; Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie
Jack Daniels, Jameson, Johnny Walker, Chivas Regal
Old Putney, Old Smuggler and a few others –
And there! My eternal favourite, Glenlivet!
Gifts from old friends, none I could afford.

I pull out the corks, twist open the caps and
Breathe in, deeply, the exquisite fragrance
Look lovingly at the traces of golden liquid, the dregs
Languishing at the bottom.

Life, as you get old, is like a near- empty
Bottle of Single Malt
Carrying the haloed memories
Of happiness, of abandon
Of gaiety and camaraderie.
Life, the elders would know,
Is all about remembering the smells,
The sights and sounds of the past.

In the fading light, I smile to myself
Ruefully.
Yet - I am happy
That I had once tasted good things
That I could recollect and rejoice now
Though, they are just memories.

************    Balachandran V, Trivandrum 07-10-2014


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