THOSE ADD-ONS! br With the approach of Autumn’s breeze, br The trees begin to shed their leaves! br And so do we all elderly folks, br Some of us may shake or even croak! br We gradually lose our luster and shine, br Those hair, teeth, hearing and sight! br Which had served us once so fine, - br They are now in a state of decay, br For old age can never be too kind! br With a wig on head, false teeth and br gums, br Bifocals as specs and a hearing aid, - br Are add-ons we acquire destined by fate! br And the heart which had once been stout, br Skips a beat and jumps around, should br one try to make haste! br A pace-maker makes up for catches in br breath , - br Till such time one gets laid to rest! br br As a child I had crawled on fours! br Soon learnt to walk and run on twos! br Climbed through hills and dales and up br many trees! br Now with my walking stick in hand, - br I jog along on all threes! br But before I once again begin to crawl, br With my grandchildren across the hall! br I sincerely pray to Him, to spare me that br ignominy, - br By setting my soul forever free! br -Raj Nandy br 12 Jul 09 br (Friends, I had written ‘The Sphinx’s Walk’ br on page 20 rather seriously! But people failed br to understand me! If you read that poem you br shall see! So now I write this in a lighter vein!)br br RAJ NANDYbr br