By Srijita Mandal
I stand on the pavement,
As I witness the Hours passing by-
Hour after Hour, crowding on the highways,
Walk in silent procession,
No emotion on their faces.
I hear the sound of a thousand footfall
Beating in rhythm against the concrete path,
Beating in rhythm with my heart,
Nothing else can be heard,
As I stand on the pavement.
I stand on the pavement,
As I witness Life passing by
Alone, in an even pace.
He does not care for a thing
In his surrounding,
As he walks without showing
Any sign of stopping
Ever in the Midway.
As I stand on the pavement.
I stand on the pavement,
As I witness Death coming nigh
Slowly, but in assured step,
Ever narrowing the distance
Between him and Life that in brazen pace
Walks with head held high.
With Death in his nescient heels-
Ignorant bliss,
As I stand on the pavement.
Time, Life and Death
Evanescent, as the Universe speaketh
Of eternity.
Bound by Time, drowned in Life, drawn to Death
The Soul in us speaketh
Of eternity.
If liberated for a moment, you stand on the pavement
You'll see-
Time, Life and Death,
In a choir as one, singeth
Of eternity.
Art of thoughtful meditation on the passage of time whenever the universe makes you being alone it shows the indifference of life, and the serene certainty of death, all seen through the inner silence and outer noise of the pavement ( as soul). Also captures the never-ending flow of existence and the silent procession of people caught within it using rhythmic imagery and personification. Imagining the picture of it I stands out on a vast experience, commenting not just on external movement, but also on the deeper, spiritual truth that lurks underneath all transience, a whisper of eternity though not eternal. After reading it I tried to halt, notice, and recognise the interconnectedness of silence with Time, Life, and Death in the wider cosmic symphony. Wow! It reflects in-between I and me a highly introspective piece combining profundity and emotional quiet.
This poem deeply moved me. The repeated imagery of standing still on the pavement while Time, Life, and Death pass by evokes a powerful sense of reflection and existential stillness. The rhythm, symbolism, and contrast between motion and stillness beautifully capture the quiet observation of life’s inevitable journey. It made me pause and think about how we are all just witnesses, yet participants, in this vast, fleeting universe. Truly profound.
I love her writings. I love how she writes each and every words.