By Anushka Dey
When I look into the mirror
I wonder how little it knows
How little of the man that is me it shows
Does it know I limp not due to my old age?
Does it know l was never a bird to be kept in a cage?
That l was crazy about mountaineering
And on one such unfortunate trek
I fell and broke my leg. Thank heavens! Not my neck.
Oh! How much knowledge it does lack
It doesn’t know the stories of the scars on my back
It is unaware that l was a wildlife photographer by profession
It wasn’t only ‘fill-bell’ occupation but my addiction & passion
Yes, it can show the wrinkles underneath my eyes
But does it know the wisdom & experiences behind them lies?
Then all my thoughts were cut-off as the neighbourhood children come yelling
“Grandpa! Grandpa! It’s time for storytelling.”
With one last look at the mirror l feel pity
Not for the children, thinking they will too be crumbled of old age as they grow
But for the mirror for how little it knows
How little of the actuality it shows
Image: Alex Lopez on Unsplash