YOU AND I

-by Anshul Gandhi

 

I don't know how many of you will understand the meaning of this poem at the first glance.

At the heart of the poem are two characters, the protagonist and his lover. The poem moves through time and describes how the nature around these two characters changes with time.

The poem is broken into 3 parts, each of two stanzas.
The three parts represent respectively the Past, the Present and the Future.
Also notice that all the parts are similar in content. That is, for example, the first two lines of each part talk about the times and the humans respectively.

The meaning I wanted to convey was how the time and world changes around these two characters yet they are, in a sense, unfazed by it. The changes in time and world do not affect the protagonist's love for his lover.

The pessimism in the poem is obvious from the way I have described the passage of time - from good to worst. Also, there is the essence of eternal love in the poem especially in the last two lines of the last two stanzas.

 

This was my expression of commitment to my passion and love. My devotion to my love.
It also serves as my acceptance of the fact that Love is timeless, Eternal.

 

They say the times were peaceful and kind

and all was going well with mankind,

they say that the winds were purer then

they say that the songs were sweeter then.

But for all I care, why should I cry,

cause you have lived, and so have I.

 

They say that the Gods were more forgiving,

and Mother Nature was happily living

they say that the flowers were brighter then

they say that the waters were bluer then.

But for all I care, why should I cry,

cause you have lived, and so have I.

 

 

They say that the times are now watching with silence

and people are busy with crap and violence,

they say that the trees are shadier now

they say that the sands are cooler now. 

It may be true or it may be a lie,

but you are living and so am I. 

 

They say that the Gods are now indifferent and vague,

and Mother Nature is trying to stop the plague

they say that the grass is drier now

they say that the skies are greyer now.

It may be true or it may be a lie,

but you are living and so am I.

 

 

They say that the times will be harsh and untamed

and everyone will realize that all are to be blamed,

they say that the pyres will extinguish by then

they say that the leaves will die by then

And then again, even we may die,

but atleast in stories or in poems, you will live and so will I.

 

They say that the Gods will show their wrath,

and Mother Nature will be lost in her path

they say that you will freeze by then

they say that I will burn by then.

but atleast in dreams or up in the sky

you will live and so will I.