A baby is born
branded for big things
A bright-eyed sapling
destined for greatness
Does his parents think
a second about his wants?
The boy is doused
with fuel of high
expectations and burned in
the bright flame of failure
The boy dies and
from the ashes
rises the wingless phoenix
of a bitter man
He struggles to stand
straight under the back
breaking weight of his world
he strives to support
A modern-day Atlas
battered down like dough
Ceases to smile
willing himself to
go the extra mile
greys prematurely
ages gracelessly
He becomes an old man
withered and shrivelled
Is he even fifty?
The rat race of the
world chews him and spits
out a broken toy
full of aches and aches
He retires and
at last, he can put up
his feet in the sun
Or, can he?
The race has a new runner
His son.
L.E.R.T 
Now that’s a good one and different one 🙂 #myfriendalexa #fotwreads
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I was intrigued by the title of the post and so decided to read. Very well written! It is the life-cycle that has continued for generations, and will continue till human race lives. I sometimes sit back and think, if I will allow my kids to become what they want to be? 25 mein naukri, 30 mein chokri, 35 mein bachche aur 40 mein ghar… What if my kids dont want this life?
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The race is always on and it is so difficult to jump out and be content..
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Amazing Poem
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Thought provoking, but how many of us can really dare to come out of this vicious cycle? Hardly anyone! Beautifully written.
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Words are sailing smoothly in your poetry Varad. Loved it !
Cheers
MeenalSonal from AuraOfThoughts
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Hey, come on, things aren’t all that bad… or are they? Life is all about living your own life without being bothered about any other thing.
Arvind Passey
http://www.passey.info
@Blogchatter #RealFiction #ArvindPassey
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This sadly is the vicious cycle of life as we know it.
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Sad, but true. Thanks for commenting.
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It’s a vicious cycle! Just checking if my earlier comment got posted
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Got that too. Found it amidst the spam comments. Dunno why.
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You have aptly explained life. But the good thing is that we can very well opt to let it remain or change it. But unfortunately very few changes. It is a vicious cycle that goes on and on.
The Solitary Writer
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We are not in control of our lives, despite believing the contrary. Thanks for the comment.
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Wish he puts a full stop with himself and never passes the baton to the Gen Next. Wish he had exercised this choice, the vicious circle could be have been broken.
A true reflection of the sad reality of the society today.
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You said it. Breaking the vicious circle is near impossible as the ones trapped in it barely are able to look outside. Thanks for the comment, Anagha.
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Touching
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Thank you
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And his race continues in the form of worries for his son. A sad truth put so well.
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Yes, the cycle keeps going on entrapping the ones in it. Thanks for the comment, Ranjini.
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You discovered a penchant for poetry, Varad. Keep the fire going. The imagery is wonderful.
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Thank you for the kind words, Meena. 🙂
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what a poem on our lives Varad. Just loved it
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Thank you very much. 🙂
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I’ve always hated outside expectations. It’s like they are saying: I don’t like you as you are. Here’s what you should be. My hope with the ending: he wouldn’t have done that to his son.
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The sad part is no one has to do anything. It’s our life and times that dictate what we do and don’t. Thanks for the comment, Stu.
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Wow varad.. Wordless to say about this piece. I loved this❤❤❤
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Thank you very much, Deepa. 🙂
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