On a Busy Highway, I Parked on the Fastest Lane

As today,

I find it awkward to do many a things,
that I used to do years back;

Like riding a bicycle, with my hands off the
handlebar,
or a skateboard through a cheering crowd,
or whistling in a movie hall.

Though nothing has changed much,
the places are same- old and familiar,
the seasons known and soothing, too.
But all that makes the difference is
a group of friends who've gone lethargic
and,
these gray hair that have suddenly outgrown my black crop.
The skin is wrinkled like crumpled paper,
and the joints are shaky and unreliable.

From raw sugarcanes,
I've gone to porridge.
And, from football to monopoly.
I mean, that isn't exactly my taste;
it had never been so tamed and sitting,
but, these children
they drag me in saying,
"Grandpa! Grandpa!"

How do I refuse them,
they're good company in my loneliness
who don't ask for favors other then
a few stories from time to time, which I boast
with my skills of the youth.

The older one is 21, and he
has made his own circle.
He rarely stops by me.
I see in him, my good old days
running and hurrying, shouting and clapping.
Only sometimes to demand money,
he makes an appearance
and then with that money,
he is gone all again,
for a week at least.

Sitting amongst these walls,
staring at myself on the mirror
I often go back to my past,
those carefree days, that beautiful youth.
Where there were girls and bikes,
cars and casinos,
friends and trips,
steep slopes and hilltops.

And just then,
this sudden realisation
that you're standing ahead of 70 years.
I do not remember crossing them,
at least
not
SEVENTY TIMES.

Then when did it happen?
I mean it was just yesterday-
When on a busy highway, I parked on the fastest lane
just to check my luck.

...and see, I survived.