The old man lived all alone
With a stick right in his hand
The stick that helped him limp around
On the earthly land

The man had a few days to go
And the old man wept aloud
To hear the grievances of old
Under the grey cloud.....

The stick always lend an ear
An ear only he could see
The old man told her stories
Of a happy family....

That used to live here someday
Right under this roof
The stick would then lay on the floor
Quiet and aloof.....

Much hasn't, changed since then
The stick still speaks no word
But the old man cries all alone
Marching along forward....

And then he needs his good old stick
To walk and limp around
But the stick deserted him that day
Bringing him to the ground



The Story Behind

Through this poem, I don't intend to convey anything. Its just a description of an old man who does not have many days left. He had the habit of talking to his walking stick. He felt like refreshing his memories-good and bad in front of his stick; the only companion that was left in his possesion. He was totally dependant on his stick which helped him walk around.

The stick had been a witness to all the colour and joy and happiness in the old man's life earlier and today, it was witnessing the dark days in his life. For the old man the stick was his friend for life. And the stick quiet as ever was a spectator to this situation until one day, the old man's hand slipped off and he could not hold on to the stick. The stick who was taking care of him for so many years had indirectly betrayed the old man. That brought about the old man's premature death. This is what the last stanza conveys.

The title, A Stick of Time, indicates that it is about a stick that has seen the vicious circle engulfing around a family and bringing about its end. The stick having travelled a journey through time. On another note, it shows how time teaches every person a good lesson and that we are all helpless before time. (Here the word 'stick' is used in a context which means a lesson.)