Choices we make , need a retake?

We had dreamed of bungalows and new cars

Comforts health luxury to reach the stars

Good days and rich jobs hobbies and pleasure

A son and a daughter wud be our complete treasure

 

Bank balances vacations and gala functions

For better prospects off to new continents

Beach facing hotels dinner and stay at Hamptons

Shopping at malls buying few more apartments

 

Busy days and tiresome nights

Loans and EMIs sweats and frights

But we carried on this ain’t enough there is more

Endlessly trying hard to accumulate galore

 

Ageing parents back home and kids away in colleges

Friends few colleagues new alone now for ages

We got it all but apart now in different country

Then we realise we chased plenty all these voluntary

 

New lifestyles new laws, God forbidden if any emergency

We need to run applying new visas and change currency

Now we only wish that our family met often, could sit together

And not have so much to plan for that, it takes  forever

.

Reviews

[Marie]

How very sad when hopes are unfulfilled, dreams never materialise or come true and two people who love each other are so sadly divided by space and time. That is the hardest of all. You capture it superbly in this beautifully narrated story, dear Aarti. Excellent inking! Thank you for sharing...

[Aarti Sriram]

Hey Marie thank you for your words. Ya priorities in life versus big splits in family distance wise and eventually wavelength wise. It feels like a weak bargain like u say divided by space and time. Have a sweet weekend !

[Marie]

Thank you, dear Aarti. I too, wish you the same. Enjoy!!!

[Jeyanthi]

Choices are there as many, but all our opinions stays same and will be passing it to generations after generations... your poem reflects emotions that only some can conquer with deep understanding of lived life or living life... I 🤔 I must consider my Choices once again!!... all my cousins are behind their dreams and after few years they will all get settled and have family of their own... with cousins and sisters ( 5 all grown under same roof under joint family) it's always fun... festivals becomes just a chance to meet up...
Your poem and lines are transparency of reality... we have to slow... slow and appreciate the time we spent... making memories is always fun... observing nature more....

[Jeyanthi]

I still remember when the current goes off... we fan ourselves fast, and bet ourselves who can do till current comes 😅

[Aarti Sriram]

hehe.. nice thoughts Jeyanthi!
We get easily attracted to all that glitters. We fail to appreciate hardwork and disregard following such routes to make a proper life.. ya Jeyanthi as you pointed out we all have choices and need to consider then from time to time. How wonderful to have lots of cousins. When family members are happy with each other and kids and elders enjoy time together everyday seems like a festival. Be it in a small home or be it out in the wide open nature.. Going places and achieving the finest may always not be best CHOICE !

[Jeyanthi]

Yeah... you gave me idea... to sent all our memories in scribbled notes to them 😅 so that can remember well not to forget unity is strength... Yeah that's really good time... soon they will be back... it's because of our grandparents we all are next to next... thankful and grateful too.. 🙏 😇..

Smiles 😃 😊

[Aarti Sriram]

I cant agree more Jeyanthi, Scribbled but united memories! and Grandparents sure have such a magical thread to bind us generations together, . Happy festivities with your folks and enjoy!

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

it is a quite poignant poem about the death of the american dream (or indian dream, or chinese dream, there's the same sentiment everywhere). the social contract has been changed, and the hard-work/high reward structure has crumbled. which means, for many of us, our expectations may never be fulfilled.
our only hope is that a new world is created, one that allows us to enjoy life and bring joy to those around us. in whatever shape or form, if this dream can be fulfilled, we will not need to grieve no more.

[Aarti Sriram]

Thankyou Yoshimoto for sharing what you feel and putting it through your review here. Yes true.
read moreThankyou Yoshimoto for sharing what you feel and putting it through your review here. Yes true.
we as modern nations really need a practical education reform.
One that teach us to not tamper with natural resources orr exploit the vulnerable and which helps us with suitable employability.
Like you say, a peaceful society with loving families and a world order worked out by dynamic thinkers—philosophers, scientists, humanitarians….who have selfless goals.
For uplifting society and promoting a sustainable life fro all of us. So muh work remaining to be done and it is in all our hands as a family and as global citizens!.

[Dave W.]

I think that there is a lot here. Before the truth of life sets in, when we are younger it's so easy to dream big. Thank you for sharing this poem.

[Aarti Sriram]

Hi Dave ,thankyou for taking time to share your thoughts through your supporting review. Yes, Isn't it ?
Schools and teachers peers play such a foundation role in nudging our important choices. At a young age we decide the main decisions of our life and have to stick to it all our adult life mostly.

[Dave W.]

You are most welcome

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we can't take material things with us when we pass....as we age we do find the most important things in life are family and friends.....keeping close to family and accumulating good friends makes life most worthwhile as we reflect upon it.
j.

[Aarti Sriram]

Thankyou J for sharing your thoughts. So true , having loving relationships is being very fortunate. Hope we all learn this early in our lives that we have to devote time and enrich our relationships with friends and family for this. Otherwise life even with all the riches can feel very lonely!

[whitelightning17]

I love how you showed how wanting all of these things in life can ultimately lead to regrets especially when we prioritize material things and dreams over our real lives

[Aarti Sriram]

Hi and thankyou @whitelightning17 for your loving words and encouragement. Your review rightly reinforces it all . Life is so enriching if filled with our loving folks!

[Tumi]

your poem greatly explores the struggles for material success,
while showing how it leads to regrets, the contrast between ambition and togetherness is powerful,
well written, thanks for sharing.

[Aarti Sriram]

Thankyou Tumi for sharing your thoughts. Exactly arent we priortising wrongfully sometimes , hopefully its not very late.
Have a nice weekend sweetie!