How to Celebrate Your Fortieth Birthday

Ravi is a traveler and foodie who loves to visit off-the-beaten-track places and understand the culture, history and customs behind them.

I recently reached the milestone of 40 years of existence in this world. And this haiku poem is the celebration of my journey, the joy after reaching my destination, and reflections on the after-effects of age catching on to me fast.

Fortieth birthday,

I climb the bluish mountain

loving the warm sun.

Distant winds blow in,

dragging along ladened clouds

winter rains have come.

Frosty winds numb me,

rain pellets chase me around

fog clouds my vision.

The sun disappears,

icy rains sweep the mountain

blackish clouds blind me.

I gasp in thin air,

as I push my tired muscles

to please my ego.

Flimsy nests crumble,

as birds cuddle to stay warm.

Heavy rains pound hard.

I climb the mountain,

collapsing beneath the clouds.

I am getting old.

© 2021 Ravi Rajan