*THOSE WERE THE DAYS*
So, there was a time, not very long ago,
And not that much nearer, I remember.
When we were carefree;
When nothing in the world frightened us,
Yet, everything was frightening, huge & new to us.
Those were the days!
There was a time,
When we faced unsurmountable mountains – with
no worries, no stress, no anxieties.
Days like those, I recall,
were full of happiness and positivities.
Those were the days!
We were younger then, the world being our playground
Where we all lived in our own worlds,
But were never Worlds Apart.
Those days, I recall, used to stick together – more than butter and bread do.
After all, all we had was each other.
Those were the days!!
But then, we grew up and went to high-schools,
And blasted into the campus,
Leaving behind the days and childhood games –
that once brought us joy and togetherness.
What do we have now?
Buddies that we call friends, whom we go out partying with…
just to cover the miserable selves of us.
The happiness we have now is just but fleeting.
The real joy gone, The real excitement we have withdrawn.
Life has become serious,
Everyone is in the rat-race for bread and butter…
We barely exist and the notion that we are alive
is the biological notion of oxygen and food.
We look at each other but not with the perspective we should
Now, take me back…
To that dusty playground –
where playing from dusk till dawn was our concern around.
Without a care about the world, the dirty uniforms, and the messy hair.
Oh! Take me back, now;
For these were the days… the beautiful beautiful days.
PS1: It is an old poem, written by me 3 years ago during the 1st lockdown.
PS2: Image Source: Google
This poem evokes a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for a time when happiness was untainted by the complexities and demands of adulthood. It speaks about the longing for a return to innocence. The poet yearns to go back to those simple and carefree days of her youth. The poem serves as a reminder to cherish the genuine moments of joy and unity that life offers.
The poem “The Beautiful Days” perfectly expresses the wistful desire for a simpler, happier time in the past. The poet thinks back on a period of time that was “not very long ago” yet far enough away to arouse nostalgia. The poem’s language paints an evocative image of a time when everything was “frightening, huge & new,” but still maintained a certain allure.
The first verse establishes the mood by contrasting the fearlessness and purity of youth with the anxieties of maturity. The remark of being “carefree” and having nothing to fear contrasted with the admission that everything was also “frightening” evokes the wonder and thrill of youth. The repeating of “Those were the days!” in the poetry “The Beautiful Days” emphasises the emotion of longing and underlines the significance of that specific historical period.
The poem then explores the togetherness and companionship that characterised the poet’s youth. The use of the phrase “unsurmountable mountains” refers to difficulties that must be overcome without faltering confidence or the weighty fears and anxieties that come with becoming older. The concept of living in separate worlds that were “never Worlds Apart” perfectly expresses how interwoven childhood friendships are. The metaphor that contrasts the intimacy of those times with the unbreakable bond between “butter and bread” further highlights the depth of the connections made during that time.The poem bemoans the inexorable passing of time and the journey to maturity as it goes along. The poet thinks back on the “days and childhood games” that once offered happiness and companionship. As the poet examines the genuineness and fulfilment of the friendships in the present, the difference between the past and the present grows more pronounced. The transition from “those were the days” to the depressing reality of “what do we have now?” perfectly illustrates the loss of youth and the disappointment that may come with age.
The poem discusses the fleeting nature of joy in the present stage of life and contrasts it with the permanent contentment felt in infancy. As the poet conveys a yearning for the genuine joy and excitement that have been withheld, the transient character of present contentment is underscored. The metaphor of the “rat-race for bread and butter” and the idea that life is getting serious illustrate the stresses and obligations that maturity places on people.
The poem ends with a sincere appeal to go back in time to the happy days spent on the dusty playground, when there were few problems and the main worry was playing till nightfall. The artwork conjures up feelings of ease, liberation, and innocence that stand in stark contrast to the difficulties of the present. The poet’s repeated cry of “Oh! Take me back, now” emphasises his longing for that happy period and his desire to portray the beauty and spirit of that time.
In conclusion, “The Beautiful Days” is a moving and evocative contemplation on the loss of innocence in youth and the yearning for the unfettered joy that characterised a bygone period. The poem captures the essence of nostalgia via vivid imagery and deep feelings, and it asks the reader to think on the transient nature of happiness and the lasting influence of treasured memories.