OLD MAN:
They thought me great;
So did I- at the top-
From where
I looked down upon
The lilliputs below.
Like Gulliver my status swelled
In name, fame and wealth.
I stopped doing things
I was supposed to do.
I thought I had people around me,
Who were nothing but
A bunch of-
Sycophants, parasites-
Making me crippled
In my active days.
Now that I'm old
I still feel I'm great
With the remnant of wealth
And a dilapidated body-
That walks with support,
Breaths with effort
And feeds with caution.
No sycophant around,
Discarded by children,
Only my best friend -
My good old wife-
Keeps holding my hand!
WIFE:
I'm the great man's wife-
Obeying his wishes, orders.
I resented reflected glory
For I knew- I am not great,
And it won't last.
I walked when I could
Despite the fleet of cars,
Did the household chores-
Despite the helping hands;
Mixed with the mass-
Despite his rebuke.
God is gracious
To spare me-
Of physical ills,
Of mental apathy-
To enable me serve
The ghost of a great man
Without a malice
When it matters most.
I'm his wife
A common woman
An epitome of love
That never deserts
Come whatever may.
I'll remain
The great man's wife.