I Have Arrived

When I was little I wanted to live in a mansion.
I thought I'd be overjoyed if I earned few lakhs per annum.
I had loving parents, a brother and so many friends...
all around me and I didn't have to pretend.
Still, almost every day when I went to school,
I wanted to get out of that uniform and look cool.
Finally, no more uniform as I attended college.
Of course, not there for gaining knowledge.
Just when I wanted to say, 'I have arrived',
Something in my soul still felt very deprived!

Pretty young still, when I got my first job.
I didn't quite fit in and just felt like a blob.
I dreamed of owning lots of make up and clothes.
And feel like a woman, in the prettiest stilettos.
Maybe some day even own a vehicle.
Nothing fancy, just a colourful car, so typical. 
Freedom and money.
Friends and honey.
Just when I wanted to say, 'I have arrived',
Something in my soul still felt very deprived!

Thought I'd find a partner, handsome.
Who would never give me up for any ransom.
And then we'd have a fancy marriage,
where we'd probably arrive in a carriage.
Complete our world with the addition of children.
To shower with much love and affection.
And soon after we'd add at to the clan. 
Oh, what a seemingly perfect plan.
Struggle some, to give them a good education.
And some valuable lessons to build their foundation.
Then worry about getting them settled.
Right until they are comfortably nestled.
Duties and responsibilities perpetually tending.
There will always be something that's pending.
At every bend, 
yourself you defend.
Waiting to say, 'yes I have arrived'.
But sweetheart, you merely survived.

Because life is a journey, not a destination.
It's not the ending, but the whole duration.
If you never cherished the journey,
and concentrated on the destination only, 
finally you'll come to a point where that's gone too.
Because in all that time, you unknowingly outgrew.
The destination is the same for all.
On the deathbed, to lie sprawled.
We are mere pilgrims.
This world is not our eternal kingdom.
Between birth and death,
Love, joy and peace - never forget.
Let's just enjoy the ride.
As long as it lasts, in your stride.
Savour this moment.
Live in the present.
Your presence here is just temporary,
until you finally arrive ....at the cemetary.

 Bon Voyage!
-RUELHA 
www.ruelha.com