A Man’s Dilemma Which Is Never Solved

He is expected to be strong
emotionally at least, if not physically
graceful in strength and in facing storms
calm in demeanour
when the world around him comes alive
cunning, calculating, and shrewd
in everyday life
warm and comforting
with wide open arms
he needs to be tolerant too
when moods around him sway
violently
between bright, angry, and sad

And yet, a man, when honestly asked
and without any fear of reprisal
will convey, in one word,
what he wants

Silence

A silence that says nothing
absorbs everything
and cuts him off for a moment’s few
from all his storms
a silence that’s comforting,
or in a quiet way, exciting
it can be cold or hot,
or infused with
just enough warmth.
Freezing cold too would suffice

But in truth,
any silence will do,
as long as it is
truly silent.

It need not be warm,
or comforting,
or exciting
all at once,
or even one of these,
or none at all.

If it is silent,
it is enough
for any man

©️ Shashikant Dudhgaonkar