Confessions of a middle-aged student

The urge to learn,
stemming from inadequacy felt,
battling with inhibitions
is probably hesitant.


Inhibitions prompted
when the salt-and-pepper
is by the green youth confronted.


Inhibitions come to the fore
and the drudgery of two decades tells
on the tired, rusted
and atrophied grey cells.


The old grey cells do strive
to move, to gather speed
against inertia, to come alive.


Add to that a dash
of the loneliness
of middle age in a youthful crowd;
memories of home
the company, comfort and warmth,
remember and sigh aloud;
and may be,a unaccustomed tear
the mind does a see-saw
between hope and despair.