‘Mind the gap’, came out loud and clear
On the public address system this time
As the train screeched to a halt at Bank
London Underground, Central Line

Minding the gap, thought I
That’s what we do all the time, don’t we
It is the time between birth and death
And all that comes in between

Which we fill with anger and frustration
Joy, ecstasy, happiness and exhilaration
Tears and laughter flowing in torrents
Misery and pain hugging in vain

Sitting in a park one day
Was lost in daydreaming for a while
‘What are you doing my son’, asked an old lady
‘Just minding the gap’, said I

‘And how do you do it my son’, asked she
‘Really quite simple’, said I
‘Look for the dreams that keep you awake
And let them soar like a gull in flight’

‘Don’t bother about the terminal ends
Merely two events in a lifetime
It’s the gap in between that really matters
Giving meaning and substance to life’

Subir Chakraborty
20th August 2021