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The Departing Year

This night shall stand and stare with wintry rage
Through half-closed windows stained in loss and gain;
To measure all astounding feats and fame
Against those bitter tears in blinding rain.

The memories shall never wane with sight,
Nor lend to coming days a newer tone;
But serve to blurry eyes of aging time
A light to tread the path of life alone.

So let us bid this passing hour farewell,
These old, departing years shall hang on walls
Like splendid portraits of some loyal friend
Whose voice within our heart ascends and falls.

.

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Satyananda Sarangi is a young civil servant by profession. A graduate in electrical engineering from IGIT Sarang, his works have featured in the Society of Classical Poets, Shot Glass Journal, Snakeskin, WestWard Quarterly, Sparks of Calliope, Page & Spine, Glass: Facets of Poetry, The GreenSilk Journal and elsewhere. Currently, he resides in Odisha, India.


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24 Responses

    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Greetings, Russel Sir!

      Thanks a ton for this appreciation. As much as I can remember, there are three of your poems that I love the most – “Memory”, “Revelation” and “Wisdom”. So these words coming from you means a lot.

      Best wishes.

      Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Thank you for your comment, Sir.

      “One Afternoon” remains one of the few stirring poems I’ve ever read on SCP website. It reminds me of a similar poem that I had written on terrorism – “Through an Open Graveyard”.

      Always a great feeling to have your comment.

      Reply
      • Paul Freeman

        Thanks, Satyananda. It was an indelibly scary time, which helped to convey the event.

  1. Brian Yapko

    I am a fan of your poetry, Satyananda, and I find this to be a beautiful addition to your body of work. I love the image of departing years hanging on walls “like splendid portraits of some loyal friend…” Well done!

    Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Dear Brian Sir, greetings!

      Your supportive words have always silenced those voices that come down heavily on rhyming verse.

      Thanks a lot. You’re one of my favourite persons.

      Reply
  2. Paul Buchheit

    The year gone by should serve to light our future paths! Thanks for your thoughtful poem, Satyananda.

    Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Indeed. Memories say a lot in a few words.

      New Year greetings to you!

      Reply
  3. jd

    Enjoyed your farewell poem, Satyananda. I too, like the idea of the years as portraits on our walls. What would we remember without tangible memories of written words or photographs?

    Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Exactly. Even I was surprised when I read the poem for the first time after I finished writing it.

      Thank you for your thoughtful comment.

      Best wishes.

      Reply
  4. Satyananda Sarangi

    Indeed. Memories say a lot in a few words.

    New Year greetings to you!

    Reply
  5. Margaret Coats

    A lovely poem, Satyananda. The year-end weather of the first stanza is sad and cold, but then in the second stanza, memory serves as light to aging eyes. Then in the third stanza, memory enables us actually to hear tones of voice from a dear departed friend. This is an upbeat ending to a poem ending on the word “falls.” The piece well expresses both the sorrow of years gone by, and the true happiness that remains as their gift.

    Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Greetings, Margaret ma’am!

      Thanks a lot for your highly valued insights into the poem. You have always been here with constant support.

      Best wishes

      Reply
  6. Morrison Handley-Schachler

    Thanks for this Satyananda, a lovely poem with lots of gentle imagery.

    Reply
  7. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    Satyananda, a beautiful poem I thoroughly enjoyed. Like Brian, I love the image of departing years hanging on walls – the closing couplet is lovely! Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Alec Ream

    “Like splendid portraits of some loyal friend
    Whose voice within our heart ascends and falls.” – S2, I will have to send you a photo of my living room wall due to the incisive profundity of those 2 lines Brother. Excellent! Look for me on Facebook.

    Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Thanks a lot for the beautiful comment, dear friend. I will surely get in touch with you.

      Reply

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