Hidden in the Folds of Time by Edilson A. Ferreira

Osman Özümüt

Hidden in the Folds of Time 

Suddenly, on any given day, walking up the sidewalks 

    became more difficult; it seemed they were higher;

the noise of children and teenagers became louder, 

it started to bother you;  

your children have passed the line of youth 

    and you see them as middle-aged people, 

    almost elderly; 

that book or movie everyone recommends to you, 

    and after fifteen minutes of reading or watching it, 

    you get bored because you have already guessed

    the ending it is proposing; 

you have become different, more reserved, quieter, 

    looking suspiciously at everyone around you, 

    even old friends; 

also, that young and beautiful woman, 

    you never fail to notice and you see 

    with eyes of rapture and admiration, 

    even desire, you note she withdraws 

    and does not reciprocate; 

then you ask yourself – do people think

I have stopped 

    loving what is beautiful in this world? 

despite everything, you maintain your vigor

and fullness, 

    which they seem to ignore, so you have to learn

    to live 

    with a new status that has been granted to you, 

allowing them not to know or suspect that you had

a youth 

    much happier, one like they will never have,

    because time   

    and wind took it away, and it is hidden,

    forever and ever.

(Previously published in The Wise Owl, May 2025)

© Edilson A. Ferreira

Enjoy more posts by Edilson A. Ferreira HERE.

Edilson A. Ferreira

Edilson A. Ferreira, 82, is a Brazilian poet who writes in English rather than Portuguese. He has published two poetry books, Lonely Sailor and Joie de Vivre, and 400 works in various international literary journals. Has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. He began writing at the age of 67 after retiring from a bank.

Follow Feed the Holy