This is a reflective poem that personifies time—or aging—as a quiet intruder who slowly steals moments, memories, and people we cherish.
The poem explores the sorrow of loss, the fading of youth, and the quiet erosion of life’s brightness. Yet at its heart lies resilience: a reminder that while time takes much, it cannot touch our deepest love, hope, or courage.
This piece is a tribute to strength in vulnerability and the beauty of holding on to what truly matters.
The Silent Thief of My Life
He came with neither sound nor call,
No thunderclap, no footstep small.
He crept through dreams where hopes once lay,
And piece by piece, stole light away.
He did not break, he did not shout;
He simply turned my fire out.
The songs I sang, the stars I chased—
He brushed aside and left no trace.
Some days he takes the ones I love
And leaves a hole I can’t remove.
I watch old faces fade from view—
Silent thief, what will you do?
He slows my step, he clouds my gaze,
Turns vibrant summers into haze.
Yet in the hush he brings to me,
I find my deepest memory.
For though he filched my hour and day,
He cannot steal the things I pray:
The love, the hope that linger on—
When night has come and friends are gone.
So while he stalks each breath and year
And leaves behind both loss and fear,
I’ll walk with courage, hold life tight,
And meet the silent thief of my life.
(Vijay Verma)
www.retiredkalam.com
Categories: kavita
Retiredकलम 
A profoundly moving piece, Verma ji. You have given a face to the quiet, inevitable passage of time, not as a monster, but as a ‘silent thief’ whose work is felt in the gradual dimming of our light. The sorrow of loss is palpable in your lines—the fading faces, the clouded gaze, the stolen songs.
Yet, what truly elevates this poem is its powerful resilience. The final stanzas are a magnificent declaration of the human spirit. You remind us that while time can claim our days and our youth, the core of who we are—our love, our hope, our courage—remains unassailable. This is a beautiful tribute to holding on to what truly matters in the face of everything. Thank you for sharing this profound and beautiful reflection.🤝
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“Your words have touched me more deeply than you know.
Thank you for reading the poem not just with your eyes, but with your heart.
The way you’ve captured its essence—the quiet grief, the soft surrender,
and the unbroken resilience—means more to me than I can express.
If the poem carries any strength, it is because of readers like you who illuminate its meaning with such sensitivity and grace.
Grateful for your generous reflection and for the respect you’ve shown to the spirit behind the lines. 🤝✨”
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A wonderful poem about time and aging.
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Thank you so much for your kind words.
I’m truly glad the poem resonated with you.
Time and aging touch all of us in subtle, powerful ways, and it means a lot to know the emotions found a home in your heart.
Grateful for your appreciation.”
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very nice .
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Thank you so much.
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Very well penned and perfect for our point in life. Age can only steal our joy, if we let it. Friends, family and pursuits can keep us going and give us joy and hope. Have a great day. Allan
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“Thank you, Allan. Your words carry such truth—age may change many things,
but it never has the power to dim a heart that chooses joy, connection, and purpose. Grateful for your insight.
Wishing you a wonderful day filled with the very hope you speak of.”
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Quietly powerful Vijay. I was almost brought to tears 😢
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Thank you so much for saying that.
It means more than you know. If the words touched you even for a moment, I’m truly grateful. 🌸🙏
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