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Sunday, August 16, 2009

The Martyr

 

I savoured my evening drink in my room,
as my bright fire shut out the gloomy twilight,
my wife and daughter peacefully slumbered,
and I smiled at the precious sight.

 

I was startled by a knock on the door,
there was someone out in the night,
I crept to the window to see who it was,
a lonesome figure stood, his face weary and tight.

 

“Come in and warm yourself,” I said to him,
“have a drink or two at the very least,”
replied he, “I have no need of your hospitality,
you don’t have to offer me a feast.

 

He bent and lovingly unwrapped,
a piece of cloth from his tattered bag,
saying, “This shall always keep me warm,
the saffron, white and green of my flag.

 

I’ve been part of many a battle,
I’d fight against one and all,
I’d kill a man or more,
to ensure this flag doesn’t fall.

 

Tell your mind to be bereft of worry,
have no fear, harbour no fright,
go back to the fire in your hearth,
for you and your loved ones will be all right.

 

I said, “But is there something I can do,
for you’re wet from the rain and sleet,
come, enter my warm home,
have your fill, and be replete.”

 

His eyes welled up with tears and he said,
Mortal things are no comfort for the soul of the dead,
value thy freedom, respect my sacrifice, and remember,
you breathe this air because, I fought and I bled.

 

Note: I wrote this one a couple of years ago, but never posted it to a blog.

19 comments:

SG said...

Probably befittingly posted in the week of our Independence, very well written, and very important to be remembered.
*here from Anuradha's blog*

Sumit said...

Thanks for visiting and commenting, Phoenix. :)

Saurabh said...

Wondeful poem, sumit!

workhard said...

Hey.. that was very well written..

Wish u a very happy Independence Day!!!!


Work from home

mystish said...

excellent..
another one of your oh-so-good write ups :)
tch.. wat do i say yaa? yours is one of the better blogs i follow(no offense intended to the others ;) )
keep writing man!
hugs

Sumit said...

@Saurabh... thank you!!

@workhard... thanks and welcome to my blog. :)

@Mystish... you are too generous with your praise! :) Thanks again for making my day.

Naina said...

and now that you did post it..a tear trickled down my cheeks. :(

Me said...

Sumi,
how can you evoke a sense of patriotism with so much of ease, which trained writers fail to capture?
you are truly gifted; magnificent par excellence.
Danke ^~^

Grayquill said...

I like your poem a lot. It brought me into the room - I could see it all even what was not said.
Great Job and Great Message.

A journey called Life said...

if i do not comment on any of ur posts even after visiting ur blog, please understand that i was trying to say 'wow.. that was so well written'.. its just that i keep saying this for every other post of urs and did not want to do so for this one as well ;)

Corinne Rodrigues said...

It's getting better all the time.......I'm calling Penguin! ;)
C

Roshmi Sinha said...

Excellent... and perfect for the occasion!

Why don't you publish them... seriously?!!

Sumit said...

@Dee... thanks a lot re! :)

@Grayquill... thanks for visiting and appreciating.

@Aparna... thank you. :)

@Corinne... you are just too kind! But, I do have a long way to improve before I think of approaching the likes of Penguin.

@Roshmi... no one would be dumb enough to publish what I write. :P

MothSmokeLover said...

Very well written. Keep penning :)

Sumit said...

Thanks Jal Pari. :)

N said...

i can safely say that i don't disagree with even a single person who has commented above. it is very well written and as always quite a delight to read :)

Sumit said...

Thanks Nikita. :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome buddy..as usual.

Sumit said...

Thanks Anonymous :) But why're you keeping yourself anonymous?