Thursday, 11 February 2016

The Soldier/The Soldier's Mother

|| Hari Om ||


 Our soldiers risk their lives so that we can be safe. We live peacefully in our homes, only because they stand between us and danger. Words are insufficient to convey the magnitude of their sacrifice, as well as the anguish of their families.

Through these twin poems : "The Soldier" and "The Soldier's Mother", I have tried to tell the story of a valiant soldier leaving for war from two perspectives: The brave warrior, and the family left behind.

Let us pray for our soldiers, and honour their sacrifice.
Bapu! May my life, and my end, also be so worthwhile.   

The Soldier




In service to 
My country I
Pledged my life
And joined the fight


To protect the people 
Of my land
My family
They understand 

For today
I must now march
The clouds of war
Loom ever dark

My first step
I steady take
Then my hands
Do start to shake

How can I leave
them all behind?
What if my fate 
Be so unkind

That I never 
May return
For their faces
I shall yearn

I close my eyes
Chant His name
And my resolve
Stays strong and same

With firm steps
I forward walk
Not turn, look back
Nor stop to talk

Let them remember 
This lion now
Who left his home
With an uphled brow

Shed his blood
On his own soil
To save them all
From the turmoil 

With blazing eyes
And strong last breath
I see their smiles,
And embrace death !




The Soldier's Mother

Late that night
There came a call
That broke the sleep
Of one and all

The Soldier,
He was called to war
He could live
At home no more

He packed his bags
And firm in tread
Walked forward with
No fear or dread

But those that watched him go 
did weep
The tears hidden
From him they keep

The Mother thought
"There goes my son
I'm so proud that
My little one...

" Once so scared 
And weak in play
Gives his life up
For us this day"

"His hands they tremble
Yes they do
And only a Mother,
Can see through 

"That lion's mask
That cloaks his pain
But he shan't turn
To look again.

"Good, I'm proud
I shall be strong
For our home
In these days long

"Until we see his
Face again
Perhaps our wait
Will be in vain"



These thoughts again
Did cross her mind
As she stood by
His coffin side

Her hands raised
In a last salute
Her face so firm
And resolute

In Peace, The Soldier
He does lie
Shaheed, Martryed 
For you and I !


|| Shri Ram ||
|| Ambadnya ||
|| I Love You my Dad ||

-Arnav H. Tongaonkar 

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