A Martyr Never Dies…

A mix of green and brown on clothes

Shirt, pants and a cap to don with

Legs saved by boots, a belt to match with

Rifle in hands, bullets in pockets

He is a soldier.

He knows no games, no consoles

Save the game of life and death.

He knows no joys save the joy of winning,

Winning by sacrificing.

His eyes have seen blood.

His eyes have seen degrading carcasses.

He is a soldier.

A challenge to death he gives

Defying nature, he guards the frontiers.

Terror, he knows not!

Fright, he holds not!

He fights. He kills. He saves. He dies.

He is a soldier.

Memories of home keep haunting.

Son shouting, “Dad, be back soon! We’ll beat Adi’s team!”

Mother weeping,” Don’t go child. Stay home.”

Father cheering,” Go ahead. Your country needs you.”

Wife uttering a silent,” Take care.”

Perched on a sand sack,

He is silently crying.

He is a soldier.

Day and night, dusk or dawn

Braving the cool breeze and frightening storm

Fighting the hot blows of air or snowfall

Facing every weather, every pall

He keeps vigil, the surveillance always on.

He is a soldier.

A battle breaks, a war is born

Scuffle all around, all his brethren are torn.

Blood oozes out.

Wounds and sores open up.

He never gives up. He keeps saving.

He keeps on. He fights valiantly.

He is a soldier.

Stream of bullets, rounds of firing

Explosion of bombs, arms tiring

Drenched in blood of comrades

He never ceases his escapades.

Battling his country’s foes

He sacrifices his life, his soul.

He is a soldier.

A shot rings through the air

Reaches him, rips him off!

In parts he falls, down in the lap of motherland.

A tinkle of shine in eyes

A smile on lips

All faces cloud his vision

Slowly, he shuts them down. He loses his breath. He dies.

He becomes a martyr.

Back home, the puzzled son asks,

“Mom, is Daddy dead? Won’t he ever be back?”

Amidst tears, the mother smiles.

“My child, your daddy was a soldier.

He can never die.

A soldier saves his country.

He saved us, he saved you.

He saved many like us.

He is a savior.

Oh come on son! Don’t you know?

That a savior never dies.

He only saves. He’ll keep on saving.”

Amazed, the little boy utters,

“The other day you asked what I wanted to be. I got it Mom!

Dad became a martyr coz he is a savior.

And a savior never dies!

I want to be that!

Yes! I want to be a martyr too…

Coz a martyr never dies…..”