Hoisting The National Flag!

      Hoisting The National Flag!

It is a day etched in my heart,

Our 80th Independence Day,

As I hoisted the National Flag,

Infront of the school children,

Celebrating our Independence Day!

It was always my father doing it,

As a Freedom Fighter invited everywhere,

Or my husband unfurling the flag,

As a brave Indian Airforce officer,

Who once was part of the Kargil war!

And when I was invited to Goody Goody School,

For the Independence Day Celebrations,

I somehow thought that I am just accompanying,

My soldier husband who is the main guest,

Who would be hoisting the National Flag that day!

He even walked up first to be told by the director of the school,

‘Ladies first please’ and I got near to the National Flag,

And was told to hoist it as the children stood in attention,

After hoisting the flag, the flower petals showered on us,

The flag fluttered high and our National Anthem was sung!

It was a joy to see the little children sing so confidently,

So loud and clear were they, all sang it perfectly well,

Then they had a colouring competition with prizes won,

I gave them a simple message of responsibility and civic sense,

To keep up our freedom responsibly for the years to come!

©Jacqueline Lobo John

India