The Awakening Voice

Sitting by the window pane

Rushing down the meadows

A voice from deep inside

Soaked me in. And asked --

"Where's your destination?", to which

I wished to reply, but failed.

The voice continued, as if

to prevent me from speaking any further,

"I know not where it is, and

Neither do I aspire to.

Since I've no destination, but one

Where I never reach, nor depart.

For this my home, yet far from

Giving me a homely charm!

I know not, whether you are heartbroken or gay

And neither do I aspire to.

Since I have no mood, no feeling but one

That I never show nor conceal.

For it's more than feeling, my duty.

Albeit no working condition,

Yet nothing more to me than another day in office!

I don't know what's your profession, and

Neither do I aspire to.

Since I've no job, but one

That calls for me to do whatever's the need of hour.

Rather than My job, it's all for you and millions like you.

Yet I give my best, whatever the task is, though thankless and merciless.

I don't know what's your passion in vacations, and

Neither do I aspire to.

Since I've no passion, no pass time, but one

That constantly engages me with my duty. For my passion and duty are all the same

This my duty, that I pursue as passion.

I know not about your family, and

Neither do I aspire to.

Since I've no family, but one

That ceaselessly reminds me of my dear ones

For my life is duty and my gun possesses my spouse's beauty

And I've been taught to pretermit those who make up my family tree.

No, don't have any destination

Neither feeling, nor a specific job

I have no passion, no vacation. And --

not even a family, to make up my home!

Though, yes, I do have a human heart, that

beats as of any other man.

But even it has been trained from the very first day at my academy

To beat only to produce blood to dedicate to my Nation.

And not to show even the speck of softness...

So, I better depart now

Before my heart starts to melt down.

Just some parting words, comrade:

'Whenever you have a bad day,

Or you have to face the arduous side of life

Just know, we are there, somewhere by the windows --

of rooms with the sky as roof and a floor of earth.

Surrounded by four walls of thick forests or stringent mountains.

Where going to sleep is always a dread

Not knowing whether we'd cherish the sun rising ever again!!..

.

Now you get up, comrade. Wake up! And awaken the Nation...!"

And awoken was I, but lax, as if

life was out of me for a decade...!

Then rediscovered myself;

Still sitting by the window pane!

But now I was awakened; my eyes wide open,

Only to see a parting hand fainting away in the endless blue

In an olive green shirt sleeve

And rows of several other uniformed men

Gun saluting the parting hero, who bowed

And faded out -- ever awaiting a last glance ...

All I saw henceforth, were lush green meadows...