Star Wars

She bid him goodbye on that morn

wishing him safe journey to his call

to protect the nation against wars

Did the rituals demanded...

tied red roli on his wrist, 

drew the tilak on his forehead, 

in his parted lips gently placed

homemade sweets she'd made

He looked around furtively

to see if the coast was clear

drew her to chest kissed her lips,

her neck, her eyelids, chewed her ears

made her giggle, removed her fears

promising to return to see the face

of his yet to be born child.

Six months later a telegram arrived

stating all the men in his platoon

standing in a line of fire had died.

Bodies in coffins lay side by side.

Taking her son she stood in line

to pay her respects and claim 

the body of the father of her child.

No tears rolled down her eyes

for she had promised would not cry 

would not grieve for a soldier 

who is serving the nation had died

Remained stoic, placed her son

on his coffin, whispering to him

'Son here lies your father wrapped

in nation's flag, you too shall 

serve the nation like him'.