The triumphant soldier

The triumphant soldier

Its not so long ago when I met this triumphant soldier

and now meeting him again after 40 years

but memories are still fresh

yet 40 years is not so a small span

meeting a war hero from the own place

whose name was heard on the All India radio

for his heroic acts

The victorious soldier

who by his strategy and war skill

had ruthlessly slaughtered hundreds of enemies

whom he had no enmity with

Even today he is holding the same medal on his chest

but does not exactly remember now

whether it is PARAM, MAHA or just VEER Chakra 
(medal of Supreme hero, great hero or just the hero)

He was not unhappy with life

just little worried

worried about the running around

for the widow pension of his daughter-in-law

the wife of his martyred son

who became a martyr without fighting a war

but fighting the snow storms at the NEFA's Himalayan heights

the widow of that son

who joined the army on father's foot step

that is what most parents want

he feels now that children must not be shown just the traveled paths

but must be encourage to invent the new one

The widow of his that son

whose children are proud of his martyrdom

but the cries of the stomach overshadow the pride

they seek just one blessing from all the Gods

-- the clearance of their mother's widow pension

But the triumphant soldier manages the family with his pension

Passing the time too is not a problem for him

he keeps remembering the faces of the victims of his war heroism

the enemies whom he killed with impunity

he remembers the faces of unknown enemies

whom he had nothing against

But the boss had told that they are the nation's enemies

And the enemy has no human rights

In the same way as the soldier has no right of non-compliance

To define and identify the enemy is not the prerogative of the soldier

But the task of all knowing all mighty high command

the product of its intense knowledge of enemy-ethics

But this time when he began to talk about the triumph

The lines of pride had become invisible

or were covered and concealed under the wrinkles of the guilt conscience

Even the slain enemies were looking humans

Spoke with an air of wisdom

That though it was no use saying now

that he should not have killed the enemies

The enemies who he had no enmity with

But he would certainly tell this to the children of his martyred son

And also tell them that soldier never wins

As long as the enemy is identified by the rulers

He shall triumph only when he identifies his own enemy.

[Ish Mishra/22.05.2015]