You, brave soldier
in army fatigues
somewhere in Kargil,
Drass or Batalik,
hailing from Rajasthan,
Chennai or Assam,
you’ve learnt to withstand
the bone-chattering chill
as you grapple up
treacherous craggy peaks
on a rationed diet of
hi-energy bars.

You, who brave bullets
and bite the dust
while hoisting
the tricolour
on recaptured heights
beating back an enemy
that has gained a
foothold
on our soil.
What praises can
we sing
that can ever justify
your supreme
sacrifice?

How can we honour your
dry-eyed parents numb
with grief?
or console your
anguish-stricken wife
whose belly houses
your unborn son
whose face
you’ll never see?

Oh mirthless day,
as the last post sounds
and the volley of the gun salute
echoes
and the plaintive cries ring out
as the pyre is lit.
We share a common angst,
we mourn with your loved ones …
and a nation
drawn into a war
not of its making,
grieves!

You died so
we could live
with the sovereignty
of our national borders
intact!
Young brave soldier
your death will not be in vain!
A grateful nation
pays homage and
salutes your
martyrdom!