A Life-saver’s Pledge

a poem by Kamar Sultana Sheik

From fumes that choke and blinding smoke,
And red-hot tongues of flame.
My God, help me reclaim
The weeping mother’s heavenly smile
When her infant is lain on her lap again!

The aged faces that glow with Joy
One seeing their dear Boy
They thought was dying awhile!
The radiant faces of youngsters
Whose father came back safe, from the cinders
Of a deadly Inferno!!

From the clutches of slow cold death,
Grant me the power, that I may recover
One struggling, fleeing breath..
With my own Life-force may I make
One still heart throb, or one numbed mind regain.
The spark to live again!!

Grant that I may, save one life from ebbing away
In a tide of gushing blood:
Or one soul rescue from a ravaging flood..
One hurting wound heal, or one sore limb feel
Well enough to work again!!!

Grant that I may not pause, for this Blessed Cause
If needed, to make the Ultimate Sacrifice.
For Humanity’s Sake:
For In losing to win, true Victory lies
And a Martyr make!!!