Daddy’s
coming home today
There’s so
much excitement in the house
So many
people in the house and outside
Uncles Aunts
Brothers Sisters Friends and all
For days
together there’s so much happening
Everyone’s
just being so nice to me
But can’t
see Mummy around
She must be
preparing a special meal for him
Daddy’s
coming home today
Daddy’s
coming home today
Why are
there so many men with guns
I rush to
one of them and ask
Uncle why
don’t you fire the gun
Uncle are
these toy guns
Uncle my
Daddy also has a big gun, a real one
Uncle when I
grow up I want a gun too
I want to
join the Indian Army
Saavdhaan…thump
thump
Do you know
Uncle?
Daddy’s
coming home today
Daddy’s
coming home today
Now I find
everyone rushing to the front gate
Daddy must have
come home now
Hello there,
that’s my Daddy
I want to be
the first to see Daddy
But why are
you all crying
You are all
so funny
Crying in
happiness?
Daddy’s come
home today
Daddy’s
coming home today
What are
these men carrying on their shoulders
Looks like a
box, a casket
Wrapped in a
cloth of green saffron and white
Flowers and
garlands all over
What is this
you’ve got
Why are you
playing the band
I’m in no
mood to dance today
Till I find
my Daddy
Why this, Where’s
my Daddy?
Daddy was to
have come home today
Daddy’s come
home today
Mummy is
crying
Family is
crying
Friends are
crying
For someone
just told me
Daddy’s in
the box lying there
What is he
doing inside
Is it a
surprise he’s giving me
Is he
playing games with me
Daddy you
are home today
Daddy’s come
home today
They said
your Daddy lies within
He will not
come out
Not today,
not tomorrow
His bullet
ridden body
Lies inside
all cuddled up
He got 21
bullets on his chest
Far away in
the forests of Manipur
A thousand
miles away from home
Daddy’s come
home today
Daddy’s at
home today
The guns are
raised
21 guns boom
aloud
One for
every bullet he faced
Now they are
putting him atop
A wooded
platform
I walked
around with a broken jar
A wooden
stick they handed me
A lighted
stick was lowered to the wood
A huge fire
erupted clouding my Daddy
It’s Daddy’s
last day at home today
Daddy will
never come home again
A picture on
the wall
A garland
hung around the frame
An incense
stick burning
Daddy’s
medals kept with care
Uniform
ironed, wrapped, locked away
Mummy in white
Me in school
uniform
Studying
hard to join the Indian Army
One day I
will meet Daddy
Daddy I’ve
come home today
Make him
feel proud
Daddy’s home
with me
Today &
Everyday.
SS
I always luv reading this blog, this one really touched my heart!
ReplyDeleteI always luv reading this blog, this one really touched my heart!
ReplyDeleteThe first time I saw tears in my father's eyes was a day before I was to marry, till then he was my rock, the strongest man I had ever known and then I realized that the strongest man can become weak for his daughter. I still run to him for all my needs, and he still tries his best to fulfill them. A touching poem indeed, salute to all the fathers, who can never be replaced. I still believe My daddy strongest.
ReplyDeleteBereft of words...44 kids and families could have sung this song. The nation could have marched along
ReplyDeleteCalled him courageous, called him great .
But he will never come home again
Too profound Shibu. I am choked
There's same there's rage.. The kind I have never known before
They knew there was daane and had dared death... But it was too late to fight.. Too late
Poignant
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePowerful and poignant.
ReplyDeleteThis is the true story of most army families. After all the heart break they come back to serve the nation.
JaiHind.
Very powerfully portrayed.
ReplyDeleteOnce again reminds us that, we homo sapiens, considered as the most evolved of the living beings continue to indulge in the most pathetic deed of all - killing each other!
The love for the Army of the army families keep increasing with patriotism inspite of losses. The last paragraph of the portrayal is so powerful "Daddy I have come home today" shows that the zeal to patronise the career in the Army is a dream for many. It's something like "doctors son is a Doctor" .
ReplyDeleteDespite knowing that the life in the Army is not guaranteed, the mother keeps preparing the next generation by talking about the patriotic pursuit which may keep them alive or not. Hats off to such families that we are sleeping in our bungalows.
A Pont to Ponder
Why shouldn't an Army stint for youth between 18-23 be made compulsory?
No words ,,😔
ReplyDeleteHeart touching!! Salute to the brave souls and their family
ReplyDeleteTrue and very emotional. A big salute to all indian army and their families.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought of families of such brave men sinks your heart .
ReplyDeleteA very touching piece on the Indian army and there family.their himmat make them write the human emotions on a different plane. My respects and admiration.
ReplyDeleteGreat piece... Quite touching
ReplyDeleteVery Touching . People who really need to be recognised , who put their life and take care of nation should be first recognised . It should be that Armed Forces should get reservation every where .
ReplyDeleteEveryone's sentiment, we'll expressed. Sadly, the sacrifices are forgotten with time. Thanks for preserving the memories, the inspiring stories of Valor and bravery of the Martyrs.
ReplyDeleteI think after 'home they brought her warrior dead' , this is the most poignant verse I have read. I have a lump in my throat and years cloud my eyes. This is so so so very sad. Need I say more Shibu? You touched the chord. And oh, if only those who cause such mayhem could feel this pain too? And abjure three path of violence. Every soldier had a family that waits for Daddy to come home and may that dream come true in two feet with a rucksack swinging jauntily. May it please be that way!
ReplyDeleteVery touching and the emotions beautifully captured
ReplyDeleteTrue and Heart touching ...
ReplyDeleteTrue and Heart touching ...
ReplyDeleteJai Hind..Jai Jawan
ReplyDeleteCompletely touched by each words of the Kid. Sir, just thinking how depth you must have thought to pen down this heart touching poem...we are proud of our jawans...Jai Hind, Jai Jawan
ReplyDeleteRead this with a lump in my throat.... Here the child's description... but I've gone through the experience n seen brave hearts n my buddies/comrades going home wrapped in tricolour...
ReplyDelete