I looked down a high cliff
at a restless ocean below,
I climbed the proud mountains
crowned with lofty clouds,
I reached the serene jungles
sitting in silent pride,
I did not find it...
I visited the richest nawabs
in their castles and towers,
I ate with the lowliest creatures
whom language didn't own,
I met the right-hands and mouths
of Gods we know from pages,
yet, I didn't find it...
At last, lost in thought
I walked by a crowd
Some in white, some in black, some in uniform.
All turned to a majestic but still figure
In an honored embrace of the Tricolour
Twenty-one guns and croaking crows later
I heard a little girl's cry -
"Keta 9GR ko ** ke hoena" - ** ** **
The tears never ceased,
The roar never stopped
With faltering steps, the brave-heart...
There.
I found it,I found inspiration.
(Refer to the notes)
** ke hoena - ** ** ** (was he or was he not - he was was was) is the battle cry of the Gorkha regiment of the Indian Army to honour the martyred soldiers.
This piece is inspired by the final salute an 11-year old gave to her martyred father - "keta 9 GR ko ** ke hoena" (was this boy/youth from 9 GR or not, GR refering to Gorkha Regiment)
For more - (http://on.fb.me/1DdQriw)