Netaji – A Paradigm Of Bravery!

By Swarnavo Ghosh

The foreign storm of spears and lances on the Indian soil

Shrilling and sizzling through the wounded skies - a turmoil;

The harnesses and the spite-filled swords hacking fists and thighs

Clashing and clinking through the roiling skies;

The plagues of beasts splashing fountains of berry-red blood

The wounds gaped; the fetid air mercilessly sprayed with the flood.

A thousand lives shrouded in utter dark hues.

Yet love for the sacred motherland did not ebb out

For a harmonised psyche; an intrepid hero so dauntless,

With his ever resolute and doughty ‘Fauj’

Made those ‘dregs of humanity’ sleep beneath the sod.

The bright deaths quivered at the tyrants' throats;

"Give me blood and I will give you freedom."-

Resonating so loud amid the mordant corpses-- those bloodcurdling loads.

An entrancing medley of veracity and audacity

Shining through the fountainhead so bright;

And buoying up the terribly impaired souls - a balmy sight!

Could you figure out who the gallant figure is?

None but 'Netaji' and his determined 'Azad Hind Fauj'.

A glimmer in all eyes; an inspiration to many;

Loved the sacred soil to bits not even for a penny.

Greaves and cuisses dashed, drops of on-set spilling over;

The ‘Tiranga’ still flying resplendently high and stout

Amid the squeals and snarls of the foe so loud.

‘Tis the valour of the indomitable spirit, the mightiest of men

On a marrow-freezing ground anointed with gore and entrails;

Reflecting a dazzling effulgence of hope that entails.

The tormented Indians moving into a new epoch

With his thrilling slogans like "Jai Hind" and "Dilli Chalo".

A million souls draped with emotions --

A perfect marriage of patriotism and love within.

A million minds illuminated with the need of complete independence;

A salve from the British superintendence.

A sun-like conflagration forged within

Of courage and determination in the youth so delighted,

Amid the shrouded mire of hope that’s relighted.

The reverent soul that had whispered adieu to the motherland

In such a soft, low and silky tone hard to hear.

"Netaji, why did you pass beyond the veil, leaving the

motherland childless?"

A million sobs coalescing into an anguished cry even today hopeless!

A wish of many to bring back the luminary

From those pearly white gates in the infinite so heavenly.

But you know, I know, that's far-fetched in this mortal world.

However, he reigns over the kingdoms of a million hearts – a

scintillating pearl!

A wholesome product of the Mother Earth so kind;

An amalgam of nobility and solicitude, so fine!

A golden lumen of light, so dazzling ever!

An unparalleled inspiration to all forever!

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By Swarnavo Ghosh