The Sentinel

By Manoj Kumar

The Sentinel

I stand alone under the glittering stars

Miles away from civilization, roads and cars

It could be snow, jungles or the desert sand

But I am watchful, vigilant, with a gun in my hand

Far away in the night, my little baby cries

My wife looks alive but every second she dies

Not knowing if I will return with gifts in a bag

Or as a gift to my nation, in a body bag

My eyes though alert belies a heart empty

With occasional visions of my friends and family

My ears strain to hear the cooing of my new born

But even that doesn't deter me from doing my duty sworn

My grit doesn't waver even when there's war around

When the tranquility is broken by gunfire's sound

I stand firm in my resolve to protect this nation

Every animal, every tree, every citizen

When peace is brokered, nature steps in

Testing me, my mettle, my will to win

I never leave behind even a dog stray

My human values, beneath my uniform, on display

I am told the nation resounds today with ungrateful talking

Bad mouthing me on another power's bidding

But these voices don't matter to the likes of me

You may be a prodigal son, but you are family

So make noise, rejoice, enjoy your liberty

While I leave no stone unturned in protecting thee

Till there's life in me I shall stand tall

Ensuring that this nation will never fall

In return I ask nothing; no awards, no glory

No recognition, no remembrance, no reference in history

My duty is to my motherland and her I shall protect

My chest will be a wall to every bullet

By Manoj Kumar