The Martyr’s Swansong
Cloaked in apathy, far out of sight
For years, I steered clear of the light
Unstirred by pain, unmoved by grief
The days of freedom, a distant dream
But then it arrived, the dawn of truth
To show me how I’d passed my youth
Dismissing the moral urge to serve
Resisting the courage my nation deserved
With patience, I saw what I needed to do
The walls of doubt I must push through
I vowed to leave the foibles of past
For I’d found my life’s purpose at last
Now standing here, as fate has brought me
I bear in mind the lessons it taught me
My limbs are tethered, yet I feel free
For my head is calm and my heart is at ease
O hangman, fear not and do what is right
That fateful lever, you pull it with might!
For I shall greet this infallible end
As one embraces a dear old friend
O hangman, go on and do what you must
That fateful lever, you pull with a thrust!
For the noose may rob this body of air
But my country will never fall in despair
As every heart shall fill with pride
Instead of weeping upon my demise
Their voices shall echo the spirit of devotion
And the undying love for my beloved nation
About the poem:
It is believed that a swan sings a most beautiful song just before passing away. Thus, a swansong is the final creation by those who have arrived at the end of their journey, the last farewell after they have fulfilled their purpose. This poem is inspired by the tales of the countless brave souls who dedicated their entire lives for their motherland. It is an amateur but sincere attempt to convey the emotions of a selfless patriot reminiscing his life as he valiantly embraces martyrdom. I have always found the following verses from the movie The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002) to be thought provoking as it immortalises these martyrs' spirit and their extraordinary sacrifices for our country:
ख़ुशबू बन के महका करेंगे हम
लहलहाती हर फ़सलों में,
साज़ बन के हम गुनगुनाएँगे
आने वाली हर नस्लों में...
The courage with which they fought the tyrannical forces ruling unjustly upon their homeland, is worth remembering. They endured a myriad of pain and sufferings with a resolve that baffled their oppressors. For they knew their stories of revolution shall spread and continue to inspire affirmative change in people’s hearts for generations to come. The time they were yearning for would arrive soon, when their fellow brothers and sisters rejoice in an atmosphere suffused with the fragrance of freedom, both outside and within. This belief is what made them fearless even in the face of imminent death. Long live these martyrs.
Wishing you all a Happy Independence Day!
Glossary:
Cloaked: Hidden
Apathy: Indifference, Lack of enthusiasm
Vow: Promise
Foibles: Habits
Tethered: Chained, Restrained
Fateful: Having significant result
Infallible: Inevitable
Noose: Hangman’s rope
Despair: Hopelessness
Demise: Death
