ON REPUBLIC DAY
my country's flag flies full mast
to the full-throated singing and cheer
it's great to have a public holiday
… please pass on some more beer!
let the school kids do the drill…
the national anthem is beyond us to sing
freedom took away the foreigners…
now elected leaders do worse things!
the pathetic politician waxes eloquent
in his superficial sermon
puffed up chests will wane… republic
day is just another occasion!
you see, it really isn't something
to be much bothered about…
in my country's consciousness, democracy
is plagued by doubt!
I can rattle off the problems and
fail to be part of the solution
it is sad but true that patriotism
is just a plastic emotion!
but then, why is that when India wins
that rises in my heart a cheer?
and why is it that when India loses
that I succumb to my tears?
a foreigner's abusive words may make
me see red…
but, in deed for my country, I prefer
to play dead!
I maintain my stoic silence as my
nation is raped and razed
it is just a piece of land… my behaviour
remains unfazed!
so what if I am a man of honour, so
what if I talk the lofty talk
how can I forgive myself when I can't
do the patriotic walk?
we have to take the initiative, by
each let this be heard
call it saving ourselves; call it
nationalism or any other word!
don't wait for someone to begin, it
really starts with me…
…to save my land, its people and
every threatened tree!
they are so few… those who grab,
loot and terrorise
we are so many and stronger… if
only together we rise!
Republic day belong to us… we the
public that is eager
to do what it takes to secure our
country's future….
Republic day is a time to make the
commitment again
to do what needs to be done to pull
my country out of the drain…
love for our country should never
be an occasional intention…
love for our country is when we speak
through hands-on action…
let each moment be where, together
we walk the united way
let each day be celebrated as my country's
Republic day!
---- Pravin Sabnis (January 2007)
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