A RED VALENTINE'S DAY - (TALES OF INCLUSIVITY) - #WriteAPageADay

 

                                                                      LoveSove.com

Another Valentine’s Day has come round once more,

Red hearts and love songs, glorified notes and stuffed toys,

Romantic proposals on bent knees and chocolates galore,

Pretty damsels wooed by besotted young boys.

 

Three years ago, in 2019, on Valentine’s Day,

While the populace blew red balloons and exchanged cards,

In a place called Pulwama, an assault held sway,

As one dastardly militant swooped down on brave CRPF diehards.

 

An attack so cowardly, so heinous was planned,

As 78 CRPF vehicles along the highway did rove,

From Jammu to Srinagar, all equally well manned,

An explosive-laden vehicle into the convoy drove.

 

Forty precious lives were lost in one fell stroke,

Many more were injured and bled on the road,

Before they were rushed to hospital, even as the news broke,

Precious lives lost that the Nation could hardly afford.

 

State funerals were afforded to the heroes martyred,

Bereaved families wept, as their loved ones were extolled,

Candlelight marches and vigils as the remains were interred,

A Nation in mourning, as the extent of the tragedy did unfold.

 

Retaliations did occur, across the border and over many a hill,

Surgical strikes went in like lightning, lethal camps decimated

Of terrorists who huddled like vultures, waiting for the kill

As the leaders of the nation watched on with breath bated.

 

The glorious lives that were lost can never be recovered, oh, never.

The Armed Forces stay prepared, but the wounds never really heal,

These sacrifices should not go in vain; martyrs’ names should shine on forever,

Their deeds should be showcased, their dedication and their zeal.

 

However, as years go by, do the memories grow dim?

As people live normal lives, do they stop to think?

Of wars and skirmishes, of encounters gory and grim?

Of those days when the country was on the very brink?

 

On Valentine’s Day, right after the Pulwama attack,

A young girl was buying red hearts and cards to celebrate the day,

An Army jawan walked by, went on, and then turned back,

Unable to stop himself, he went up to her, to say,

 

“Madam, do you know it is the Pulwama anniversary?”

Pointing to the television, he continued, “Look at the news!”

The girl frowned a bit and continued her shopping spree,

“It is Valentine’s Day, and my prerogative to choose! “

 

Her words rang clear and the jawan’s eyes flashed fire,

However, being well trained not to react, he nodded and went away.

The irony was distinct; even as fires raged, in an all-consuming pyre,

Red Valentine’s Day was being celebrated in the selfsame way!

                                                                      Pinterest

(I must credit and thank Mrs. Jayshree Menon for the idea contained in this poem. )

 Word Count: 453


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