Meeting Netaji

 If I could meet you today,

What would you say?

Would you be proud? Would you be pleased?

Or would you say nothing – in sheer dismay

 

Would you still say, this fight

Was worth every soul that cried,

Eight decades since, our growth has earned

Your sacrifice some pride?

 

Would you still march, if you could

From the edge of faraway lands?

Would you still charge to Delhi’s gates

To deliver us from ignoble hands?

 

From behind the curtain sheer,

The Gumnaami voice may speak,

We need to fulfill our own part

Before we answers seek

 

Matters not what had happened then,

That time has long since gone,

What matters is where we are now –

Hind – azad, reborn

 

For, in every era, nations will rise

Kingdoms will also fall

A new Netaji needs to rise

When the nation gives a call

 

If we can all wake, understand

This time has need  for cure,

He’ll come back again in each of us,

In hearts all brave and pure

 

And even if not the galaxy,

But just a world we heal

Our long march will make a start

As the bells will softly peal

 

If he inspires us even today

To help conquer our fears.

We make his sacrifice be worth

His blood and sweat and tears…