Respect .... My due ...

How you play with us, did you ever see?

At Seven, I had decided what I wanted to be;

I would serve you to the end,

All these boundaries I would defend.

Now you make me look like a fool,

When at Seventeen and just out of school;

Went to the place where they made "men out of boys"

Lived a tough life …sacrificed a few joys…

In those days, I would see my 'civilian' friends,

Living a life with the fashion trends;

Enjoying their so called "College Days"

While I sweated and bled in the sun and haze…

But I never thought twice about what where or why

All I knew was when the time came, I'd be ready to do or die.

At 21 and with my commission in hand,

Under the glory of the parade and the band,

I took the oath to protect you over land, air or sea,

And make the supreme sacrifice when the need came to be.

I stood there with a sense of recognition,

But on that day I never had the premonition,

that when the time came to give me my due,

You'd just say," What is so great that you do?"

Long back you promised a well to do life;

And when I'm away, take care of my wife.

You came and saw the hardships I live through,

And I saw you make a note or two,

And I hoped you would realise the worth of me;

but now I know you'll never be able to see,

Because you only see the glorified life of mine,

Did you see the place where death looms all the time?

Did you meet the man standing guard in the snow?

The name of his newborn he does not know...

Did you meet the man whose father breathed his last?

While the sailor patrolled our seas so vast?

You still know I'll not be the one to raise my voice

I will stand tall and protect you in Punjab Himachal and Thois.

But that's just me you have in the sun and rain,

For now at Twenty Four, you make me think again;

About the decision I made, Seven years back;

Should I have chosen another life, some other track?

Will I tell my son to follow my lead?

Will I tell my son, you'll get all that you need?

This is the country you will serve

This country will give you all that you deserve?

I heard you tell the world "India is shining"

I told my men, that's a reason for us to be smiling

This is the India you and I will defend!

But tell me how long will you be able to pretend?

You go on promise all that you may,

But it's the souls of your own men you betray.

Did you read how some of our eminent citizens

Write about me and ridicule my very existence?

I ask you to please come and see what I do,

Come and have a look at what I go through

Live my life just for a day

Maybe you'll have something else to say?

I will still risk my life without a sigh

To keep your flag flying high

but today I ask myself a question or two…

Oh India…. Why do I still serve you

Angela ....

She thinks I am innocent , just like a child ;

She is unaware , seeing her makes me go wild ... 

We left the room , strapped our shoes, ready to flee ;

Escorted her out , as gentleman as I could be ... 

We walked down the stairs, walked the lonely street ... 

Through the corner of my eyes , couldn't help but cheat ... 

My heart starts racing , a chill runs through my spine ... 

Only if I could ask her , forever please be mine ... 

What if she says 'no !' , heart broken I would be ... 

This beautiful face .. Never I would see ?? 

Mustering some courage , I stood up tall ...

Held her hand to begin it all ... 

She looked at me , put her arms around ... 

came on her toes to get our lips bound ...

The world went still , for moments few ... 

On my lips I felt eternal dew .. 

Did not care who looked or stared ... She is THE ONE , all I cared ... 

The big-eyed owl also hid in shame ; 

While other nocturnals went "oh ! What a dame !!! " 

She smelt like heaven , and tasted like bliss ... 

Jus did not want to end that kiss ... 

I opened her hair , her beautiful tress

In moments , her , I began to undress ... 

I took off her top and bra was unhooked ; 

At such a pretty pair I have never looked ... 

They were so soft , gentle I had to be... 

 Caressed and kissed , as enjoyed she ... 

I kissed her neck , her collar bone 

She tried hard but could not 'not moan' 

Her bare shoulders and her beautiful back 

Was getting me tempted to throw her in the sack ... 

Slowly moved to her gizzard and her navel shy ; 

To know these tricks no love wizard was I ...

"To go further permission I seek "

"No , not tonight ..." She whispered in voice meek 

With every kiss she reminded me ; 

Very far she belonged , where she had to be ...

 The words echoed of what she said;

Raising a tempestuous in my head... 

Let me live the moment & think of it late .. 

Don't worry sweetheart I believe in fate .. 

The one who made us meet; has plans for us long 

Otherwise why would he give us this feeling strong ??!

Kem cho ?? , majja Ma ??

This phrase kept playing in my head; 

As the sailing came closer which we dread . 

Prolonged sailing is in the plan , 

Captain announced with pride and Élan .. 

Two months plus it maybe , 

It may stretch further as I see ... 

The day arrived and we sailed out ; 

"For victory we leave , not a rout . "

Chests with pride and morals high , 

Every tide we'll survey ; maybe rock or Brie ... 

Gujarat greeted with chilly weather and browny water ... 

We jus prayed and hoped it gets a lil hotter.. 

The survey began with all it's zest , 

With morals so high the men never chose to rest ... 

The nights were freezing and days were cold ;

The streams choppy , ship pitched and rolled ...

Evenings , boats came back tired and weary , 

So exhausted, could not talk to their deary ... 

But next day morning , they again were ready for a ride .. 

Challenges awaited to be taken in a stride ...

 Captain promoted a very old say ..

Would make us dull , all work and no play ... 

The harder we worked , the harder we played .., 

Started enjoying the longer we stayed ... 

Mundra , mandvi , Dahej and ghoga ,

Yahan pe special Kuch toh milta hoga ?? 

Bajra rotis and paani puris had their own charm ,

More bridge top masala teas wouldn't do any harm.. 

Come sankrant and we all had gud and til 

We flew kites until our hearts fill ... 

Places we visited and made new friends 

Learnt their customs , taught them our trends ... 

Took care of all but fitness was a concern ; 

What should we do to make our calories burn ? 

Some hit the gym and cricket we played;

Golf and FIFA helped in the muscles we made 

We sweat together , together we bleed 

Like a big family together we feed ... 

Celebrated republic and also new year 

Grew closer together and more dear ... 

Soup on the deck on the starlit night.. 

Guessed and tried to get the constellations right... 

Now the work is done, for home we set sail ;

Back to our land , from where we hail..

This sailing will be really hard to forget ;

Very high standards , impeccable it has set ... 

Whenever down the memory lane I will go ; 

Fresh as if yesterday , all memories would flow ....