Honour

K.V. RAGHUPATHI

“Honour to you ...”
The Brigadier cheered lustily,
in the hall adorned by men and women dressed sprucely and elegantly,
amid thunderous plaudits and clappings as they echoed and reechoed.

The young man, aged thirty,
tall, lanky, brown,
handsome though not charming,
walked uprightly displaying dignity.
between the rows of seated men and women
with a black box in his hands he carried.

Before Brigadier
he stood saluted.

“Honour to you for your exemplary bravery and courage ...”
As the doughty Brigadier outstretched,
from his hands dangled the sparkling gold disc medal, crimson ribboned.

On seeing it
the young man composed, grave
stood in utter silence
as never before in his life.
His looks sullened.

With vigour and force like the gushing forth water
he spluttered from the depth of his heart
much to the astonishment of all:

“... I refuse to adore my body, mind, soul sparkling
with your/medal,
for I now surrender disillusioned and disenchanted
to you my arms and dress bundled in this black box.
I resign henceforth

for I am transformed and enlightened.
My heart now so strong as never before
willed against shedding blood any more,
for I can no longer see with my own glaring eyes
human blood spilled on the ground
the inhuman, brutal sacrifice at the tup of bullet ...”