Ask Not Here Poem by Mehta Hasmukh Amathaal

Ask not here
'Ask not what country does for you'
rather ask what you are doing for the country'
John F. Kennedy asked and reminded
Country demands freedom and liberty and safely defended
this is what I had dreamed
and beamed my whole energy
to join the defense forces
it was zeal and self inspiration with the devotional source
what the country has not given me?
honorable living and free environment
to live with countrymen
with the good feelings of human beings
status of being ex-serviceman
respect and understanding shown
wherever I went, I got tumultuous welcome
reminding me what I had got when came back from service
no amount of money could grant
as I wanted
the defense services gave me real test of discipline
and an ability to prove and define the worthiness of human
I can only bow down my head
and read between lines
the country needs brave young people
who can stand by in country's struggle!
let the army be not chased
or an attempts be made to erase
their loyalty towards motherland
if so, such trend must end
Dr Hasmukh Mehta
D.Litt, Folt
World poet laureate
© Hasmukh A. Mehta