Lament Of A Soldier Poem by Vibhash Sureka

I don't understand Strategy
I don't understand Plan
I don't understand Diplomacy
Nor do I know Conspiracy.
I don't know: WHY WAR?

I know only the Drill
Left Right right left left right
I know only the war cries
Allah O Akbar!
Har Har Mahadev!
Har Har Mahadev!

Then why is it
It is
My Mother
My Wife
My Daughter
Who grieves.

Why is it my breast
That is pierced by bullets?
Is it because Life demands Death
The Supreme Sacrifice!
OR
Is it because I don't know
I don't understand
And because
I was born
low caste,
poor
And of a
Grieving Woman.