Patriotism Poem by RAJ VIKRAM

The nation is what?
Is it a mammoth whole where
the parts melt and become
a rockof redundant stagnance.

Or an edifice which like
an imaginary God needs to
be worshipped and sung
peans and platitudes about.

Or is the nation a brittle entity that can't
withstand dissent and that
which crumbles at the beck and
call of self anointed patriots.

Nation isn't a nascent entity
that needs nurturing by offering
blood of individuality as craved by
apostles of dumb divisiveness.

A patriot needn't trumpet from the
roof tops about his identity and patriotism
is not a craven worship at a
non existent sanctum sanctorum.

And a patriot needn't parrot lines
of inane and hollow sense of identity.
Nation is for the individuals
and not the individual for the nation.

Brush aside without trace the
notions of nationhood that tramples
upon the individual and spit out
potions of poisonous deviousness.

Thrive as individuals and liberate
the spirit of pluralism from the
bruising hands brandishing hatred.
Be a patriot devoid of patronages.