The Unknown Soldier Poem by Haridas Nair

The humble soldier, upon his demise
In the midst of the mines galore
Stood erect before the almighty god
Giving a salute straight as an arrow.

Welcome son, what have you earned
To claim a place in this heavenly abode?
Or should your place be in the dungeon below
‘cause that's where the atheists stay.

Ogling at the dignitaries around,
the squaddie gazed at his sweating face
in the shiny shoes and brass apparel
mumbling regrets for the unsaid prayers.

"I was a slayer shield for the innocent lives
I carried no cross but guns,
Nasty words I did use than words of pity
Not for me, my lord, but for the innocents around."

"Lord, I sought no help from you, ‘cause seconds counted
In the blood and muck, though I suffered in shivers.
Silent tears I did pour on the compelling killings
For, failing my duty was last on my cards"

"Outcast I was for these masters around,
Except in the hours I was on guard when they slept
Peaceful in the recall of my vigilant presence
For, I carried the guns and they, the cross."

Satiated was I in the sweet scent of their kitchens, my lord
Assured, that my duties earned the bread for my family.
I had my daily baths in muck with no regular prayer, my lord
‘Cause I was guarding their rooms of bath and prayer."

"So be it, my lord. Earn I did no claim here,
Send me to the worst dungeon to continue another duty."
Two hands of love gently leading to the golden throne,
"here's where you belong, son, for my claim is down."