For Liberty

[anirudhb]

The earth stood still enough to take in the scene
That so mercilessly unfolded itself in pain;
None who noticed would have seen the grass green-
None, after all, could afford to sacrifice to refrain
And hold back hands and arms, from born to near-dead
That swore, without need to, to slay without death
Those who that sat on, the mouths that they fed
Under unwavering force that strengthened their breath-
This one gasp of air the old faller cherished,
Before traitor kin of his wield could rob him of life-
This one gasp of air before the young are blemished,
When newborns notice they are born into strife;
We prayed to liberty, we promised new dwellings
If only she bartered for a stay in one such
Afore they extract our blood for new tellings,
To leave us with not even dignity to touch;
We marched in anguish, but walked not in pain,
Moved forward in doubt, but 'course not in vain,
We knew not our future, yet in our minds it was plain-
Desert not tomorrow, lest it shall be brutally slain.