Rhyme time
Wake up India

Walking all afraid, I paused to look at a house

Almost razed to the ground

I knocked to see a face veiled in consternation

Venture from behind the door’s creaking sound

And instantaneously, I got this uneasy feeling within

With her trembling hands

She tried to cover the wounded shin

‘Who are you’ was all she said

She clutched the knob hard

As her body shivered with dread

I saw glimpses of death and pallor

In those fearful eyes

No life of the past, no happiness

No joyous cries

I walked a few steps closer

She limped a few steps further away

‘Everyone is gone, till when is terror here to stay?’

Falling to my knees, I said

‘You don’t need to worry’

Even though deep within I knew

My condolence could never assuage her fury

‘Yesterday, they killed papa

Today, they shot down mummy

I won’t let them come again

Even if I’m alone in this

I won’t let their sacrifice go in vain’

As I walk the down the street

Blood coloured the roads

I saw lifeless bodies strewed all around

Dejected, as I strode

They seemed to say something

Through their silence

Glancing back at that house, it became clear

They wanted their revenge

That girl has woken up

What are you waiting for?

C’mon India, it’s your calling

We have to win this wa

Akshita Singh Tyagi, XI-O, DPS, R. K. Puram, New Delhi