Featured in 'AZADI' - A collection of selected poems dedicated to India's 72nd Independence Day. You can find the book at Wattpad India's profile.
I wish you all a very Happy Independence Day!
***
What is freedom?
I asked a soldier, smeared with blood;
When there are no wars, he said.
When I get to be with my family,
That is when I will be truly free.
I asked a student, hidden behind books;
When there are no more rat races, she said.
When I get to pursue my dreams,
That is when I will be truly free.
I asked a woman, walking alone at night;
When 'they' will stop blaming me, she said.
When I will be treated like a human,
That is when I will be truly free.
I asked a man, standing in a long queue;
When 'they' will stop oppressing me, he said.
When honesty will become the best policy,
That is when I will be truly free.
I asked a couple, on a date night;
When privacy becomes basic right, they said.
When love won't be compared to obscenity,
That is when we will be truly free.
I asked a farmer, standing near his barren land;
It is an illusion, a false dream, he said.
He walked away with a rope in his hand,
On the path that would make him truly free.
Liberty came to us at the stroke of midnight,
Seventy two years have passed since then;
Yet, we continue to live in shackles,
Of anomalies that are rotting our roots.
Today, when you unfurl the flag,
And sing praises of our glorious motherland,
Ask yourself a simple question,
Are we truly free?
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The Playground : Collection of Short Stories
Short Story- Formerly a standalone story named 'Free', Winner of Prompt #26 by ChickLit - 'The Playground' comprises of short stories based on writing prompts from various genres of Wattpad.
