Real Independence - A Poem

Rinita is a creative writer, with focus on poetry. She delves into several forms including Haiku/Senryu, Sonnets, Free Verse, and Prose.

Background

As I write this, my country India is celebrating its 72nd Independence Day. Seventy-one years after the tricolor was first hoisted in 1947, this day has transformed into a mere Holiday for the country's privileged citizens. We celebrate it as a day of relaxation and enjoyment, and in doing so, we often undermine the contributions of the lesser privileged, who work hard for their daily bread each single day, with no Holidays, even if it is the day to celebrate Independence. Real independence is to be learned from them, who know that being able to work honestly and consistently, on any day, is the mark of being a true citizen of a free country. Jai Hind (Glory to India).

The Poem

“Tring”, the milkman rings the bell

At the crack of dawn, “It’s a Holiday,

Won’t you let me sleep?”, I ask

Says he, “I have another twenty to sell”

The daily newspaper arrives at my door

A slow breakfast, for its company

Afar, the delivery boy counts his cash

While I relish the news and more

The trash has no Holiday, so it seems

In no time, the housekeeping lady

Shows up at my doorstep, with a bin

Into it the trash goes, alongside her dreams

The maid is late, and I am irate

As I rebuke her, she defends,

“My children are performing, I had to attend

The beginning at least, at any rate”

I start up my car, towards the mall

Plans galore, to make it a grand Holiday

A day of pleasure, a day of fun

Freedom to celebrate, an order tall

Stuck at the traffic, a hospital I see

The doctor’s gone, except emergency

The nurse’s silhouette beside a patient

Toiling hard, so would fast recover he

At the mall, I get my nails done

By a pretty girl close to my age

She calls to another, “Take my shift,

Only I promised him I’d be free at One”

I return and park my car, my keys

I hand over to the cleaning guy

“My daughter won a trophy”, he beams

As he wipes the tires, down on his knees

The night falls, I curl under my blanket

Relaxed and ready to work the next day

I reflect on all those, who had to toil,

So I could spend a leisurely Holiday

Real Independence, is in their hands

Who work with honor, and honesty

Real contributors to the daily grain

Are the real people of my country

© 2018 Rinita Sen

Comments

Rinita Sen (author) on September 10, 2020:

Thanks again, Theblogchick

Theblogchick from United States on June 16, 2020:

Nice poem. Very well written.

Rinita Sen (author) on March 23, 2020:

I'm glad you see it this way. My poem, I feel, is accomplished when readers can echo my thoughts. Thank you again for visiting.

Laurinzoscott from Kanab, Utah on March 23, 2020:

Wow...truly reflective...and you are right to not forget those who toil

Rinita Sen (author) on October 05, 2018:

Thank you, Shannon. Yes, the strange thing about human nature is that the basic thoughts are the same, regardless of countries and regions. Thanks again for visiting today.

Shannon Henry from Texas on October 05, 2018:

This is beautifully done. Well written. I can't help. But think about it also applies to the US celebration of Independence in July or other countries. We would all do well to take time to reflect on things like that.

Rinita Sen (author) on October 05, 2018:

Thank you again, Kshipra. Appreciate you giving it a read.

Kshipra Pal on October 04, 2018:

Amazing !!! Very well written, Rinita!

Rinita Sen (author) on September 04, 2018:

Thank you, Hari. Appreciate you dropping by.

Hari Prasad S from Bangalore on September 04, 2018:

Beautiful dedication Rinkta, to all those who have to work everyday to keep our life rolling.

- hari

Rinita Sen (author) on September 03, 2018:

Rajan, you are right about the differences. It is difficult to change the social structure, but as fellow citizens the least we can do is treat everyone with respect regardless of their occupation. Glad you visited today.

Rajan Singh Jolly from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on September 03, 2018:

Your poem is the real truth of our country where the difference between the those who have and those who do not is so starkly visible.

Real independence would come the day we rid ourselves of bias, corruption, and hate. Truly, then, will we be liberated of our slave mindset and power the have-nots.

Rinita Sen (author) on August 16, 2018:

Thank you again, manatita.

manatita44 from london on August 16, 2018:

You are a beautiful Spirit! May Brahman bless you in the knowledge of Tat Twam Asi. That Thou art.

Rinita Sen (author) on August 15, 2018:

Thank you, manatita. I am glad my passion was readable within my poem. Rightly said about Swami Vivekananda. I hope his preachings continue to be followed in decades to come. Thanks again for visiting.

Rinita Sen (author) on August 15, 2018:

Thank you Mark for reading and agreeing.

Rinita Sen (author) on August 15, 2018:

Thank you, Ann. I am glad you liked my tribute. Thanks for visiting my Independence Day dedication.

manatita44 from london on August 15, 2018:

You began passionately! Your poem is passionate too. I was so happy to see East and West Germany unite and perhaps your country's separation could have been avoided.

Im glad to hear how you feel. Vivekanada worked so hard to uplift the Spirit of the country!

They are moving in the right direction. So Vivekananda was successful to some extent.

Mark Tulin from Ventura, California on August 15, 2018:

Yes, indeed.

Ann Carr from SW England on August 15, 2018:

Lovely dedication to the people that keep a country moving for the benefit of all.

Ann

Rinita Sen (author) on August 15, 2018:

Thank you, Clive. Yes, we do have a good cuisine. Thanks for visiting today.

Clive Williams from Jamaica on August 15, 2018:

i like india...nice people. nice food

Rinita Sen (author) on August 15, 2018:

Thank you, John. You are always so kind with your comments. The people of the working class make the backbone of any country, I believe, even though they are less appreciated.

I am humbled to know you shared it with your friend. My gratitude to Radhika for reading and appreciating.

Rinita Sen (author) on August 15, 2018:

Thank you, Kamalesh, for reading and appreciating.

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on August 15, 2018:

Rinita, this was a wonderful poem dedicated to the working class people on your country's Independence Day. I really enjoyed it, and showed it to another Indian friend of mine named Radhika. She said to tell you she loved it also.

Kamalesh Chakraverty from Sahaganj, Dist. Hooghly, West Bengal, India on August 15, 2018:

Excellent.