By Dr Kanwalpreet
THE PRECIOUS CARGO As the mean machine rises, Its blades whirring, Its wings cutting, Through the air, A silent prayer Escapes the lips, From many who Stand and stare. Parched lips, Beating hearts, Controlled tears, From eyes That avoid looking Into the other. Forced smiles, Shaky hands, Does the mean machine know, That it carries precious cargo? Men and women in uniform. The story repeats, Across countries, And continents, Uniforms that define soldiers -- Olive, green, blue, black, Soldiers who move on orders, Leaving behind parents, Spouses, siblings, children. Men and women who are soldiers Lug their heavy hearts, Putting up a façade of bravery, Stoic and composed. Men and women who as human beings, Are allowed to carry only memories, Precious as treasures from the deep. Men and women who cannot tarry, As they have sworn their loyalty, To their respective countries. Men and women who as soldiers, Move as one. Men and women who shudder, For any loss here or there, As each relationship Is very dear. As the plane lifts, Human hearts beat In the heart of the machine. Does the mean machine know It carries precious cargo? A father’s companion, For his twilight years, A mother’s heart, The loving mentor, Of their children, The prankster sibling, The loving husband, Whose hugs would be missed, Does the mean machine know It carries human hearts? The question looms -- Why these wars?
Dr. Kanwalpreet teaches Political Science to undergraduate students in a college affiliated to Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. She has written 12 books that include books for children as well as biographies. Writing is a passion and she delves into it frequently. Living in a male dominated society Kanwalpreet, usually, writes about the pain that women go through. Her book, Rings of Life a collection of 13 short stories tries to show the struggles of women.
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