WHILE I LOVE SO DEARLY MY WIFE
HE HAD PARTED FROM POOR HER IN LIFE

WHILE I ADORE MY CHILDREN THREE
HE HAD JUST WALKED OUT OF THEM TO BE FREE

WHILE I HAVE MY PARENTS STAYING WITH ME,
HE SENT THEM TO THE OLD AGE HOME SAYING "NOT ME"

WHILE I PLAY WITH MY PET ANIMALS ALL AROUND
HE ENJOYS HUNTING AND FELLING THEM DOWN

WHILE I HAVE THOSE MORTGAGES HEAVY ON MY DROOPING SHOULDERS
HE HAS THOSE MERIT MEDALS THAT HE HAD WON AS A PROUD SOLDIER *

I LIVE WITH MY FAMILY, ALL IN THAT SMALL YONDER HOUSE
AND HE LIVES ALL ALONE IN THAT PLUSH PENTHOUSE

WELL THAT BOTH LOVED OUR COUNTRY* SO DEAR
ON THIS COUNT LET THERE BE NO DOUBT HERE

BUT THEN WHILE MY LOVE WAS NOT AT THE COST OF MY COUNTRY
HIS LOVE SEEMED AS IF, AT THE COST OF HIS FAMILY TREE.

AND HERE PERHAPS EXISTED ALL THOSE DIFFERENCE IN US
THAT MADE TO LIFE THE TRUE DISTINCTION BETWEEN US

OH ! WHAT AVAIL THE LOVE THAT'S ACHIEVED AT SUCH A PRICE?
IF IT'S AT THE COST OF NOT BEING TO YOUR KITH AND KIN JUST NICE.

(The reference to the PROUD SOLDIER and COUNTRY are just symbolic to this allegory)

MOHAN PRASAD
Mohanprasad04@yahoo.com