I No Kill....

'Here, take this gun', dad said to me,

He curled his beard with a look so cold,

A  rock afar, was all I could see,

'Now aim and shoot bravely', he told.

I cast a glance upon my dad so brave.

Long and thin, a turban crowned his head.

His sweating face looked intense and grave,

I fired the gun and did what he'd said.

The rock shattered, he gave a smile,

Proud yet stunned, I stood there for a while.

'You'll go places ', said my beeming dad.

As a larger gun, he placed in my hand.

He made me climb rocks, tall and high.

As the sun scorched the whole Afghan sky.

On dart boards and marked boulders I shot,

With each new rifle, the better I got.

Turbans and armour they gave me to wear,

I got bruised and scarred, but shed no tear,

I learnt to fight with no guilt or fear,

Rather with bombs and similar gear.

To fight, they'd told me, and never flee.

Now guns and swords seemed fun to me.

Dad indeed loved the fighter in me,

But was that all, he could ever see?

Once to me, dad brought a weeping man,

With chains they tied him, as per the plan,

Dad did give me an assuring nod,

'Now aim and shoot bravely ', he told.

The man's watery tears dampened his cheek,

 As I took my gun, pitying the man so weak.

But he begged and cried in a voice, shrill,

With a melting heart, I said, 'I no kill''.

I could destroy rocks, but no human soul,

From my shivering hand, the gun did fall

Angst and grief loomed on my dad's face,

As I searched my way through conscience's maze.

Dad raised his hand and slapped me hard.

I cried and cried but dad still was mad,

He picked the gun and shot that man,

As I saw cheers and laughs amongst the clan.

Rocks and dart boards shed no blood,

But the man's blood turned the ground to red,

A warrior I've been since my birth,

But in slaughter, I'd seen no great mirth.

Dad's thirst for blood , I saw that day,

I'd never want that thirst, come what may,

A warrior I am, but no slayer of man,

Beckoned my soul, to leave this clan.

On one fine day, some coins and a gun I took,

I ran away, past the mounts, to the brook,

Hunger, thirst and fatigue tormented me,

But far I ran, until they couldn't see me.

The chose the light in me, over the dark,

I chose the wise, shunned legacy's mark.

I chose not to destroy, as that's my will,

And all 'cause I'd said 'I no kill' .

Your choices make you what you are...

                                    

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