Someone's Darling Son

Someone's Darling Son



Little over a year ago on one of Gujarati authors' (Zaverchand Meghani's) birthday anniversay a friend sent me a poem by him. It was  handwritten by the poet and  on original paper with all strike outs still intact.The title when translated read "Someone's Darling Son".

The poem is a lament. To paraphrase, it is about mortally wounded soldiers coming home. All are welcomed by cheering crowd. All, except one, are attended, caressed and comforted  by their respective daughters, sisters, mothers or wives.

One unrecognized lonesome soldier lays there unattended. No relative of his has come to claim him.

The poet, in the end, suggests do not write long elegy in the ashes of this unknown soldier; just say, here fell "Someone's Darling Son".

I used to know this poem by heart. I read it, remembered it and choked, once again.