CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE: a ghazal

THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE


THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE: ghazal—875826
[In memory of Lord Tennyson's master-piece.]


“Their’s not to reason why,
Their’s but to do and die”.

I read those words long ago,
But to say I am not shy,

That when through the pages of
My poetry book I pry,

The ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’,
Even now, does make me cry.

However, such response is
Unmanly, I don’t deny.

In a hail of cannon fire,
Soldiers were condemned to fry.

Yet, truly surged in their hearts,
Patriotic feelings high.

More than sacrificing life,
What else could they ever try?

But, Khalish, to today’s youth,
Such thoughts may look rather dry.



* A refrainless ghazal, written in 7-7 format. For information about ghazal, please see "WHAT IS A GHAZAL AND HOW TO WRITE IT?" .

* In honour of Lord Tennyson, whose memorable poem can be viewed at http://eserver.org/poetry/light-brigade.html


M C Gupta, ‘Khalish’
31 July, 2004