Liberate Me Please! Poem by Madathil Rajendran Nair
Liberate Me Please!
(This poem was written on 29th August 2013. Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi has now unleashed a storm with the demonetization of high-value Indian currency and promised to go ahead with his economic blitzkrieg. I have, therefore, reason to believe that Mahatma Gandhi's prayer in this poem is becoming a reality. I wish all the best for the Indian State in the hope of better days and rededicate this poem to my countrymen in a slightly revised form.)
Am I failing?
Am I falling?
You placed my face on paper
And let it float without any respect
In the winds of international racket
Sold your soul in the market
And cried - it is sinking
It is in free-fall
All due to others' faults
Look my head once upright
Is now hung in shame
On both sides
Of the sinking bill
And who has time here to see
How badly my heart bleeds?
You are busy seeking alms
At the doors of outsourcers
Across the seven seas
You have placed the land's destiny
At the mercy of foreign economies
While at home I was forced into bags
Hoarded, buried in stinking rags
Beds, vaults as unaccounted stash
Unavailable to my children of the land
You let my non-violence to be faked
Across the borders that it fed
Gory terror and jungle-bred bloodshed
Destabilized the peace of the land
You pawned the brain power
Of your God-given manpower
For paltry pennies to Western masters
While you ruined your native vigour
Sunken deep in unethical mire
Staying closed in an ivory tower
Blindly believing things went in your favour
With the mercy of alien powers
Stop this please and return to your roots
Straighten your spine and string your boots
For the walk back to your nascent roots
Trust your brethren than you boot
Your faith on others who only loot
Liberate me from this sinking bill
I have nothing to do with your ills
Call me back when you are ready
To honour yourself with heads held steady
Invent your way to rediscovery
Knowing the new economies aren't worth a penny
When your past is a glorious alchemy
Adieu brethren, so long my friends
I have renounced my precious land
Call me back only if you can
Stand on your feet and heave like men
Chests raised full unto the heavens
Like we always had been the Indians
The verdict is not out as yet; as to whether the demonetization shall work wonders for the economy or shall derail it further. Whatever might be the final verdict, Gandhiji on the note have all reasons to worry. A beautiful poem which is definitely a reality check on the current state of affairs.
A powerful poem about redirecting economy of a country. Poet becomes a powerful thought provoking entity when he foresees the future and expresses his thoughts.What a great job you have done!
Mahatmta Gandhi is the symbol of peace.Gandhi's Head is on every Indian note.I like how you contrasted the peace symbol with the unethical and violent purpose Rupees are used by Money hoarders, tax evaders and corrupt practitioners.
To read such words heartens me. Hope springs eternal. In this writing their is condemnation, patience tried, nearly insurmountable walls of graft, greed and treachery by those that use national interests as a ruse to further their own selfish aims. I can't begin to pretend to understand the cultural, historical and economic gears and cogs that make up the nation of India but I am fascinated and full of hope and prayers for India and her people. You pawned the brain power of your God-given manpower. Your poem shines a bright light on those slippery creatures that manipulate and drain the national treasure. We hold the parasite in disdain and praise the brave voices that will win the day!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
8/2/2025 12:12:50 AM # 1.0.0
While at home I was forced into bags Hoarded, buried in stinking rags Beds, vaults as unaccounted stash Unavailable to my children of the land When I see the currency notes with Mahatmaji's head on it, i always ask myself if we are honoring him or disgracing him! I like the whole poem, especially these four lines....! Yes a lot of money is stashed away in hidden pockets.... Though Modi's decision has created a kind of havoc now, I feel in the long run, it will benefit our economy and prevent a parallel economy from developing in India.... How much of unaccounted money is hoarded by people.... Let them learn a lesson.....!