As every child he too was full <br />Of pranks and fun and play; <br />With vibrant eyes and vibrant hands <br />He made his childhood gay. <br /> <br />A rebel raised his voice in him <br />When just a little lad! <br />His compassion for the weaker ones <br />Had made him bear the bad. <br /> <br />With sacred thread upon his chest <br />He mingled with the low; <br />And though at this his father would <br />Lo, treat him as a foe! <br /> <br />With silver spoon in mouth though born <br />This sturdy, stubborn child – <br />He ate at times with servant boys <br />And made his father wild! <br /> <br />And as he grew into a youth <br />The fights in him too grew; <br />And as he would to none subdue <br />For him more fights were due. <br /> <br />His father wanted him for law <br />His estates to maintain; <br />He wanted medicine instead <br />To relieve others’ pain. <br /> <br />But lo, in this his father won <br />And thought he tamed his son! <br />But oh, the spirit deep in him <br />Its vision could not shun! <br /> <br />And so as days and years went by <br />With strength to break away <br />His share of power and pelf he gave <br />And walked away one day! <br /> <br />To beaten lives and shattered souls <br />A pilgrimage he led; <br />And armed with love and sacrifice <br />He fought his way ahead! <br /> <br />Tradition, custom, time and all <br />Defied he with reason! <br />Against all narrowness and fears <br />A battle great he won!<br /><br />Kannan G<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/c-baba-amte-1994-the-rebel/
