Orphanizers (Demilitarization Sonnet, 1303) | Abhijit Naskar | Visvavatan: 100 Demilitarization Sonnets

Show me a nation with a huge defense budget,
I’ll show you a demented nation.
Show me a nation with a big education budget,
I’ll show you a nation of the future.

Disband the soldiers, empower the teachers,
Thus you plant the paradigm of peace.
Abolish all pride in nation’s military,
Thus you emerge as maker of peace.

The real warmongers of the world are,
Not the world leaders, but the civilians,
Who can’t think past the strength of military,
Who take pride in a genocidal arsenal of weapons.

With such civilian primitiveness rampant in society,
No conference can ensure the promise of peace.
If you really want to ensure peace on planet earth,
Denounce all politics and democracy militarist.

Stop taking pride in your national military,
That very pride floods the world with orphans.
Amidst the herd of widowmakers and orphanizers,
Wake up alone, and slogan for demilitarization!