I sit by the window, sipping my morning tea
“Where did the decade flee?”, Oh, what a pity!
“It’s time to pack”, the black boxes seem to scream
The posting has come, no, it’s not a bad dream.
Choosing a major I loved, was how the decennium began
Friends, fun, and frolic a go-go, while I still programmed.
Campus interviews and job offers, I had in hand
My dream company I joined, just like I planned.
Along came my man in Olive Green
His eyes made my breath catch and his smile gleamed.
Little did I know what I’d signed up for, oh, Geez!
‘Cos this life was different as chalk and cheese.
“Aunty, you’re so pretty!“, a 21-yr-old said
“Don’t call me that”, I wanted to stress
This is only the beginning, my husband whispered
There’s so much to learn, you’ll get it all deciphered.
Relearn your ABCs, he insisted on
DR, DQ, CO, TO, ah! it was mumbo jumbo and made me yawn.
Coffee mornings and ladies meet lifted my spirits up
The sarees in my wardrobe always backed me up.
From Banarasis to Bhagalpuris and Kanjeevarams to Kasuvu
Flaunt I did in style and not to woo.
One major duty awaited which I had to do
Family Welfare meets were the way to go.
Quilling, crafting, cooking, and care of health
We made it all fun, in times of distress.
I didn’t crib or pretend illness
Master I did, how to walk, talk and dress.
The bachelors gatecrashed at one in the night
“Coffee, Ma’am” they screamed in unison with all their might.
The husband looked at me, with a grin on his face
While I was expected to look like a diva, in the first place.
I raided my fridge to get a pizza base
A sumptuous spread followed, putting the Michelin stars to shame.
An engineer to a teacher I’d become
That’s the fate of us all- doctors, architects, you name’em all.
The tea has gone cold, but I still ponder on
Whether we’d be moving to a mansion or another shelter home.
Creepies and crawlies I’ll be looking out for
Alas! A windowless kitchen would make my skin crawl.
“Darr nahin lagta?”, don’t you dare ask
When the husband is guarding the frontiers, you don’t get to sun bask.
I’m the one who fixes a fused light bulb
Taking care of bank accounts while tears I gulped.
I’m the devoted nurse to his aged parents, a plumber fixing leaks,
While he may get to call, only once in three weeks.
Life in the army is no ballroom dancing
For a comrade-in-arms is martyred, in firing and blasting.
Kargil, Pathankot, Uri the list goes on
“Is a meager RIP enough?“, I think aloud.
I’m not the naive little girl of a decade foregone
I serve as the Silent Rank as my soldier braves on.
I’m not a damsel in distress, I don’t make a scene
I’m more spirited and disciplined than I’ve ever been.
Friends I’ve made, in every single station,
Neighbors opened doors with not a sign of frustration.
Courage and camaraderie like you’ll never get to see
Boy, oh boy, I’ve molded into a lady, take it from me.
My chest swells in pride every single morning
As he polishes his stars, gleaming and adorning.
This is the only way I know how to live
A life I’ll choose a decade for now and forever, you better believe!
“This post is a part of ‘DECADE Blog Hop’ #DecadeHop organised by #RRxMM Rashi Roy and Manas Mukul. The Event is sponsored by Glo and co-sponsored by Beyond The Box, Wedding Clap, The Colaba Store and Sanity Daily in association with authors Piyusha Vir and Richa S Mukherjee”
That is indeed a beautiful poetic way to describe the events of your past decade. The college days, the trials and tribulations of being an army wife; you have brought it all out beautifully. Kudos for writing this beautiful poetic post.
Thank you very much. I’m glad you like it.
“I serve as the Silent Rank as my soldier braves on”. Wow. What a wonderful way you have chosen to portray the decade. Loved your poem and it is wonderful to see how proud you are of your husband as well as your own life. Cheers to many more decades of love and live!
An excellent poetic writeup on how you spent the decade. College days, the trials and tribulations of being an army wife you have brought them all out beautifully in this poem.
Wow!! Lovely my dear…. so true coffee mornings and catching up with girl friends is so profound when it comes to coping up and keeping up with life’s challenges. I loved it.
It means a lot. Thank you 🙂
It’s beautiful
Thanks 🙂
Loved every bit of it and I could relate to every word and sentence and emotion, being in the same fraternity. RIP is never enough… My eyes literally teared up reading this. You’ve captured the essence of an army wife so beautifully. You have a new fan in me. Much love.
I’m overwhelmed. Thank you very much for your kind words. Cheers to the Silent Ranks 🙂
Your poem speaks of how we all grow with time and leave back innocence and some stupidity. It is everyone’s story
What a beautiful poetic way to describe the life of an army wife ! I just loved this poem.
Wow, such a poetic decade you have presented, loved it a lot.
I can understand it completely as I belong to same breed as you.
I agree this org makes you a lady & of course masters in the walk, talk, smile and carry self.
This life is a blessing and one can understand only when you slip your boots into being one proud fauji wife.
Beautifully & creatively designed post.
Wow! How neatly you encapsulated the life of an army wife in a bunch of verses.
Poignant, touching, and full of strength, your poem is a journey in itself. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Loved it Shalini. Indeed poetic. I could relate it with my mom who became an army wife 50 years back. As for the “aunty”, have been guilty of that as a teen. Something ingrained in us fauji kids that officers are uncles, JCO are saabs and bhaiya works for everyone else.
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Hi Shalini. What a wonderful and poetic take on the decade. You’ve given us a glimpse of not just your life in the past decade but also of the life of an army wife. Well done!
Journey from a girl to a proud lady !! Beautifully expressed feelings of an Army wife !!!
Our soldiers are strong because they have a stronger soul at home. That goes to all wives, parents, and children. While our movies do cover the heroic battles at border, the struggle at home goes unsung. Your poetic recap of the decade makes us readers think of the girl who started as naive but now shines bright. It was beautiful and touching, Shalini.
Honestly i have never been closed to any family serving in the forces, and always wondered how tough it is to be a spouse of a solider. you have given me an insight into that life, its surely a life to be proud about.
Wow Shalini! You have summed up the decade and the army life such amazingly. Hats off to you, brave lady!
I had also written about my decade here – https://www.inkingexpressions.com/2020/01/01/2010s-a-decade-of-lessons-and-memories/
Honestly i have never been closed to any family serving in the forces, and always wondered how tough it is to be a spouse of a solider. you have given me an insight into that life, its surely a life to be proud about.
Love the name of your blog (website).
The poem began with the dreams of a girl and flowed into a strong woman with a sense of humor and compassion. I was teary-eyed by the end of the post. This is simply beautiful!
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Wow!! Not a naive lil girl anymore. Your poem made me realise that the journey we wives go through from being a girl to a woman is just ordinary. Being the wife of an army man and yet so brave yourself!! Kudos to you!!
What a lovely poem. The life of an army wife is not easy and every line of yours screams of it. The nation is proud of you because you are also the one sacrificing so that the Jawan can guard the frontier. Salute to your spirit.
I love poetry, such a beautiful penned journey of the life of who you were and who you became especially as an Army wife. loved this
A very lovely poem expressing the past decade through a young girl and then an army man’s wife. I feel like giving this post a crisp salute 🙂 Kudos Shalini!
I am so mesmerized by your poem Shalini! You are such a brave soldier. Salute to you and to your husband too for all the services you are rendering. Living away from family is something I can relate to also. Though husband is not in the armed services, he works in a different city and I hold the fort here.
Loved this post!
Hi Shalini. I commented earlier too but wonder where it got lost. Congratulations for such a wonderful and poetic take on the prompt. You gave us a glimpse not only of your decade but also of the life of an army wife. Well done!
A Big Salute to this Silent Soldier. So well written and so true.
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Wowww I salute you Shalini you have dared to pen down your experiences into a poem! What a beautiful poem you have written. It’s not so easy to collect all the memories and then weave them into a poetic style. Kudos!! One thing I loved really, the way you wrote the story of an army wife. I loved you like Quilling, I also love to do quilled projects! Best wishes to you for this decade 🙂
An interesting and unique take on the prompt. Love it!
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Being a poetess, I just loved the way you have handled the prompt.
The words, the experience and the life led by you in the past decade in a poetic way is worth appreciation.
It is not easy being an Army man’s wife and you are living that life beautifully.
I wish you tons of good luck for the new decade.
I posted a comment long back and cannot see so posting it again.
Wow! Being a Fauji wife is no joke and because of the sacrifices you also make they are able to guard the frontiers for the nation. Salute to you and your spirit.
Very nicely written ,you have covered all the dimensions and feelings and presented it in a beautiful way.
This poem left me speechless and goosebumped. I have immense respect for army wives and you also deserve the honor equally as your husband. I don’t have words to express my feelings after reading this stupendous masterpiece. Hats off to you guys. Best wishes for a safe and successful future is all I can say !!
I was waiting for a poem in this hop and you came up with such a lovely one. Hats off to the Silent rank and the soldier who braves it for our safety.
Loved your take
I love poetries and the poetic expressions to convey the thoughts in an artistic way! You nailed it dear. You portrayed your decade with your strong poetry hand. Be an army wife is not an easy task, I can say this because of one of my friend’s husband in the army.
What a wonderful poem. I always have tremendous respect for Army people and with your poem, my respect for Army man’s family and that too wifes has really gone up
I Salute you Shalini and I salute to every (Army/Navy/Air-force) officer’s wife out there, whom brave men are serving their duties and life to the nation diligently, leaving behind their families only because they know their life partners are handling everything at home in very disciplined, responsible and utmost caring way. For me you all are none the less than your heroes, Whole nation will remain grateful and owe you people.
Your poetry says it all ….beautifully penned!!!!
Wow, wow! Thank you for penning such a beautiful poem and showing how life in the army is…
First and foremost, My Salutes! This is such a powerful poem and each word oozes out pride and self-respect. Kudos to you!
Wow, wow and WOW!!! This is an amazingly well-written poem with utmost honesty. I have always said that the wife of an army officer is the silent hero and the nation owes a lot to her. You have brilliantly penned down the life of an army wife. Wishing you all the best for the next decade.
I was wondering if someone would take poetry up and what a stormyou have cooked! As always we salute our Jawans but barely know what it takes to send their child, husband or brother to defend our borders. Hamara ek salam aapko bhi!
A beautiful poem , you have summed up very well .
Kudos to you for being the silent strength behind your spouse. Your post is a glimpse of life I hear so often from my friends who are Army wives & friends serving in defense services. Truly,soldiers and their trunks always ready to be on the move.
Simply wow!!!! Loved each line..The words just flowed..It was a great learning experience to know about the life of an army wife..I read the linked posts too.. They are equally amazing..
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This poem is a testament to your strength and courage as an Army wife and woman. Thank your husband for his service to the nation and thank you for being his rock! Beautiful words ❤
What a long and beautiful journey, and way to go with capturing it in such few words with so much rhythm and grace, Shalini.
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I absolutely loved the sentiment of this post. From youthful ambitions, it transitions into mature ruminations so beautifully. At first, I was worried that it may end in a tragic note or may spring up a twist in the tail/tale, but the sense of pride of an army wife is evident. Beautiful poem, too!
Wow loved the way you had shared your life journey in poetic style..all the lines were so powerful and you had narrated a deep sentiment with each. I specially love “Life in army is not ballroom dancing..” yes..a big salute to all jawans and their families who always put other people’s life first, without caring for their own.
My mom’s life flashed right before me as I read your words. Being an Army wife requires patience, love, and courage of the highest kind. Life is never easy, but you are acing it. I love how you have kept yourself busy with so many interesting hobbies. A heartwarming poem that touched me.
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Wow. Shalini. Loved this poem. Your whole life in a decade flashed by in verse!!!
Admire the way you handle your duties along with your fears.
We lay people can harldy imagine the life army people lead. You have encapsulated it all so nicely.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Beautiful, evocative poem, Shalini. Kudos and salute to you and all the armed forces!
“I serve as the Silent Rank as my soldier braves on”. Wow. What a wonderful way you have chosen to portray the decade. Loved your poem and it is wonderful to see how proud you are of your husband as well as your own life. Cheers to many more decades of love and live!
This is a heart felt post.. Your words leave a mark ..every emotion is so well expressed that i almost felt like standing in front of the windowless kitchen and the instant goosebumps i had to the answer of “Darr nai lagta”.. how u must have cringed at “Aunty mat kaho na..” to the tears that trickle down the corner of the eyes. words can never describe the fain, fear and joys of an army wife. I am proud of u. Stay blessed dear,
WOW!!Amazing the best poem I have read this year so far. You have beautifully penned down not only yours but the life of an army wife who actually is the backbone of every married soldier. Loved each and every line. It was so honest and real. Salute to all Jawans and also their family.
Such a perfect way of depicting the army life.. Which most of the times we fail to see.. Army life looks glamorous bcos Bollywood made us believe so but the reality is much different.
Beautiful poem depicting your life story. I could visualise your decade gone by through your beautiful words.
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Hi Shalini,
I loved the way you have poured your thoughts out in the form of a poem. Also, you explained the tribulations and thoughts of an Army wife very well.
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What an amazing poem and loved each and every word. How beautifully ou have weaved the story of your last decade is commendable. I loved “Aunty you are so pretty” and “don’t call me that” part the most as I and my husband used to do the same 🙂
Army wives are the bravest of all and I salute to your courage and patience Shalini. We civilians don’t even know the feeling of fighting on the border or just for that matter to be a soldier’ s wife/family.
Kudos to you, wish you loads of luck for the years to come by.
This just took me back to my days in Kendriya Vidhyalaya and my stay in Defense quarters.
Such a simple and poignant representation of the Army waalo ka life .
Wish to read more
My hi to Mufasa
Playing with words is your forte
you inspired me to portray
my comment into a beautiful tray!
This is called a post,a motivation and poetry! Absloutely loved the rhythmic tone and also the portrayal of day to day life issues that seem petty but are worth a mention.
I could never imagine that one could write one’s own story in verse! Reminds me of Vikram Seth! Keep it up! – Pallavi Acharya
Even before reading your story like this, I have always respected you for being an army wife. It takes a lot of courage! Now, this has left me speechless. Kudos to you my dear friend. What a decade it has been for you!
For me, you are also a true soldier being the wife of an army man. Loved the way you have described the decade story of yours in a poem.
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I get a lump in my throat and my heart swells with pride as I read your poem, dear Shalini!
I am so proud of you and the scores of army wives…there are a few in my family and I know how they live their lives, so bravely!
Take a bow, lady! A big salute to you!
Hugs!
My God! What a bunch of talent your are Shalini! Loved it. Loved it to the core. A complete guide into how a soldier’s wife’s life is like. Enjoyed it thoroughly.
I think this is the most beautiful thing I have read today. Kudos to you for your bravery and for all the sacrifices. More power to you and to your man in olive green.
What a wonderful, brave poem. It takes guts of steel to be an army wife. Every time I see people egging on for war, I think of you and all the army wives I know. More power to you, and to all the all the army wives who are as brave and the soldiers who guard our borders.
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Dear Shalini,
Being a uniformed personnel myself, I was able to connect to what you have written. I must compliment you on your bold and honest approach. The candid verse literally pulls the reader off his feet! More power to your pen! Jai Hind! – Rohit Verma
I.Am.Floored!!! Totally.
Not only with this awesome creation of yours but also the life it tells about.
You may be the Silent Ranks but you are the Glorious ones of all the ranks.
The courage it takes to be the wife of a soldier is something I have always praised and respected.
Single-handedly you all manage to be the support of the families when your husband is serving the country.
Loved your transition from an engineer to a wife of armed personnel.
How you had to be ready for whatever comes across you at any time of the day (even 1 am) and you took it all in your stride with a smile. You became a soldier yourself braving the adversities of day to day life.
Many parts of your poem just shot through my heart.
Loved your line – RIP is not enough. So true… It cannot be enough, It will never be enough.
Your poem is one of the best I have read till date and not only in this blog hop.
Not only you have amazing talent but you have even lead a very amazing life. Kudos to you.
May you have a great life for many decades to come.
#readbypreetispanorama
Wow, loved the way you described your gone by decade with this poem. I have huge respect for the families of army personnel and reading your side of the story gave me goosebumps, you are the real hero, not just the silent ranks.
Am speechless!! You are a strong woman and so proud of you and your man in olive green!! Hugs and much love to both of you! ♥
One can only attempt to understand the life of an army wife. She has to handle everything in his absence, even if it kills her within there’s pride in her sacrifice. You’ve written this so beautifully, Shalini. Hope you can give time to activities of your interest, more of it.
Beautifully expressed!! loved it
I loved your poem to the core. One of the best poems i’ve come across in a long long time.
The burden of an army wife is indeed a hard one to bear Shalini, but I’m glad that your fierce pride outshines that burden. Wish you and your husband well.
You are wife to an army officer! Kudos! I cannot imagine how you must be living in that constant concern for your husband. Great women you are.
We are never thankful enough to the men in green , nor to their brave families who stand besides them. These lovely words are a reminder of what goes on behind the scenes. Always lovely to read your posts, Shalini!
I had a school friend whose dad worked in the army. I was always intrigued by her tales. Your post reminded me.of her after a long time. Loved it.
Hugs and salute.. what a lovely and emotional poem. I am in tears. So proud of you that you are there with your partner shoulder to shoulder. No less than a soldier, you really are making difference around you. More power to you and lots of love 😊
Simple amazing. Totally in love with the simplicity and flow of your words. And it takes courage for sure to be teh better half of an Indian soldier and braving the home front all alone. Kudos to you.
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Amazingly penned…superrb…I am glad you agreed to joining the hop. Never for a sec I doubted your talent…but this one I am sure stands out among the rest.
While we mere mortals were finding it difficult to scribble something…you my friend has wonderfully summarised your poetic decade.
A big hug for that para (You know which one)
#DecadeHop #RRxMM
Wow! Absolutely stunningly penned. I read it twice just because it’s simply beautiful. I have never seen army life closely, so, this came to me as a bitter sweet one. Am glad you participated and wrote this wonderful poetic journey for our hop. Keep writing 😊
Beautifully penned down!! So so relatable. Loved the poem.