Sitting out the chilling  night

At Shaheen Bagh, you lead

India’s second struggle for freedom,

shaming men who would come

But are held back by fright.

 

Women of India, your resolve

Against tyranny once made,

Brooks no politic retreat.

Firm in mind, you are firm

On your freezing feet.

 

A face of impish delight smiles

Upon you.

Tucked in his lungi, he seems to know

That you will defeat the guiles

Of the day’s defrauders,

As you did of colonial marauders.

 

Those that worship the armed goddess

In the plush confines of temples

Now confront her in the flesh.

Looking at your sentient courage,

My defiant soul leaps out

Of my old age

To declare to my beleaguered nation

That the republic is safe

In your incandescent passion

Against a state of things where

Laws may accommodate

Subliminal hate.

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