"Letter from the Foreign Grave " D B GURUNG
Summary of the Poem
The poem " Letter from the Foreign Grave" is written by D.B Gurung. It highlights the lamentations of a Gurkha soldier who is killed in foreign land. The speaker in the poem sends his mother massage not to weep for him regretting that he couldn't do anything for her and his motherland.
Every year, hundreds of Nepalese young men join in foreign army. Nepalese youth started to join British Army after Anglo-Nepal war from 1814 to 1816. They are famous worldwide for their fearlessness in war and honesty. They scarce their enemies with 'Khukuri' (traditional Nepali knife). Gurkhas took part in many war fronts like Burma, Ladhakh, NEFA, Malaya, Kargil, Germany, Italy, Tunisia, Falkland, Kosovo, Afghanistan etc. Nepalese youths are also working in Indian Army and Singapore Police. Being a 'Lahure' (a foreign soldier) is a popular culture in some communities in Nepal. 'Lahures' enjoy better economic status and respect in societies. Many youths dream joining foreign army. However, there is dark side of being a 'Lahure'. Family disintegration, home sickness, lack of self dignity, exploitations are some of dark sides of being 'Lahure'.
The poem is a letter written by a dead son from the foreign grave to his mother in Nepal. It had depicted the reality of "Gorkhali" British soldier i the foreign land. It requests us not to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of other. Also the poem teaches us to live in total harmony in a community as everyone should do it after his/her death.
In the poem, the son asks his mother not to be sad in his absence because he is fine in the valley of shadows and he is free from all mundane (everyday routine),avarice (greed), misery and tears. He is resting now in peace and harmony forever. His flesh that was smooth, shiny and elegantly dressed body has turned into dust. Nothing remained except few bones. He still clearly remembers the painful and sorrowful moment of his departure when the black cloud over the valley and his dog "Pangrey's whimpers", wagging its tail, were clearly predicting that it was his final departure forever. He also remembers his mother's eyes full of tears and blessings "to be always brave". He says that he was deputed to different war fronts and had shown his bravery. Until a bullet pierced his heart, he was regarded as a hero.
Now his fate is ruined. It is confined within foreign grave because he is no more now. He is buried among his friends and his enemies. They have everything common there. They live in total harmony in a community of true brotherhood. They are the lost citizens of the world. He asks his mother not to weep for him because his war is over and he has no danger of gunshots and shells. He doesn't have to go to the fronts of battlefield and shout the native expression "Ayo Gorkhali" which was used to frighten the enemy. The same word has snatched away lots of Gorkhalis' lives. He says that his dreams, youth and life is sacrificed and the slow fat generals are making medals on young Gorkhalis' blood.
Finally, he asks his mother to forgive him for he could not make up for her milk but he sacrificed his life for the cause of others in war of no glory (victory). He regrets his mother's words "to be brave" while leaving his house are also kept. So, he requests her not to weep for him but ruminate (think about) for those who are still involved in wars.