Poem Analysis: A Fighter's Lines

A Fighter’s Lines  
Marzuki Ali

I am old and worn

And have lost all my strength

Sufferings

And the history of the fight for independence

Have forced sacrifices

That know no name

Or life

From the wheelchair of the rest of my days

I, body and energy crushed

See and cannot do much

These times are too big a challenge

For the remnants of my crippled years

The net of deceit spread everywhere

Disturbs me.

In the name of justice

Wake up and form ranks sons of our ancestor

Be brave

And erect a wall of people

Stand up heirs of our freedom

 

I have no more voice

It is you now who should speak!

Stanza 1:

The poet once had become a soldier and he had suffered a lot to fight for independence from invaders.

Stanza 2:

During that time, they fought with all of their will and as the consequences now he is wheelchair  bound due to the loss of energy and he is now old enough to only be able to sit on the while writing this poem. After years of independent, the poet sees that the people trying to destroy themselves by engulfing into the world full of lies. The poet says that there is nothing much he can do as these times are too challenging.

Stanza 3:

The poet now urges new generation to fight for their freedom. First we have to be united regardless of our races or religions and fight for the sake of our nation’s country.

Stanza 4:

The poet also claims that he cannot affect others to fight for freedom as he is old and has no will to protect the country and it is the responsibility of the young ones to speak out their opinions.