Gandhi (Gandhian Philosophy)

Henry L. Jones

ONE OF MANY

As I quickly walked to join the protest

blending into the sea of heads and signs

focused on our cause to try to change this world

whether seen as useless I had to try

just try regardless how much fear I felt

courage hid somewhere in my marrow

for me to pull it into my blood and let it flow

fill my heart with the will to keep going

hearing pounding in my chest like music

and resounding song in my head 

familiar lyrics keeping me in tune and focused

what might come and remember to resist

while knowing they might beat me bloody

while shielding myself from their violence

which might seem irrational to understand

but their fists, guns and clubs can't reach me

or stop my unyielding determination

and focus to win this battle without one blow 

for I am one of many to help change this world.

WHEN

When the dogs were used against us

we stood firmly as their sharp teeth tore clothes and flesh

trying to stop our resistance with rabid fear

but our focus was on the change to come.

When the police beat, stomped and drug us

we kept our bodies tense  like long steel beams

building more strength in our foundation 

as an unyielding force for change to come

When we were spat on by many to anger us

we looked beyond their expanded pupils

full of hateful visions to end our lives 

as our tears mixed with their fuming froth.

When our legs became tired from the marching

We kept stepping one foot over the other

not thinking about the tormenting pain

pushing forward with the will of our spirits

as our eyes saw us embracing true freedom.

Bio: HENRY L. JONES is the Inaugural Poet Laureate of Hendersonville, Tennessee. Jones is the author of four poetry books. His upcoming 2023 book is Black Skillet Blues: Poetry without Cornbread, He won fellowships, residencies and visiting writers programs. Many anthologies, journals and magazines published his poems. Recently, appeared in In Fullness of the Word: Black American Poet Laureates and American Graveyard: Calls to End Gun Violence. He is a Fisk University alumnus. 

 

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Setu, October 2023 :: Gandhian Philosophy