Nothing to Lose But Chains (Gandhian Philosophy)

Julie Miles

Looking into the eyes of a nation

filled with my brothers and sisters

with different religions, hair textures

and a myriad of complexions, how

can I not see myself?

If there is a chain around the neck of

my brother, how can I claim personal

victory of any sort?

I feel his pain and his agony is suffocating

even if he does not value me.

As I plunged into a marathon of documentaries

about the great Bapu and the satyagraha,

tears streamed down my eyes.

Rustling through pages in the local library,

I stopped and cried.

The gentle and strong giant with a thin frame

who lead his people and gave hope to

the suffering, remains as tall in death as he

was in life.

Oh Bapu! How many hours I've spent staring

at the place you were born and feeling

a divinity that must be felt rather than seen.

Had you any idea of the strings in my heart

that you may someday pull?

Oh Bapu of India, do tell me how a man could

walk the ground and make it holy?

Share with me the secrets of your endurance

in such tumultuous times when your

people were in peril.

Your slender frame was light yet mighty and

it housed a fort in your heart for those whom

you sheltered with your greatness.

You broke chains with the sheer brilliance stored

in your small body that screamed whispers of

injustice.

There is no force strong enough to house what

has come from the inner fibers of the soul.

Mankind has listened as his feet followed you to

the finish line of liberty and respect for all.

I have listened to tales, both tall and minute in

my quest for the truth.

After a moral self inventory, it better allowed me

to understand who you were and who you remain,

even though you have returned to God.

Stories of colorism are far too dull to entertain,

Dear Bapu! 

You were a man who will stand as tall as the sky

for as long as India breathes and blossoms

with hope and a people who say no to the ugly

face of discrimination and abuse of her flowers.

The freedom that you sought while holding a notepad

and pen is the one I care about.

You were a man before the rise to fame

and your blood ran through the veins of India

like a stream on thirsty soil seeking it's heartbeat.

The hunger in your ribs is the food which fed the

masses who craved justice and fair treatment.

Oh Great Bapu, the chains that held you captive

in the physical state, could not contain your heart

nor soul. They have disintegrated to dust and

fertilized the political arena with victory influenced

by your actions.

The critics will raise their heads in every

naysayer's tale, but your campaign helped

shape not only India, but the entire world.

From the ashram to the salt found in my favorite dishes,

I remember and celebrate you!

The sea chants your name and the violence of poverty

will never forget the indignities you suffered.

The chains are gone, Bapu, but you forever

Remain.

Bio: Julie Miles is a multifaceted creative luminary, whose artistic talents are deeply rooted in the heart of the United States. With a profound admiration for the poetic traditions of East Asia and the timeless verses of India's literary greats, her work exemplifies a remarkable fusion of cultures. Her artistry is a masterclass in elegant simplicity, drawing inspiration from the canvas of her own life experiences.  Her devotion extends beyond her role as a caregiver, she has served as a home-school teacher for numerous years. Furthermore, her benevolent spirit shines through as she volunteers with special needs students, leaving an indelible mark on the lives she touches.

 

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Setu, October 2023 :: Gandhian Philosophy