IT WAS A LOVELY SPRING MORNING. I SAT BESIDE THE GANDHI STATUE JUST BEFORE A MEETING ON ANTI-SLAVERY AND WROTE THIS MEDITATION.
Flowers budding and breaking
Into bloom,
None accept bondage of winter and soil,
But take life from these.
Wind blows
Where it wills.
Young people on the grass
– look up to the skies;
Older people bent over
– look down to the soil and earth.
A tree planted on 6th August
Honours the memory of the victims of HIROSHIMA.
A large rock is a tribute
“to all those who have established
And are maintaining their right
To refuse to kill.”
In their midst
Mahatma Gandhi keeps the pose of Samadhi,
An endless silent vigil
But whispering words of wisdom
To all who will listen:
“Accept no bondage,
Stay on the freedom track.
Walk and work and pray with pride.
Chains of bondage will not
Hold you forever.
Winter will pass.
Life will burst forth again,
And bloom and grow and blow
In the wind.”
Inderjit Bhogal 