Day 41 - Colleen Ring

Poetic Musings on a Way Forward Influenced by Gandhian Principles

Human spirit
once again
rising up
against all odds
and slowly reaching, stretching
for the light of self-realization.
Unfurling, opening to
breathe in the fresh air
of freedom, equality, 
justice, empowerment.

Again a regime had grabbed hold
and clamped down
on individuality
and understanding
slowly squeezing out the lifeforce
of people numbed by
the narcotic of materialism.
Somnambulistic actors reaching
for brass rings
attached to their own
collective peril
somehow blinded to this connection.

How had it come
to this
again?
From the earliest days,
this pattern of
oppression, regression,
suppression, colonialism,
imperialism, totalitarianism,
domination of the masses.
With different names…
slavery, feudalism,
castes, apartheid,
segregation, serfdom,
tyranny
Yet always the same…
might over right.

This time
shackles so wonderfully
adorned
as to not be seen
with alarm
at all
by most.
And even to be sought
at the peril of all
by untold legions.
Good, honourable people
fallen prey to false idols.

Brilliant irony
to harden hearts
to the good of all
in pursuit of
short term pleasures
for just a few.
The allure and intoxication
of the economy of greed.
Which in the end
when exposed,
laid bare
reveals the same tyranny
as all oppression
just now somewhat less bloody
or so it appears.

How then
that from the midst
of oppression
the human spirit
could flicker back to life
as sometimes 
has happened
even when the embers seemed
as dark and cold
as hopelessness?
And that somehow
someone
with vision strong
and steady enough
to pierce
the darkness
of this clouded facet of
the human condition
arises,
phoenix-like
whose laser vision
sees the truth
and lights the way,
removing the veils
which have shrouded
all in darkness 
of one kind
or another.

Giants of wisdom,
compassion,
gentleness.
Reminding us
that….We. Are. Better. Then. This.
Truth weavers.
Humanity believers.
Legacy leavers.
whose light
creates a beacon
for those who
seek a path of justice
for all.

And there was one
such as this.
Small in stature
enormous in impact
sounding a clarion call
for truth which could not
be ignored.
Showing a way
forward
through Ahimsa – Nonviolence
Sarvodaya – the Uplift of All
Satyagraha – Soul Force
Swaraj – Self Empowerment.



Bapu. Mahatma.
Servant Leader.
Justice Seeker.
Truth Speaker.
You returned love for hate
showed the way out of oppression
by creating
a path
of gentleness and steely determination
leading to justice
through selflessness.

We thank you
for your courage
and your vision
for showing us
a way
leaving us your footprints
which could serve as blueprints
for a way forward
even today.

Colleen Ring, Edmonton, Alberta