The Gandhi-Man Poem by GOBINDA SAHOO

Of the three things
My village is legendary for
Mahatma Gandhi episode is one.
The others-
Diamond mines and
Habitat of artisans,
Some physical, some cerebral and rest verbal.
The Mahatma Gandhi’s birth and growth
In the village was an episode.
To the shock of all
Born to an unwed imbecile
on Gurubar, the Thursday,
Baptized as Gurbaru by village kids.
Went on following the Gandhi,
Since an early age,
His dress, glasses, walking-stick
And downloaded
Were the Demi-God’s speeches in his mobile.
Many had bluetoothed
The same from him,
And he had set ‘Vaisnava Janato ……’
As ringtone and callers’ tune too.
Had his moustache as thick as Gandhi’s,
And lower lip drawn outward
For a look accurate.
Had inherited many behaviors
From his mother
Speaking to himself, cleaning Village Street,
Passive resistance, truth
And non-violence,
And his motto always was
‘No work no food’.
For hours together
He used to speak
On the problems national
With solutions, people’s attitude,
Education system and many more
Stop-less.
Now that his position on the sea beach
Is a regular sight
In Gandhi’s apparel
Painted all silver
Freeze for hours together
With only dhoti on his waist
Stretched on ground
Is the upper gown
To bucket money at evening’s tail.
And so he is known as the Mahatma Gandhi
Of our village, and making it famous
Has turned eminent
In and around the district as well
The Gandhi-man.