Mahatma Gandhi And The Ganges River Poem by Elizabeth Padillo Olesen

Mahatma, your spirit
is in the Ganges River
for cleansing and purifying
against deception in class
divisions and social traditions.

In your spirit on the face
of Ganges, the Brahmins,
the Chettris, Vaisyas
and the Sudras
are one race-
thirsty, holy, filthy
and in need of one common hope
under the blanket of heaven.

The river is breathing for all
and needed by all.
In you and in the river
the caste system is drowned.