Prepared

“Ram, Ram”, he said,

said it aloud,

“Ram”, the Hindu

word for God.

Non-violent leader

of a violent nation,

shot dead by a fanatic

in a railway station.

Shot three times

in his stomach and chest,

independence would follow,

but you know the rest.

He had fasted, walked freely,

aware of the danger,

yet he died with a smile,

no hatred, no anger.

His hands in front of him,

prayerful and steady,

“Ram, Ram”, he said,

“God, God”, he was ready.