reflections on gandhi’s statue in tavistock square

Gandhi, enshrined (link to the photo)

an enshrined prophet of copper sits with legs crossed and eyes fixed low as lovers rest in shade, cast long by purple trees. the pigeons keep an eye on things around here, as do the squirrels. a rare white pigeon encircles the centerpiece-prophet like a dove, crying “peace, peace” with its flapping wings. but no one hears. and the light inches out of the park – down, down, down, and out – as it sinks low behind the concrete fortress of buildings. the seated prophet watches the light inch away. he finds it strange that the empire he brought down to its knees now enshrines him in copper and places him among pigeons.