Double-faith: Ghandi and non-violence

Mahatma Ghandi said:

"Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another."
"Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being."
"Nonviolence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed."
"Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man."
"Non-violence, which is the quality of the heart, cannot come by an appeal to the brain."

And

"Non-violence requires a double faith, faith in God and also faith in man."

A Lullaby for Ghandi

What does it take to hold your ground?

What does it take to stand and stay still?

What does it take to stare into hate?

How can I not run away?

Empty my mind of the fear.

Empty my will of reply.

Empty my heart of revenge.

Let them go. Let them go.

And Stop ... my hand

And Still ... my arm

And Soft ... my voice

Singing the soldiers to sleep.

What does it take to hold out your hand?

What does it take to stand by my side?

What does it take to see with my eyes?

How can you not run away?

Empty your mind of your fear.

Empty your will of reply.

Empty your heart of revenge.

Let them go. Let them go.

And Stop ... your guns

And Still ... your crews

And Soft ... your drums

Beating the public alarm. 

What does it take to share the embrace?

What does it take to stand Up for all?

What does it take to see Humanity?

How can we not run away?

Empty our mind of our fear.

Empty our ‘right of reply’. 

Empty our heart of revenge.

Let them go. Let them go.

And Stop ... our lies

And Still ... our fights

And Soft ... our prayers

Calling for fires to cease.

(C) 2018, A.Koh-Butler