Ironing Board

by Ed Sanders

They took a picture of Gandhi’s personal possessions
at the time of his killing
a pair of glasses, a robe, sandals
& maybe a water jar

That was it.

I feel the same way most of the time now
that all my stuff has washed away in the flood
I’m Free of those toilsome burdens
free of my doormouse diaries
free of my kitchen cabinet
& its ancient hippie tea from 1969

but I can’t help it—
I miss my ironing board

and the letters you used to send me
after we were beaten in Selma