by gnj4uBoston, Massachusetts, USA
Jun 2013 917 Views 12 comments
Tata
Voice of fierce fighter for justice
cries out upon troubled streets
demands equality, freedom, citizenship
walks life’s pathways to Rainbow peace.
Bantu language, tone lowest at end
imibongo shouted from behind bars
vowels, though silent, omnipresent
Ubuntu spread under global stars
Smiles transcend years of pained
imprisonment for seditious acts wrought
honour shines as beacon to all who remain
high the price paid for freedom brought.
From Umkhonto we Sizwe
to Nobel Peace Prize won
world of injustice, separateness
battles fought, path forward begun.
Willing to sacrifice life, limb, precious breath
effort directed to achieve a peaceful end
Faces each new day confronting death
challenges us to finish what he did begin.
Ninety-four balloons ascend toward sky
accompany prayers that he will survive
keeping hungry vultures at bay
buffalo not devoured by lion, today.
As the sun sets with musical strains
of Handel, then Tchaikovsky playing
Madiba, beloved, hears Maker’s call to soul,
as Part prepares to reunite with the Whole.
Where umbilical cord buried, soul belongs.
Fifteen clicks applied as apartheid died.
Out-spoken remains the rebel’s song
until freedom, justice, for all, is applied.
cries out upon troubled streets
demands equality, freedom, citizenship
walks life’s pathways to Rainbow peace.
Bantu language, tone lowest at end
imibongo shouted from behind bars
vowels, though silent, omnipresent
Ubuntu spread under global stars
Smiles transcend years of pained
imprisonment for seditious acts wrought
honour shines as beacon to all who remain
high the price paid for freedom brought.
From Umkhonto we Sizwe
to Nobel Peace Prize won
world of injustice, separateness
battles fought, path forward begun.
Willing to sacrifice life, limb, precious breath
effort directed to achieve a peaceful end
Faces each new day confronting death
challenges us to finish what he did begin.
Ninety-four balloons ascend toward sky
accompany prayers that he will survive
keeping hungry vultures at bay
buffalo not devoured by lion, today.
As the sun sets with musical strains
of Handel, then Tchaikovsky playing
Madiba, beloved, hears Maker’s call to soul,
as Part prepares to reunite with the Whole.
Where umbilical cord buried, soul belongs.
Fifteen clicks applied as apartheid died.
Out-spoken remains the rebel’s song
until freedom, justice, for all, is applied.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Jun 2013
About this poem:
imibongo --> poetryUbuntu --> a South African philosophy
Umkhonto we Sizwe --> Spear of the Nation
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Comments (12)
This is a wonderful tribute - as the great man's life draws to its inevitable close. Many thanks for the footnotes you thoughtfully added to this poignant poem.
Kindest regards
Bill
Warm and kind regards.. Vickie
Great write.....and very special......Kathy
Much respect to you gnj4u for this exceptionally good poem -
warm regards to you from across the miles --Fiona
This poet cannot help but be pleased to hear that my attempt to honour Madiba "sticks on the mind" and "is a beautiful and powerful tribute". For, certainly, he is "such an incredible man!" May we each, in our own way, continue what he has begun. Thank you both for taking the time to read and comment. Your feedback is much appreciated.
Madiba is certainly a remarkable person. To have shared the world during part of his lifetime is a gift. Thank you for your kind remark about my poem to honour him. It is much appreciated.