For Madiba

For Madiba as you continue the struggle some more, today for life... 'it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die' you said, all those years ago as you stood in the dock awaiting the sentence of death they locked you up instead for 27 hard and long and arduous years you stood firm you never wavered you gave hope to us all and then when they could no longer keep up their unjust tyranny you emerged into the light of freedom your hand raised in a defiant fist in the february Cape Town air - Amandla! you then weaved and bobbed and fought some more, the boxer in you always present you fought for peace in our land for us all you fought and then came that glorious day when you were our president and we laughed and we cried and you fought for us even more today you fight a different fight for life, and we are helpless we, who you fought for all along have only hope and prayer and song and wishes of life for you today, you fight some more may you fight for life some more, Tata Madiba! and may you prevail for you are our father and father, your children call out to you once more with wishes prayers songs your children wish for you, to remain here with us some more and though helpless your children may be in this battle that you wage for life today and though frail and old your body is your indomitable spirit smiles that inimitable Madiba smile your spirit resides in each of us your loving children amandla!