Rivonia Trial

Rivonia The courthouse of the treason trial The cradle where the revolution grew Prospered, and overthrew Apartheid For Mandela, what memories are revived By that television screen Now in a safe warm home. He is shown a trial not unlike his own Eight white men caught plotting against the State Attempting an armed revolution. Their solution to change the course of history. The police guarding the court Heavily armed, determined to bring to naught Any attempt of trouble. Outside A motley black crowd standing there Jeering, chanting. as was their right. Calling the prisoners racist because they were white How familiar it must have been. Yet, now being on the other side Do his brainwaves collide? When he looked at their faces, did he see a clone Making him condone what they had done While the country listens and waits Could he predict the future of these men. Prison has been the university From which he and other presidents have risen. Who would have thought the Mandela Convicted of terrorism Could have risen to be To be The Don Quixote Of Africa Striving to right the wrongs Of the continent to which he belongs I am sure he could use his wisdom and power To get these men to forgo terror And work for peace with him. Men with principles are hard to find. Opponents can lead strength If their principles are redefined These men can change If Mandela could rearrange their minds.