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MANDELA ON MY WALL

Good morning Nelson; our imprisoned hope
Yesterday, in a darkened cell I thrived
Firmly manacled by apartheid sorrowful rope
And torture upon torture I was served.
When shall our freedom come?

Your sufferings I have tasted a bit
And felt the chains of sorrow on your hands.
When dreaded darkness in my cell hit
In fear and weariness I could not stand
When shall our freedom come?

I was mocked by cockroaches and numberless ants
That paraded on my body as they pleased.
In my ears they made their painful rants
And silent tears assembled in my eyes
Is freedom coming tomorrow, oh Nelson?

For I see beneath your sad wrinkles
A smile reserved for tomorrow
When freedom's olive oil shall be sprinkled
Among us all to happily wallow,
When freedom comes tomorrow.

During apartheid regime in South Africa, it was common among South Africans to stand in front of Nelson Mandela's portrait and lament their ordeal. They asked the portrait some touching questions like: Is our freedom coming tomorrow? Shall we ever be freed? I have same Mandela’s old portrait and any time I look at it, the sad events of those days fill my memory. 

For Sydney Leeann’s picture frame contest  

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  1. Date: 4/1/2012 2:38:00 PM

    A moving portrayal of a life i do not know and can only hope to understand. I hope you have found answers to your lament.
  1. Date: 12/30/2011 2:13:00 PM

    Hope you are doing well, and not upset with me..I apologise for sticking my 2 bits in where I should have just stayed quiet! LighT & Love Always Ma
  1. Date: 12/30/2011 1:38:00 AM

    A very nice one, Osita. Nelson would love it. Thanks for your comments. Happy new year to you in advance
  1. Date: 12/29/2011 10:34:00 AM

    a gritty, moving piece,joseph.. i do miss your poetry; can we have more??.. beautiful! :) huggs!
  1. Date: 12/19/2011 4:51:00 PM

    A beautiful poem though. But you can do much by avoiding the word 'sad' for instance to describe a sad poem. Cheers
  1. Date: 11/28/2011 8:41:00 AM

    Powerful piece, Joseph. Many congrats on all your wins : )
  1. Date: 11/27/2011 6:17:00 PM

    wonderful write and a winning entry for ma! I miss you oh wayward one. Light & Love
  1. Date: 11/26/2011 4:07:00 PM

    An excellent poem and entry that I hope reaches the eyes of many. Blessings, Connie
  1. Date: 11/25/2011 11:25:00 PM

    J.O., first things first~ How was your thanksgiving? I hope fine! About this poem: very lovely... good luck in the contest,..p.d.
  1. Date: 11/25/2011 11:01:00 PM

    wow, this is one of the most powerful entries for her contest, Joseph. I hope it places very high. Is freedom achieved there now? In its entirety? I know even today in the U.S, racism lingers in some parts.
  1. Date: 11/25/2011 1:02:00 PM

    Powerful poem, Joseph. It truly made me think about the illusions of freedom all over again. "Lands of the free." Yeah right....

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