For Nelson Rolihlahla 'Madiba' Mandela

and just when i felt lost again... when i feared that you were slipping away i feared more for myself, in truth I say, than for you again... you came back to us again... your light shone, ablaze reaching inside of me with the warmth of your dignity with your infinite gentleness with your effortless peace with all that makes you, you again... soothing me as you soothed a nation and a people, and people everywhere of every hue and of every creed and of the human spirit itself again... you gave of yourself 92 and frail and weak and alive oh yes alive! again... you breathed my fears away you embraced me as you have always done again... you made me cry weeping tears of joy for you for your light to shine on through again... you shined so brightly as I basked in your warmth of you being you again... you cradled my shaken being in your hands, lined with age and with wisdom and with a pureness so bright that just knowing that you are back home, smiling that fatherly smile of yours was enough for me, to slip into the waiting arms of this warm and joyous night and again... though i know that you cannot be with me forever more you came back to me on this night and just knowing that you are still here with me now is enough now, for within me, you will reside forever more just knowing that you are resting and recovering at home filled, and fills me with peace and with joy with the peace and the joy that has been your gift to me, and to us, one and all shaking me to my very core as you have selflessly done throughout my life, and on countless occasions before He is home you are home and i am home with you as your light of life continues to shine now and forever warm and dignified and forever true Viva Nelson Rolihlala 'Madiba' Mandela Viva!