Line Gauthier Poet Ode

Notes About The Poem

president of South Africa 1994-1999

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Ode To Nelson Mandela

My heart skips a beat I lose my breath
When I think of his life of sacrifice
And his crusade for human rights

Leading the revolution against apartheid
With rare tenacity and might
A lawyer by trade a pacifist by nature

Standing for truth and reconciliation
Just him and his ideals for god-given rights
Standing and never wavering

Giving voice to the speechless and the persecuted
Refusing to be silent in the face of injustice
Determined to annihilate tyranny and racist oppression

An icon of democracy and social justice
Never to be forgotten

A statue erected where Mandela
Was released from 27 years in prison

A simple man bigger than life itself
With dreams of emancipation

One philanthropist who would change
The world no matter what the cost



Read on air by invitation  ~  April 28, 2021  'WORDS & MUSIC'

AP: 1st place 2021, Honorable Mention 2022

Submitted on  January 25, 2020 for contest ODE TO A PRESIDENT OR POLITICIAN OR LEADER PAST OR PRESENT sponsored by SHERI FRESONKE HARPER  -  RANKED 5TH

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Sam Kauffman September 1, 2022 at 10:25 AM A worthy hero indeed, Line. A true life, and example, of heroism. Congratulations on your win! Blessings to you. Line Gauthier September 2, 2022 at 11:53 AM Thank you, Sam ~ much appreciated

Connie Marcum Wong March 4, 2020 at 10:23 AM This is Excellent Line. Congratulations on your win! xxoo Line Gauthier March 4, 2020 at 11:17 AM Thank you, Connie. Most appreciated.

Alexis Y. March 4, 2020 at 4:43 AM Hi Line, This is such a great write about Mandela. I liked him too! Congratulations on your winning write. Have a great day:-) Alexis Line Gauthier March 4, 2020 at 7:29 AM Thanks, Alexis. Much appreciated.

Sam Kauffman March 3, 2020 at 10:34 PM Line, congratulations on your poem celebrating Mandela showing the power of one! Line Gauthier March 3, 2020 at 11:07 PM Thanks for your much appreciated visit and comment, Sam.

Carolyn Devonshire March 3, 2020 at 1:14 PM Excellent choice of leaders, Line. Mandela was all you describe. Congratulations on your win! Line Gauthier March 3, 2020 at 11:07 PM Thank you for your lovely visit and comment, Carolyn.

Michael Craig March 3, 2020 at 10:53 AM You surly brought good attention to a man who is truly one of the greatest. _ Mike Line Gauthier March 3, 2020 at 2:24 PM Thanks for your visit and much appreciated comment, Mike.

John Watt March 2, 2020 at 11:42 PM Line, a great write about a great man; one of the true heroes of our generation. His isolation did not silence his voice and his suffering did not diminish his commitment to his righteous cause. The world is a far better place because of him. Invictus! Congrats, my friend ~ John Line Gauthier March 3, 2020 at 9:43 AM Thank you, John. I could not agree with you more.

Sheri Fresonke Harper March 2, 2020 at 10:38 PM Congratulations Line on your 5th place win in the Ode for a Leader or Politician Past or Present contest. I found you paid good homage to Mandela and showed good reasons for admiration. Punctuation helps nail down your intent with clarity. Thanks for entering, enjoyed reading it. Line Gauthier March 3, 2020 at 9:44 AM Thanks, Sheri. Most appreciated.

Caren Krutsinger January 27, 2020 at 11:30 AM Twenty-seven years! I cannot fathom 27 days in prison! Wow! Great ode. Line Gauthier January 27, 2020 at 6:13 PM I hear you, Caren... 27 minutes would be too long.

Abdullah Alhemaidy January 27, 2020 at 7:48 AM So right and lovely of you! Line Gauthier January 27, 2020 at 8:07 AM Thanks, Abdullah. Much appreciated.

Julie Achilles January 27, 2020 at 5:03 AM You have chosen a great figure to dedicate what a great tribute to a great man- may he be at rest- Julie Good luck with your entry. Line Gauthier January 27, 2020 at 8:07 AM Thank you so much, Julie.

Andrea Dietrich January 26, 2020 at 4:57 PM I agree wholeheartedly. You chose an amazing figure in history to emulate. Line Gauthier January 26, 2020 at 9:38 PM Thank you, Andrea. It was a most appreciated nudge for a worthy tribute.

Eve Roper January 25, 2020 at 11:25 PM He accomplished a lot and with bravery. Well done, Line ... Should do very well. Line Gauthier January 26, 2020 at 8:32 AM Thanks, Eve. Much appreciated.

Tom Cunningham January 25, 2020 at 1:46 PM Lovely tribute Line, all he wanted was his country and was branded a terrorist for his beliefs. Good luck. Tom Line Gauthier January 25, 2020 at 6:27 PM Thanks, Tom. Mandela accomplished a lot and was awarded over 250 various honors in his lifetime.