Tata Madiba
Some believe that many names is a
sign of stature, of importance.
How appropriate Tata that you are called
father, well as all those other monikers
Father of so many, how did you fill the time?
Three short steps, two regular, from one end
of day, to another then back again, and again
Plenty of time to think, to brew a strong disdain
yet tea and mercy are your thirst and hunger
Monumental change can come with oppressive legions,
masks on, bayonets fixed, marching,
toe-in-step, step-in-toe, closing in,
or much more slowly, with a well-tempered gait
and careful steps, feeling a way to a new life
Sharpeville a dusty, bloody turning tide
turning emergency of state to state of emergency
yet another rational, to push, to oppress,
yet another opportunity to protest saying
"a change is gonna come", yet to wait on
I remember hearing on that cold northern Sunday
that you would be released, and drop into sight
after so many seasons, I became slightly aware,
vague to the happenings of the world,
as ascension starts to awaken me
The life of president of a country is full,
full of courageous opportunity, and pitfalls,
but to transform a nation from majority oppression,
to an erect healing democracy, is a gift of stature,
of moral fortitude, decency, a respect for humanity.
Tata, the nation of South Africa, owes much
to its first democratically elected black leader
The world, owes much to the example of you.
© Goode Guy 2013-06-28
http://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/names
Copyright © Goode Guy | Year Posted 2013
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