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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

Copyright © Joseph Osita | Year Posted 2011

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Date: 1/10/2016 3:53:00 PM

Joseph, I enjoyed reading your excellent poem today. Thanks for sharing ---skat
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.
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
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
Date: 12/29/2011 10:34:00 AM

a gritty, moving piece,joseph.. i do miss your poetry; can we have more??.. beautiful! :) huggs!
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
Date: 11/28/2011 8:41:00 AM

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

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

An excellent poem and entry that I hope reaches the eyes of many. Blessings, Connie
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.
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.

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