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OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

0 posted 2013-12-28 03:52 PM



MY MADIBA #2
28 December 2013

Dawn of emptiness . . .

For a long time
we felt you slipping
into restless rest
and we felt your pain
and frustration
and your strength
as you held on
for all of us

and selfishly
we wanted you
to hang on forever . . .
not to go . . .
we believed
you could never die . . .
that somehow
your strong body
battered for twenty-seven years
would revive
that we would hear your
unique beloved voice
again
and that laughter . . .
oh, that laughter
that could turn
a thunderstorm
into a sunny day.

Oh, what are we going to do
without that laughter
and that smile
that united
the universe?

Owl

© Copyright 2013 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
1 posted 2013-12-28 05:10 PM


  it took the death of someone real close to me for me to realize that all my brooding is no way to live.  Cherish the memory for all the happiness it brought you, and you will find there will always be joy in it.

Michael

EmmaRose
Senior Member
since 2011-03-02
Posts 1376
Midwest
2 posted 2013-12-28 07:34 PM


heartfelt words
may his dream live on for all of us

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
3 posted 2013-12-28 08:05 PM


another fine tribute to a great and heroic soul !
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
4 posted 2013-12-28 08:11 PM


fine writing presented with love...James
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
5 posted 2013-12-29 04:57 AM


Thank you, Michael.  There were so many times that I prayed for you with almost no hope.  I have just read your poem, "Release" and my tears of joy for you and yours are still erupting down my cheeks.  I should have had more faith in God for He knows things we cannot ever begin to imagine.  I am so sorry for the loss of that person.  However, he/she, along with God's help, has given you the greatest gift of all - a gift even greater than life - the gift of a second chance at life.  I am sure you will have relapses of melancholy, but hang on - and hang in there - stick your poem, "Release" up everywhere - rather in too many places than too few - and you will get back to this place and be able to move on with greater and even more beautiful vistas.  Welcome back to the world.  These are indeed wonderful days (thank you for sharing the news with us), as all your days henceforth will be, though in each day, you need to seek the wonder beyond the wonder that you see.

Thank you, EmmaRose, Bruce and James for your beautiful messages.  I never got to meet Nelson Mandela, nor even see him in the flesh, not even from a distance, but he will forever be my hero, my Madiba, though I share him with the rest of the world.  I am proud to be born of the country he was born in, lived for and died in.

Owl

2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
6 posted 2013-12-30 01:30 AM


hello diana, yes southafrica is orphan now of her voice, he changed the world and will be remembered ever,

thanks for the beautiful tribute and relevant homage


have a fine holidya

yann

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
7 posted 2013-12-31 03:10 PM


Thank you, Yann.  It still doesn’t feel real.  Thank you for your kind words about him and also about my poem.  Happy New Year to you.  I hope you had a good Christmas.  

Owl

Gale
Senior Member
since 2013-06-10
Posts 578
Russia
8 posted 2014-01-09 03:09 PM


That's true!
The world will miss him.

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
9 posted 2014-01-10 04:53 AM


Thank you, Gale.  Yes, we do.

Owl

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