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

0 posted 2009-02-22 06:27 AM


ON A HILL NOT FAR AWAY
22 February 2009

Here where
Boers and Brits incarcerated Brits and Boers and Blacks
and,
amongst others, Number Four
attacked the body, mind, soul and spirit,
but mostly did not win,
Desperation
has given breach-birth
to a shimmering infant, Hope;
and a glass band
celebrates
transparency
and eleven official welcomes
emblazon an invitation
in rainbow colours
to enter into

Our

Constitutional Court
where every brick and style
has its story . . .

May Justice
forever prevail
in these hallowed halls of history.

Owl
http://www.constitutionalcourt.org.za/site/home.htm


[This message has been edited by OwlSA (02-22-2009 08:06 AM).]

© Copyright 2009 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
1 posted 2009-02-22 07:10 AM


quote:
and a glass band
celebrates
transparency



This poem pulsates with your sense of justice and your ability to put emotions into words that always touch deeply.

Very impressive and thought provoking, dear Diana.

Love,
Margherita

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
2 posted 2009-02-22 07:24 AM


I feel very honoured by your kind words, Margherita.

The glass band is a short (from top to bottom) all around the building which one would have to bend down see through, but which symbolises the transparency that the government now has.  Although it is good that much of the corruption of the government is laid bare, it is a pity that it is there in the first place.  May that change at our upcoming elections on 22 April this year.

Owl

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
3 posted 2009-02-22 07:37 AM


Corruption of the government's components is a plague that has spread all over the world, sadly. May a new consciousness and the desire of transparency be contagious. Good luck for your upcoming important event!

Thank you, Diana!

Love,
Margherita

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
4 posted 2009-02-22 08:03 AM


Thank you Margherita.  Yes you are right, sadly. Thank you for your good wishes.  Since I replied to you I added a link to our Constitutional Court.

Owl

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
5 posted 2009-02-22 09:00 AM


Sad to say that even with new elections  we get more of the same no matter what was promised to get elected. All one can do is hope for change for the better.


M

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
6 posted 2009-02-22 09:53 AM


Maureen, isn't it a bit early to tell for the USA?

Owl

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
7 posted 2009-02-22 10:59 AM


Diana I wasn't speaking about The Presidency. I always respect our President and  hope that the decisions are best for all.

You may not realize it, but where I live in PA. we have many small boroughs and townships (or maybe cities and towns for others and of course the 50 states for all) that actually run  much smaller governments that we also elect every so many years.  

M

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
8 posted 2009-02-22 11:05 AM


Oh, I see what you mean.  Yes, I can imagine.  

Owl

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
9 posted 2009-02-22 11:59 AM


good read
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
10 posted 2009-02-22 04:14 PM


Thanks, vandana.
LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
11 posted 2009-02-22 09:36 PM



May Justice
forever prevail
in these hallowed halls of history.

I enjoyed your post dear Diana. I have read a lot of books on Africa, including the Long Walk by Nelsen Mandela, The greatest man in my lifetime. I also have as no 1 in my book case, Jock of The Bushveldt. Two wonderful books. Take care, love

Lindsay

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
12 posted 2009-02-23 11:14 AM


Thank you, Lindsay!  Wow!  "A Long Walk To Freedom" and "Jock of the Bushveld"!  You must have felt unbelievably enriched by both of them.  I am very impressed.  They are both on my wish list, but I know I will need a shipload of tissues (Kleenexes) for each of them.  

Nelson Mandela is my (and half a million other people's) hero!  

Owl

Alison
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
13 posted 2009-02-25 12:04 PM


Dear Owl,

Well expressed, my friend.  You done did good.

Alison

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
14 posted 2009-02-25 11:11 AM


Thank you, Alison.  

Owl

garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
15 posted 2009-02-25 07:38 PM


"Desperation
has given breach-birth
to a shimmering infant, Hope;"


This is so true of much of our world today. This is a
very informative read. Very good writing, Owl.
Hugs,
Ethel
Some of my poetry links--

Ethels Creations  My Inspirational Pages
Ethels Heart Poems  
Ethels Love Poetry
   My SpiritIsUp Poetry Shelf



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Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
16 posted 2009-02-25 08:18 PM


Yo dear Owl,

This is good work.

Of course I'm not in favor of locking people up at all, and never have been.

Love Bobby

Oklahoma Rose
Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586
Oklahoma USA
17 posted 2009-02-25 08:28 PM


Well, I am one of those people, who believe only what I see. Very little of what I am told. It seems like nothing is ever what is told it will be.
ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
18 posted 2009-02-25 11:01 PM


Yes there has been a history of injustices that need to be addressed.
Hopefully everything can keep moving forward in a progressive organized peaceful manner.

Very touching write.

Eric

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
19 posted 2009-02-26 10:52 AM


Thank you, Ethel. I'm glad you especially enjoyed and agreed with the part about Hope.  

Thanks, Bobby.

I'm sorry to hear that, Sue.

Thank you, Eric.  It is so possible, broadly speaking.

Owl

poddarku
Senior Member
since 2008-01-15
Posts 589
india
20 posted 2009-04-28 09:02 AM


A lesson of history and humanity. Exceptional poetry.

clever talks delay friendship!

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
21 posted 2009-04-28 09:58 AM


Dear Diana, have you ever thought of running for office? The world would be a better place if we had more politicians of the likes of you! ~ Equality for creatures both great and small!

"Desperation
has given breach-birth
to a shimmering infant, Hope;"

~ You're quite the writer! ~ and I like the way you think!

Love & Light,

Linda

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
22 posted 2009-04-28 11:18 AM


Desperation
has given breach-birth
to a shimmering infant, Hope;

May that infant thrive! *S* Wonderful write, my friend!

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
23 posted 2009-04-28 12:34 PM


Thank you, Kushal.  I hadn’t thought of it like that.  A good mix, if I say so myself, but only after your drawing my attention to it!  

Giggles, Linda.  In theory, I would love to do that.  However, I don’t suffer stupidity (as in blind stupidity and a refusal to hear what somebody else has to say which is prevalent here, and probably everywhere) and evil gladly.  Ignorance, is a completely different kettle of fish.  I started teaching pretty soon after my birth, and still do so, informally and free and on request, from e.g.  colleagues and I absolutely love teaching to bits.  

My son would make an excellent politician, and has been asked to get into local politics by several people (including me, though very grudgingly by me, because of the danger and the above that I would hate for him, but that he would be so good at handling, as he does in his capacity as Chairman of Sector Policing Forum and Deputy Chairman of Community Policing Forum and as a police reservist (all of the above unpaid)).  

Thank you Ruth.  I am the eternal optimist, but even I am struggling to continue to be one, after our recent elections.  I have always been proud to be a South African until now.  It is not so much the party that won the elections on 22 April last week (though that party isn’t my choice), but the man who is going to be our president who makes me now hang my head in shame and embarrassment.  Amongst many other things, we will be the laughing stock of the world.  However, there is more to being a South African than the president of the country (or so I keep trying to convince myself).   Smiles.

Owl

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
24 posted 2009-04-28 12:47 PM


"and a glass band
celebrates transparency" I wish I had written that.
                               Ida

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
25 posted 2009-04-28 01:41 PM


You just did, Ida!  Smiles.

Owl

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