Sunday, December 15, 2013

A tribute to Nelson Mandela







Do not stand by my grave & grieve
I'm not here, wrapped in leopard skin
I am where the wind blows cruelest
So my words will scatter like grains  

Ripening land of corn & fruits 
Do not stand by my grave & grieve
I'm not here, draped in flag honors
I am where the night reigns darkest 

Burning candles beacon for peace
After slaughtering the ox, feast
Do not stand by my grave & grieve
I'm not here, blessed in holy water

I am where sky blues grass field 
And sun browns our faces with joy
Sing & dance in celebration
Do not stand by my grave & grieve
Beloved Father of Freedom, 
We bid you Farewell Madiba!

Posted for Imaginary Garden for Real Toads - In Memoriam
Poetry form:   Quartern
Shared with Poets United

 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all ~
Posted by at
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37 comments:

  1. Kerry O'ConnorDecember 15, 2013 at 7:11 AM

    This is wonderful, Grace. If I did not know better, I would think these words were written by one who lives in Africa. You show an amazing empathy and understanding of the African perspective when it comes to death and the afterlife. This is a moving and fitting tribute.

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    1. GraceDecember 15, 2013 at 7:36 AM

      I was reading about your country's culture on dying and the afterlife ~ Thank you for the timely tribute to a fine man ~

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  2. Marcoantonio Arellano (Nene)December 15, 2013 at 7:36 AM

    yes, Madiba, is a man who cannot and does not lie in one single space but hovers over all spce where his soul touched and touches still in perpetuity.

    As always, you wrote this with the 'grace' expected of you

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  3. Magical Mystical TeacherDecember 15, 2013 at 8:01 AM

    Not there in the grave, but everywhere...indeed!

    A Wordle Whiff of Christmas

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  4. NataĊĦekDecember 15, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    so true.. this is perfect... this line especially
    "I am where the wind blows cruelest
    So my words will scatter like grain"
    and may his wisdom be scattered like grain, and may it blossom.

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  5. Brian MillerDecember 15, 2013 at 8:15 AM

    i like how empowering he is even in death, not to grieve at the grave but to be about the things that he showed....the form works well in this....nicely done grace....

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  6. MaryDecember 15, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    This is beautiful, Grace! You have given Mandela voice...beautifully. I picture him JUST as you have written him.

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  7. Optimistic ExistentialistDecember 15, 2013 at 8:44 AM

    What a beautiful tribute to one of my personal heroes and inspirations. We could all learn so much from the lessons that he taught the world. Beautifully written.

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  8. GabriellaDecember 15, 2013 at 8:45 AM

    What a wonderful poem and tribute, Grace! Mandela was/is my hero but strangely I have not written about him since he died so I am glad others have. Especially when the poem is as thoughtful as yours!

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  9. AM ZafaranDecember 15, 2013 at 8:48 AM

    Beautiful, thoughtful tribute!

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  10. hedgewitchDecember 15, 2013 at 9:47 AM

    The feel of this is balanced and right, cutting to the essence. You describe how many feel, Grace, with true intuitive insight.

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  11. Sumana RoyDecember 15, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    you have captivated his spirit in your poem....

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  12. humbirdDecember 15, 2013 at 10:24 AM

    Beautiful tribune! Feeling of his figure, spreading all over the world!

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  13. Pat HattDecember 15, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    Hopefully what he taught lives on and great tribute too. You also didn't keep the snow, now we have it lol

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  14. Gillena CoxDecember 15, 2013 at 12:17 PM

    i agree with your poetic words, i believe he would want each one of us to continue his great work in whatever niche we find ourselves, but "to stand and greive" no

    much love...

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  15. jossinaDecember 15, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    the spirit forever , remains with all the goodness......where needed.... beautiful

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  16. Sherry Blue SkyDecember 15, 2013 at 1:43 PM

    This is my favourite of all of the poems, Grace, because it reflects joy and peace, which must be his, now, and what his wishes for his people would surely be. Beautifully done.

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  17. Kay L. DaviesDecember 15, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    You are such a true poet, Grace, touching the heart of the matter, showing the wisdom of the man, the heart of the hero.
    Love, K

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  18. revelationsDecember 15, 2013 at 3:40 PM

    great write Grace.. you always manage to delve into the subject in a beautiful way...

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  19. SusanDecember 15, 2013 at 5:19 PM

    Wow! You speak true. As Walt Whitman said ... look for me under your boot soles .... This is going in my file of poems I cannot live without. All of the allusions, the repetition, the meter, the directions ... perfect and alive.

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  20. Susie ClevengerDecember 15, 2013 at 5:47 PM

    This is so beautiful Grace...he will never truly be gone.

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  21. TALONDecember 15, 2013 at 9:56 PM

    Just so honorable and beautiful, Grace. Perfection.

    Wishing you a blessed and beautiful holiday season.

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  22. AnonymousDecember 16, 2013 at 4:26 AM

    Amen to your words Grace - a wonderful Ode to such a great man

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  23. Vandana SharmaDecember 16, 2013 at 6:46 AM

    How true, we shoul follow his footsteps and not let his deeds to flow by crying.

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  24. Anand S UnniDecember 16, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    This is just truly him. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this. Just splendid. I tried writing one too, but ain't this good. What a great tribute, perhaps the best you could offer to a man who laid of his life every single day for uplifting not just a society but also the love in their hearts, Like he said in his autobiography, his long walk to freedom shall never end. It shall continue to guide more lives onto salvation.

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  25. AnonymousDecember 16, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    This really hit me: "...I am where the wind blows cruelest..." such courage.
    Joyful Holidays to you as well Grace! Nice to be connecting with you. You were my inspiration to connect with d'Verse!

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  26. AnonymousDecember 16, 2013 at 1:59 PM

    Wonderful tribute! Merry Christmas to you, too! xo

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  27. ND MitchellDecember 16, 2013 at 3:10 PM

    Beautiful and moving words Grace.

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  28. AditiDecember 17, 2013 at 2:27 AM

    A wonderful tribute to a man whose aura spread wide and across all continents. Yes we should not grieve him but appreciate and spread the joy,love,wisdom of his world...don't let him die...he remains with us in thought and his words...

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  29. ayalaDecember 17, 2013 at 9:14 AM

    A great poem for a great man!

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  30. Elsie AmataDecember 17, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    An absolutely beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. As always, thank you!

    Have a fantastic week!!

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  31. the walking manDecember 18, 2013 at 9:08 AM

    I had a friend who was a Catholic priest in the Natal. He had been picked up and tortured enough times for him to want to quit SA, even the priesthood. His words kept me in Detroit and his faith kept him in SA. He was killed the year Madiba was released. I am certain they both now sleep comfortably away from the rot and ruin of this place.

    I take comfort in your words Grace.

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  32. AnonymousDecember 19, 2013 at 5:43 AM

    This is a lovely tribute with great rhythm and wonderful repetition. You use your repeated line like chant - really well done. k.

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  33. AnonymousDecember 20, 2013 at 4:17 AM

    graceful and strong, Grace ~

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  34. DEZMONDDecember 21, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    Merry Christmas to you as well, Grace, hope you're enjoying a warm prefestive weekend

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    Replies
    1. DEZMONDDecember 21, 2013 at 1:28 PM

      PS where did your second site go missing? :) You used to have a link for it in the sidebar

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    2. GraceDecember 23, 2013 at 9:47 AM

      Its here: http://a-sweetlust.blogspot.ca/

      Delete

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