Nelson Mandela is the Great Soul of Africa-our symbol of hope. As a South African I mourn and celebrate his passing.
this poem(published 2012) is a tribute in the form of a Tanka (form poetry)




Nelson Mandela


Worthiest soldier
black Adonis we revere
martyr Mufasa

Immortals shudder in angst
when Great Gods whisper your name


(From my book Fragments of my Heart -Ronel McCarthy)

Comment is about Nelson Mandela: lighting candles around the world (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

here is my humble tribute. a great man without doubt. wish some of our recent PM's had been half as good.

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=40100

Comment is about Nelson Mandela: lighting candles around the world (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

It's hard to know how to comment on such a great iconic figure. It's all been said before and often much better.

I listened on the radio to Jack Straw talk about his meetings with Mandela. Something he focused on was Mandela's great ability to forgive. So many lessons to be learned - and from one man.

Comment is about Nelson Mandela: lighting candles around the world (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I think Mandela was responsible for a sense of warmth, unity and goodwill that was unprecedented in my lifetime, and that has been renewed by his death. Do click on the links at the bottom of the story, put together in haste when the news broke on Thursday night, and read the poems already posted on Write Out Loud in response to his passing.

Comment is about Nelson Mandela: lighting candles around the world (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

We have lived through some extraordinary times, and this man was such an exceptional human being. Good call, Greg, to post Invictus. Thank you to you, and to him.

Comment is about Nelson Mandela: lighting candles around the world (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks Greg, particularly for the reminder about Invictus. The poem gave its name to the marvelous film about the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which gives a picture of Mandela which is rounded and human but still inspirational.

And thanks for the link, Laura. The years rolled back.

Comment is about Nelson Mandela: lighting candles around the world (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks for this Greg. RIP Nelson Mandela.

And 'should there be no protest songs..?'

Special AKA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCZKZILvE70

Comment is about Nelson Mandela: lighting candles around the world (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman