Liberia Mourns Nelson Mandela

                                             

Tribute: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela [1918 – 2013]

Here, tears laced, the
broken heart must dance

What must have
been a great loss to Afrika

Has turn into stumping
     feet of songs for joy in Soweto!

In merriment of a
drum major who played the bass 

Gandhi must be pleased
that apartheid mailed us

Two giants---fathers of two nations
sprung like wells from evil

Excellence is inexplicable where
     malevolence brings out the worse in man

Others will see beyond it,
forgiving their pesters like rain washes dust!

King must be pleased,
the legacy continued continents apart!

Madiba the soul of Africa
the gentle giant from Mveso

No, the whipping lashes of hate
     and prejudice produce light! Yes!

Here goes the General who subdued
Robben Island and conquered Pollsmoor

Victor Verster ain’t go nothing
on you--for yours was the

Underground railway behind intimidate
prison walls, freedom still

We sing, today, so that others may live
     because you gave---Liberia mourns!

From Cape Palmas to Cape Mount to the
Hills of Saclapea and slums of Claratown!

The grumblings are heard from Pleebo
to the river banks on the Montserrado!

The rumblings downtown Waterside Market
punctuate the still air---a flower has withered

Let’s dance to the beating rhythm
     from Soweto, Nelson Mandela, Aluta!

Let’s dance to the beating rhythm
from Soweto, Nelson Mandela, Aluta!

Ralph Geeplay is editor of the www.liberianlistener.com