Madiba

I found peace at the close of day

In his own words this is what he said


Together we walked side by side

on the long road to freedom


We shared the joy of living

and together we savoured

the sweet taste of freedom


The last time I saw him alive

he had become an old man

weak and helpless

reduced to a shadow

of his former self

and now

the inevitable

has happened


I don't consider that he was my friend

He was my elder brother


Dear Madiba you had

abundant reserves of love and tolerance

such a firm belief in justice and equality

that could not be shaken

and continually you served

as a source of enormous strength

for many people around the world


But now I have lost you

my life is a void


I don't know who to turn to

in the solstice of my life


Winter solstice comes early

on the twenty first


Well we're not quite

there yet then are we ?


Every day is getting shorter


Golden days of winter light


Silver clouds in golden light

giving hope for years to come

beneath the setting of the sun