Farewell Mandela Poem by ANTHONY ANIGBATA

in front of his monument, we all stood
with soggy eyes
and cheeks, washed white by weeping.
that freedom fighter has fallen
that prisoner persecuted
for seeking justice
has departed this path, leaving myriads legacies.

now lay his remains in that mausoleum
so we can come and pour our plaudits
though a hundred gun salutes cannot
equate his immeasurable sacrifices
we give it, knowing he will be evergreen
in our memory

let our sons learn to be like him
let our daughters have delight for we freed by him
let our grandchildren who
have gained from his gallant gestures,
often remember him
let our wives keep weeping,
for our hero has departed this path

madiba some call him
mandela others call him
nelson is also his known name;
that much loved actor has taken a final bow
after giving us a wonderful world to remember

farewell Mandela, farewell the Negro king
farewell the son of Africa, till we meet again