Quiet Dawn

My weeping for Nelson Mandela's death

Quiet Dawn

A great stillness has come
A blanket of quiet covers the people
The birds sing in hushed voice
Sadness stands silent in the dawn
Tata Nkulu walks now with the Ancestors
Madiba has gone
My heart is broken
I weep in silence
Never to hear his voice soft spoken
All my shallow needs and empty deeds
Ashamed I turn to look
Upon his life so humble
His grace drowned out hatred
His calm tamed a storm
His strength bridged an abyss
His dignity crushed all shame
His love infused each house hold
His smile lit our shores
His stride took us forward
His laughter brought us hope
His strength carried our weakness
Ah, Rolihlahla
You made a man of me
So insignificant our silly pursuit
Of power grown in greed and want
We stand quietly empty
As we watch the sun rise
Alas a sun you will not see again
As I sit my heart broken
The birds stop singing in grief
Just to hear your soft words spoken

Robert Reid “Painted Dog”
For Madiba on his Death Day December 6, 2013