6.12.13

Haiku: Nelson Mandela - In Memoriam...

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." Nelson Mandela

Haiku: Nelson Mandela - Madiba Rest In Peace

Nelson Mandela
Tata Madiba, Goodbye!
God called Khulu home...

He fought Apartheid
The rainbow nation would thrive
Black, White, Colored, all

The struggle is done
South Africa's people freed
Your legacy, sealed...


 This week, the prompt is: Rainbow


What is a haiku?
 As Leo of Haiku Heights aptly explains, a haiku is a three line poem. It shows what the author wants us to understand from it, rather than tell it directly. The limitation to a haiku is seventeen syllables. It can be at maximum, that much. If you wish to go by the traditional Japanese structure even with English haiku, you can use a 5-7-5 syllable, or 3-5-3 syllable structure





I've used the prompts from this week's haiku to create a memorial for one of Africa's great sons; Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, 1918-2013, who passed away today at the age of 95. He paid a great price for his fight against the oppressive, racist Apartheid regime in his native, South Africa, spending 27 years imprisoned in a tiny cell in Robben's Island. Many believed he would never be set free and that Apartheid would end in a bloody war. In February 1990, he was released and started a new journey on the path to full liberation of all people in his nation.

Like many others around the world, I celebrated his freedom and rejoiced when he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, and when he became South Africa's first democratically elected Black President. His death brings great sadness to my heart. My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends around the world. If you'd like to learn more about the legacy of this great son of Africa, The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory has documented much on his life. Take a moment to visit the site. What are your memories of Nelson Mandela? I have added more below.

More Below!

"A fundamental concern for others, in our individual and community lives, would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of." Nelson Mandela

 
Nelson Mandela: A mural by Thierry Ehrmann in the Abode of Chaos museum



Nelson Mandela: Voting in 1994 elections for the Presidency



Our beautiful dreams
First, must uplift all people
Nelson Mandela

The music we hear
Is universal in scope
Like humanity

Apartheid is dead
Mandela's Africa sings
Long live Madiba!

 Today, the words are:  Beautiful Dreams, Nidhöggr 
 


What is Carpe DiemBlog Owner, Kristjaan Panneman,  describes it as:  "a weblog on haiku. It's a new daily haiku meme where you can write a classical or non-classical haiku on a given prompt. Haiku is an ancient Japanese poetry form. A haiku has three short lines and describes a short moment (as short as the sound of a pebble thrown into water). Mostly a haiku counts 5-7-5 syllables and is sometimes called 'counted verse."



As the year winds itself down, and the holiday season kicks into full gear, I hope we will all spend some time reflecting on the many events that have occurred around us this year. Let us take a moment or two to express our gratitude for the good, our forgiveness for the bad, and our prayers and compassion for those who have passed on. Let’s send our love and well wishes to all.

If you have not read/heard much about Nelson Mandela and the Apartheid regime that held South Africa hostage for many, many years, I'd encourage you to read his autobiography: Long Road To Freedom, and to visit his Foundation's website. You won't be disappointed; it is an inspirational education in the resilience and courage of the human spirit. Please say a prayer for Nelson Mandela and his family. May he rest in peace and may God's love and grace comfort his family.


Some Food for Thought: Do you remember the release of Nelson Mandela? Were you aware of Apartheid when you were a kid? If you could change one thing in the world in honor of Nelson Mandela, what would that be? Love and Peace during this holiday season in 2013!

I would love to hear from you: Please leave me a comment. Thank You!

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photographs: Nelson Mandela in 2008, Nelson Mandela voting, Nelson Mandela portrait via Wikipedia, News media, Flickr or my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet



48 comments:

  1. He definitely has made a huge and important mark, not only in Africa, but the world.

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    1. I agree Van, his impact will be felt for years; even his haters will know in their hearts that he made a difference in this world.

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  2. Madiba was a man of courage and action. He gave his life for his people in South Africa and to end the Apartheid regime. He lived a full and productive life and I am grateful to have been a witness to his mark on history. Tata Madiba RIP... Hamba kakuhle! Enkosi kakhulu!
    Elizabeth

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  3. A befitting tribute.. Well said
    Goz..

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    1. TY Goz, I took a creative leap and used the rainbow and other haiku prompts to create a memorial in his honor... TY for checking in.
      Eliz

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  4. Replies
    1. Amen to that and TY Janz for your kinds words here and on my other blog: http://mirthandmotivation.com/2013/12/05/nelson-mandela-madiba-r-i-p/

      Eliz

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  5. very nice Haiku tribute for a great person who fought against racial discrimination (ourfamilyblogsabout.info)

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    1. TY Allan! He was a great messenger of his time and I pray that we will continue to find leaders of courage in our complex world.
      Eliz

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  6. nelson mandela was a true statesman. no doubt his influence will live for many years to come.

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    1. I agree with you Rose. Of course, there are those hateful souls who will choose to see it through their own dark lens, but the truth can never be overshadowed by hate. TY for your comment.
      Eliz

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  7. Apt,really apt for the present situation.

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  8. TY Rudraprayaga, I did take a bit of poetic license on this one. I appreciate the feedback.
    Eliz :-)

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  9. This was a lovely tribute and a clever way to work in the prompt. Well done!

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  10. beautiful haiku tribute for a beautiful person... i love the line too where you wrote: "Let us take a moment or two to express our gratitude for the good, our forgiveness for the bad, and our prayers and compassion for those who have passed on." i personally will put this to heart and to practice. :)

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    1. TY Linnor, I take that to heart myself. There are so many of us who find it so hard to forgive, and it shows up in little nasty ways not always big ways, that the holiday season and the end of year is a good time to forge ahead with a new attitude towards all. TY! :-)

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  11. Wonderful legacy to a great man ... well done

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    1. TY Bjorn, he was truly great in my book too. TY for always checking in. :-)

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  12. You have used nice words for the good man. :-)

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    1. TY Michelle, I wrote what was on my heart and how I experienced his life. TY! :-)

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  13. RIP Nelson Mandela. My parents cried when they found out about his death :(

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    1. Wow Jhari, your comment made me cry too... He did touch the hearts of many people, and for many of us, we knew what his work accomplished. May he RIP. TY! :-)

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  15. I remember the Mandela song every time I see a picture of him.

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    1. Yes, I do too... It was very popular and a bit on an ear-worm song too. :-)

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  16. Sad to hear about his passing.. He was really a great person which helped South Africa develop.

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    1. Indeed. He brought a lot of healing to the region. I hope the legacy will continue...

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  17. A true leader, a real inspiration ... he will always be missed !!!

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    1. TY Amrit! He will be missed by many... perhaps even a few detractors too. ;-)

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  18. What a lovely tribute for such a lovely man. I remember my father telling me about him when I was a child. He will be remembered.

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    1. My parents told us about him too so my memory is full of such stories from the harsher days to his release. TY!

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  19. Beautiful haiku for a great leader! RIP Nelson Mandela.

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    1. RIP Tata Madiba! TY Lady Anne and welcome back.

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  20. Nelson Mandela was such an inspiration to the world. This generation and the past few ones are lucky to have "known" him.

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    1. I agree with you and i hope we will see many more inspired leaders in our world. There is so much hate and hurt that we need a lot of healing. TY!

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  21. His legacy will always be remembered not only in Africa but all over the world.

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    1. It will and I'm glad that many came out to celebrate and remember his name. He was a great son of Africa. TY!

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  22. I have known him through our history subject and I must agree with everyone that he made a great difference in our world. He maybe gone now but his legacy will live forver. May he rest in peace.

    Mommy Maye
    www.momaye.com

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    1. Amen! He will be remembered and even those who didn't support his path will see the work of his heart continue to bear fruit. TY!

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  23. Hes is such an inspiration to the new generations. A lot of people will gonna missed him:(

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    1. True Melgie! My prayer is that we continue to raise compassionate children who care about their fellow men and women the rest is up to us.

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  24. Nelson Mandela was and will always be a very respected leader whose spirit remained indomitable no matter how dark the times were. I hope we are able to carry forward his philosophy to make the world a better and all inclusive one for our children...

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    1. TY Reshma and so good to see you here. I've been AWOL myself with stuff going on offline. Mandela's memory will live on in our collective memory forever.
      TY for stopping in.
      Eliz

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  25. he has influenced so many people and is loved by many more. he has tremendously made a mark in many people's lives!

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    1. So true Farida! He made a mark on many lives including mien. :-)

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  26. he has influenced so many people and is loved by many more. he has tremendously made a mark in many people's lives!

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  27. I cannot imagine being imprisoned for 27 years. His life is a lesson on hope and perseverance.

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