keeping the vigil

[keiliss]

Go gentle into that good night, Tata.
In life you burned and raved and raged against the death of our light. Your words forked lightning across our land; your convictions danced around your captors. You turned your back on ten thousand suns in flight for us, and grieved wild youth in concrete cold through years of night. You saw with blinding sight and fierce tears that our freedom was worth the ultimate cost: your own.
And you, my father, there on that sad height, gave your liberty, your family, your youth, your health, your very life, so we could have this freedom for which we show such cynical contempt.
And now, with fierce tears I pray
That you go gentle into that good night.

(Janice Winter)

Comments

[levade001.livejournal.com]

:'( He will be missed, but what a wonderful, incredible legacy for us all he left.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Someone posted excerpts from his Rivonia trial speech on FB earlier and I reread it for the first time in years. I have never read it and not cried. He wanted freedom and dignity for all and they took away 27 years of his life.

An old and gracious soul.

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

Oh no. I am so very saddened by this. Crying here. Beautiful post you made. I am so sad. We protested for his freedom and everything.

(upon googling - it is not certain he has passed away - confusing internet research here)

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Sorry Jane, didn't mean to confuse. It's such a major news item here, I didn't think. He's - well, like the subject line says, in the time between. He's been in hospital for weeks, they upgraded his status to critical days ago, there was a big family conference yesterday, the president just cancelled a trip to Mozambique ---. It's like waiting for your grandfather to pass. The poetry was just so beautiful, I wanted to share it.

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I see what you meant to do there. I browsed and got the update on the web. I just assumed he had passed away but he is on life support. We have major news going on here in the US (Supreme Court and marriage equality) so they are not covering him right now. I did see one thing on it.

Sorry I was so clueless. He has been very important in my life.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Nah, I should have thought. On life support yes, though officially we don't even say that here - it's un-African to talk about someone being close to passing. But we all know.

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

I hope he soon can move on and that his family is ready to let him go in love. *tight hug*

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

They had a big family meeting yesterday and I think came to terms with how things are, or I hope so. I think most of the country feels like we're keeping vigil now.

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

I can imagine, he is the nation's soul. Here we follow it closely as well (incl the debate amongst family where he should be buried o_O not surprisingly given the history between our countries). He has done so much..

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

I love that your country keeps up with what happens here, that the ties have stayed so strong :) Obama will be here this weekend so I'm sure nothing will happen - Madiba always had impeccable timing, and that would be complicated.

[huinare.livejournal.com]

I've been living with my head in the sand these days and had not been aware. Tearing up here. I hope he will be at peace soon.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

He's been in the hospital for a couple of weeks now and he's very old. Not long now.

[nienna-weeper.livejournal.com]

:( I knew he was in ICU but I didn't know until now that he had died. Rest in peace, dear man.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Sorry darling, I shouldn't have relied on a cryptic subject line to explain the post - he's still with us, but as my doctor said when my mom was going, he's in the waiting room.

[nienna-weeper.livejournal.com]

Ah... in the hallway between the 2 doors...

♥

[silver-trails.livejournal.com]

That was beautiful and inspiring.

I just read, he is still alive, but his end is coming, I suppose.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

There aren't many official details, both to respect his privacy and because it's against African culture to talk ahead of time about someone's death, but the president cancelled a trip out of the country tomorrow, so - very near, I think.

I thought the words were wonderful and wanted to share them.

[sbyte.livejournal.com]

He has made such a difference in the lives of so many. Too few people can say as much.

Time has passed, and the wheel will turn. I don't know where the saying originated, but as he prepares to leave this life, it seems sadly appropriate.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

That was beautiful and very appropriate. *hugs*

[minuial_nuwing]

Beautiful words for a beautiful soul. His life blessed us all.

**loves**

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Yes, it certainly has.

*hugs you*

[lilith-lessfair.livejournal.com]

That's a stunning poem and a fitting tribute to an incredible man.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

I loved the poem when I saw it and wanted to share. The original had a photograph of him as a young man, which I found really touching. It's been a long road.

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

His life has been an inspiration for everyone who wants to fight against injustice and for human rights. His legacy will live on.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

"Freedom is indivisible; the chains on any one of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me."

Yes.

[chaotic-binky.livejournal.com]

There is so much that the people of South Africa and the rest of the world have to thank Nelson Mandela for. May his passing be peaceful and his soul live in eternal grace forever more.

Thank you for posting this beautiful poem.

*hugs*

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

That was beautiful. The poem - I thought those are words for sharing.

*hugs*

[pandemonium-213.livejournal.com]

That poem is incredibly beautiful and such a tribute to this incredible man, who is and always will be one of the giants of history. May he leave this life in grace.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

One of those rare gems that suddenly turn up on Facebook (of all places) and shone. His life will receive so many tributes later, but this speaks with such a strong voice now.

[aglarien1.livejournal.com]

Truly a great man.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

That really sums him up, yes.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

His were footsteps that rocked our world and changed it to reflect an image of grace, dignity and hope.

- Erulisse (one L)

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

You don't have to get revenge, you don't have to pound your enemy into the dust. You achieve much more by holding out your hand and offering to work together. It's a huge lesson - I wonder if we're ready for it?

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

My hope for him is that he will now slip gently away, with his family around him, knowing he is loved by so many, and admired by so many more.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

I wish he could see all the flowers and cards outside the hospital and at the houses, he would be so touched.