Andrew Motion 

To Nelson Mandela: A Tribute

That straight walk from theprison to the gate -that walk the world saw, andwhich changed the world -
  
  


That straight walk from the
prison to the gate -
that walk the world saw, and
which changed the world -
it led you through to life from
life withheld,
from broken stones with your
unbroken heart.

To life which you imagined
and then lived,
which once we shared in your
imagining
but soon shared in the
present that you shaped:
the life which gave each
human hope its chance
of turning into truth and
staying true;
the life which understood
what changing takes;
the life which showed us we
become ourselves
in part by watching you
becoming you.

 

Leave a Comment

Required fields are marked *

*

*