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His Day is Done, a Tribute Poem for Nelson Mandela
3 MINUTE READ
December 9, 2013

His Day is Done, a Tribute Poem for Nelson Mandela

A Poem by Maya Angelou
on behalf of the American people

MandelaBW2

 

His day is done.
Is done.

The news came on the wings of a wind
Reluctant to carry its burden.

Nelson Mandela’s day is done.

The news, expected and still unwelcome
Reached us in the United States and suddenly

Our world became somber.
Our skies were leadened

His day is done.

We see you, South African people
Standing speechless at the slamming
Of that final door
Through which no traveler returns.

Our spirits reach out to you
Bantu, Zulu, Xhosa, Boer

We think of you
And your Son of Africa,
Your father
Your One More Wonder of the World.

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