You were the rebel, the prisoner, the fighter for a people without rights,
a people who fought valiantly and with hopes and visions of equality.

Such a pity, the greater population of the world lived in ignorance
and denial of the existence of the endless fight and plight of a people.

War in the streets, the blood and bodies of men, women and children
was common sight witnessed and price paid to gain basic rights of human.

After over a quarter of a century and pressures building to gain your freedom;
unconditionally, you arose like the phoenix and emerged to greet sunlight.  

A continuing mission of freedom and liberation of a people oppressed,
remained upper most in the heart and mind of one who would not rest.

You emerged from the darkness, seeing the walls of apartheid standing,
standing strong against your beliefs and be architect of it's destruction.

Who could foresee that the island with bars housing a man with resolve
would foster a journey of a prisoner to wise and great leader of a people?

When I was a little girl, having grown weary from braiding countless tall blades of grass,
I lay staring at clear blue sky, listening, repeating verses you set to tune and strummed.  
It was morn of your twenty something birthday, who, but you, knew I was gifted in song?
Uncle, you heard a girl echo your words, then called me over, asking me to sing with you.  

I was thinking of you as I sang one of the songs you wrote so long ago, seems a lifetime.
I think and remember all the good times and when you'd say, "Come on little bit, get it!"
That while you were strumming your guitar and showing me some of your how to's.  
Miss you much, musically gifted with meeting of minds, best guitar walker in the place.

At studio, had memories of you and the happy times and, of what you meant to me,
closed my eyes a few times while running songs with guitarist, sighed, he wasn't you.  
I wondered during session, if anyone but you, would've recognize in me what you saw.
May you rest in peace and wish you had the chance to realize how gifted you were.

I will forever treasure the smart, strong, inovative, loving, caring,(I could go on and on),
men in my life who set examples, giving me knowledge needed to pass on to my sons.
Loved you so much! You were a fellow musician, my protector, my guru, my friend.  
I still grieve your loss and celebrate your life and fact that you always found humor in life.