By: Cedric McClester

In 1964 an indictment was lodged
Against Nelson Mandela
Accused of sabotage
Which he never denied
Or tried to camouflage
The truth of the matter is
He was guilty by and large
And locked away until he was discharged

Twenty- seven years
In a prison cell
Like Dante’s Infernal
It was like hell
All he wanted was freedom
For his native land
Where because of apartheid
Things had gotten out  of hand

There on Robben Island
Where he would be still
If not for his courage
And his indomitable will
He led a movement
That endured and prevailed
Even from a prison cell
Locked down in jail

To say he was transformative
Understates the case
A man for the ages would be better
In its place
He changed a people’s destiny
Saw apartheid get erased
As the father of his country
His name has been encased




Cedric McClester, Copyright (c) 2018.  All rights reserved.