Poetry Report: Nelson Mandela

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“A Portrait of Forgiveness”

Peace is with us, because of you. Thank you, Nelson Mandela.

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A Portrait of Forgiveness


I once did a portrait
of Nelson Mandela
based on a photograph.

It was a pastel.
Black and white and red
on gray paper.

Strangely,
he's wearing a suit
and he isn't wearing
his usual smile.

Behind the eyes
is the deep
concentration of a
chess grand master
who spent 27
years planning
a single move.

I chose red under
the darks
and the lights
to give it depth.

Red, I discovered
is what brings the
shadows and
the highlights
together.

Would you choose
forgiveness
after 27 years
of jail?

We should be
thankful,
he chose forgiveness,

he let us know
what its red glow
looks like,
emanating from
a human face.

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[Photo found at kidcyber.]