Nelson Mandela International Day

Let’s paint a picture
of life’s scheme laced with kindness
of spirits buoyed by
patience and humility
Picture this utopia 

Let’s take it further
Imagine one who forgives
…looking beyond ills
to lift his nation’s spirits
He pulled heaven closer still

©Vivian Zems

Poets United Midweek Motif- Greatness

dVerse poetics 7 and 7

Colleen’s Tanka Challenge #93 Inspiration & Plan- synonyms

Vivian Zems

Mum, author and dentist is how I describe myself. I love creating pictures from words. Sometimes a painter, other times a weaver- words are my tool; trying to create something beautiful. When I was nine, my dad introduced me to audio books. I was hooked. With his guidance, I fell into a world where words became life simply by weaving them together. So here I am, living out my passion- reading and writing! Enjoy the ride with me 😁😁

Author archive Author website

July 18, 2018

Poems, Tanka

buoyed spirits, forgiveness, greatness, kindness, Nelson Mandela, scheme

37 thoughts on “Nelson Mandela International Day”

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Susan
July 18, 2018 at 6:04 pm

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Here’s another poem moving me to tears today. I am picturing “life’s scheme laced with kindness” and forgiveness, and feeling the presence of God.

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- Vivian Zems
  July 18, 2018 at 10:33 pm
  
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  Indeed… I’m not surprised. He was truly great in his humility.
  
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Sherry Blue sky
July 18, 2018 at 6:24 pm

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Kindness, vision, a dream of social justice…..and when he rose to power he treated whites with respect, even after all he had been through. True greatness.

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- Vivian Zems
  July 18, 2018 at 10:32 pm
  
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  He embodied everything we ought to strive for
  
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Walt Page, The Tennessee Poet
July 18, 2018 at 6:30 pm

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We need more like him.

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- Vivian Zems
  July 18, 2018 at 10:32 pm
  
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  Absolutely!❤️
  
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Charmed Chaos
July 18, 2018 at 6:46 pm

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Beautiful Vivian. I agree with Walt.

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- Vivian Zems
  July 18, 2018 at 10:31 pm
  
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  Thank you Linda😊
  
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  - Charmed Chaos
    July 18, 2018 at 10:35 pm
    
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    😊
    
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Gospel Isosceles
July 18, 2018 at 7:31 pm

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“He pulled heaven closer still”

Indeed, Vivian. Thank you for bringing to mind and heart his words and life well-lived.

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- Vivian Zems
  July 18, 2018 at 10:31 pm
  
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  Thank you 🙏🏾- he was one of a kind
  
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Therisa
July 18, 2018 at 8:11 pm

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Nelson Mandela is a man, who has experienced the whole evolution of his soul, from an angry young man espousing violence to the elder statesman, who helped to dismantle the ticking time bomb South Africa was. For this alone, I vote him, human of the last century.

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- Vivian Zems
  July 18, 2018 at 10:31 pm
  
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  I second that vote… where can we find another like him?
  
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Panchali
July 18, 2018 at 9:21 pm

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Terrific piece, Vivian! Mandela gave us an example of the best of humanity rather than of the worst of humanity that racism portrays…Unfortunately most of us prefer our everyday bickering and hate rather to see the goodness in our fellow men..

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- Vivian Zems
  July 18, 2018 at 10:30 pm
  
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  Indeed. True words you’ve spoken here He was special. Thank you 🙏🏾
  
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katiemiafrederick
July 19, 2018 at 12:00 am

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A Resilient Human
SpiriT AGaiNST DaRK
Struggles iN LiFE
CoMiNG
OuT
oF PriSoN
to Change the
World TRuLY
an example
of Virtue Nelson
Mandela Day it is
aLWays As Human
Conquers DaRK FoR LoVELiGHT..:)

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- Vivian Zems
  July 19, 2018 at 12:46 am
  
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  Perfectly said! Thank you for your thoughts 😊
  
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  - katiemiafrederick
    July 19, 2018 at 1:17 am
    
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    Thank you
    Vivian.. a Great
    Man he is..:)
    
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Colleen Chesebro
July 19, 2018 at 12:30 am

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Vivian, amazing words dedicated to an amazing man. You did good work today. I love it! ❤️❤️❤️

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- Vivian Zems
  July 19, 2018 at 12:45 am
  
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  Thanks Colleen. Very few humans have attained Mandela’s integrity.
  
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  - Colleen Chesebro
    July 19, 2018 at 2:10 am
    
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    I totally agree with you, Vivian. This was a gorgeous tribute! ❤
    
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    - Vivian Zems
      July 20, 2018 at 7:12 am
      
      Thanks Colleen 😊
      
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rothpoetry
July 19, 2018 at 12:57 am

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We do have some great example of persons who could teach the crude and brash the proper way to communicate. Well done!

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oldegg
July 19, 2018 at 1:02 am

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This so moving, so beautiful Vivian. Sadly there are so few world leaders that are like this but merely think of themselves first and ensure they make a profit from their time here.

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Grace
July 19, 2018 at 1:51 am

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A lovely tribute to a great man !!!

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- Vivian Zems
  July 20, 2018 at 7:12 am
  
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  Thank you 😊
  
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Sumana Roy
July 19, 2018 at 4:34 am

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“…. life’s scheme laced with kindness / of spirits…”….Isn’t it tragic to think of this as utopia? Oh, so sad!…A wonderful tribute to man who was the living embodiment of freedom.

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- Vivian Zems
  July 20, 2018 at 7:10 am
  
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  It’s tragic- makes realise how far we’ve fallen
  
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Frank Hubeny
July 19, 2018 at 4:38 am

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I like the idea in the last line of pulling heaven closer still.

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- Vivian Zems
  July 20, 2018 at 7:10 am
  
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  Thank you 😊
  
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Rall
July 20, 2018 at 12:51 am

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He did pull heaven closer still. An exceptional human being.

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- Vivian Zems
  July 20, 2018 at 7:09 am
  
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  Absolutely!
  
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Vashti Q
July 20, 2018 at 9:20 pm

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Hello, Vivian! Wow! Gorgeous and inspiring duo of Tankas. Loved it! ❤

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Khaya Ronkainen
July 25, 2018 at 8:02 am

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A beautiful tribute, Vivian!

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- Vivian Zems
  July 27, 2018 at 7:20 am
  
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  Thank you Khaya! By the way, where do I get your chapbook?
  
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  - Khaya Ronkainen
    July 27, 2018 at 9:50 am
    
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    Hi Vivian! You’re welcome. And thank you for interest in my chapbook. The e-version is available on Kindle http://www.amzn.com/B07DFQZDM5 and print version via Paypal. ❤
    
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