His Day Is Done (2 page)

Even here in America

We felt the cool

Refreshing breeze of freedom

When Nelson Mandela took

The seat of the presidency

In his country

Where formerly he was not even allowed to vote.

We were enlarged by tears of pride

As we saw Nelson Mandela’s

Former prison guards

Invited, courteously, by him to watch

From the front rows

His inauguration.

We saw him accept

The world’s award in Norway

With the grace and gratitude

Of Solon in Ancient Grecian courts

And the confidence of African Chiefs

From ancient royal stools.

No sun outlasts its sunset

But will rise again

And bring the dawn.

Yes, Mandela’s day is done,

Yet we, his inheritors,

Will open the gates wider

For reconciliation.

And we will respond

Generously to the cries

Of the Blacks and Whites,

Asians, Hispanics,

The poor who live piteously

On the floor of our planet.

He has offered us understanding.

We will not withhold forgiveness

Even from those who do not ask.

Nelson Mandela’s day is done.

We confess it in tearful voices

Yet we lift our own to say:

Thank You.

Thank You, Our Gideon.

Thank You, Our David.

Our great courageous man.

We will not forget you.

We will not dishonor you.

We will remember and be glad

That you lived among us

That you taught us

And

That you loved us

All!

To all the world’s citizens
,

who lost a friend

when President Nelson Mandela died

BY MAYA ANGELOU

AUTOBIOGRAPHIES
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Gather Together in My Name
Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas
The Heart of a Woman
All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes
A Song Flung Up to Heaven
Mom & Me & Mom

ESSAYS
Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now
Even the Stars Look Lonesome
Letter to My Daughter

POETRY
Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ’fore I Diiie
Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well
And Still I Rise
Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing?
I Shall Not Be Moved
On the Pulse of Morning
Phenomenal Woman
The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou
A Brave and Startling Truth
Amazing Peace
Mother
Celebrations
His Day Is Done

CHILDREN
’
S BOOKS
Poetry for Young People
My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken, and Me
Kofi and His Magic

PICTURE BOOKS
Love’s Exquisite Freedom
Now Sheba Sings the Song
Life Doesn’t Frighten Me

COOKBOOKS
Great Food, All Day Long
Hallelujah! The Welcome Table