Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Greatness (in honor of Nelson Mandela International Day 7/18/2018)

“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve 

greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” 

― William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night

 2018 – The Nelson Mandela Centenary

"Nelson Mandela International Day 2018 marks 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela. The Centenary is an occasion to reflect on his life and legacy, and to follow his call to 'make of the world a better place.'. . . The Nelson Mandela Foundation is dedicating this year's Mandela Day to Action Against Poverty, honouring Nelson Mandela's leadership and devotion to fighting poverty and promoting social justice for all."

It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.

- Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

🐳

Midweek Motif ~ Greatness 

Synonyms for "greatness" fall into two categories that may have little to do with each other:

➤eminence, distinction, illustriousness, repute, high standing; importance, significance; celebrity, fame, prominence, renown ~ "a child destined for greatness"
➤genius, prowess, talent, expertise, mastery, artistry, virtuosity, skill, proficiency; flair, finesse; caliber, distinction ~ "her greatness as a writer"

I think Mandela had greatness in both senses.   Do you agree?

Your Challenge: In your one new poem, use greatness as a theme.  You could reflect on the elimination of poverty, on Nelson Mandela, or on some other revelation of  greatness.

Source

Song of the Builders by Mary Oliver

On a summer morning

I sat down

on a hillside

to think about God - 

a worthy pastime.

Near me, I saw

a single cricket; 

it was moving the grains of the hillside 

this way and that way.

How great was its energy, 

how humble its effort.

Let us hope 

it will always be like this, 

each of us going on

in our inexplicable ways

building the universe.

Invictus 

BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY

Out of the night that covers me, 

      Black as the pit from pole to pole, 

I thank whatever gods may be 

      For my unconquerable soul. 

In the fell clutch of circumstance 

      I have not winced nor cried aloud. 

Under the bludgeonings of chance 

      My head is bloody, but unbowed. 

Beyond this place of wrath and tears 

      Looms but the Horror of the shade, 

And yet the menace of the years 

      Finds and shall find me unafraid. 

It matters not how strait the gate, 

      How charged with punishments the scroll, 

I am the master of my fate, 

      I am the captain of my soul. 

🐳

Please share your new poem using Mr. Linky below and visit others in the spirit of the community—

(Next week Sumana’s Midweek Motif will be ~ wilderness.)

Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Leaders/Leadership

“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” 

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

“I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom 

and equality and justice and prosperity for all people.” 

― Rosa Parks

Today's Motif: Leaders/Leadership

Write an ode celebrating an historical leader or fantasy hero.  Here in the USA, I am thinking of President's Day and its emphasis on George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, but there are many other choices living and dead and fictional and not yet created. What do you see as leadership?

I am inspired by Botlahle's performance poem that won the South Africa's Got Talent competition last year:  

(Next week's Midweek Motif will be Success)

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