THE RAINBOW NATION OF SOUTH AFRICA

There is a Rainbow rising up high

Above our continent’s, most southern tip’s sky

A nation newly born

From hatred and confusion, we were torn

We are a star in the southern sky

Shining brightly, flying high

Look at us, we are here to teach

What we did is a goal anybody can reach

We are all part of the same race

Under our skin, we all have the same face

All wars are fought in vain

Causing unnecessary, stress and pain

Because we are all linked to the same DNA chain

In our Rainbow, colors blend with ease

Sometimes overlapping, to merge, test and tease

The end result is pleasing to the eye

Swelling our souls, to touch the sky

Our offspring are now different and new

Shining in the sun, like drops of dew

Protected by our Rainbow, free from fear

Their future, bright and clear

Blessed are we by God’s Spirit up high

What we are, is pleasing to His eye

Colors mingling, effortlessly as one

Unique and wonderful, like a beautiful song

BON VOYAGE

I wish you well as you return to a country fair

Where you lived long ago without a care

I wish you well as you travel far

To a paradise, beckoning like a star

Promising to bring peace to your soul

Promising to set you free and make you whole

I hope that you find what you left back there

When your life was easy and without care

Be careful of the window in between

Hanging there like an unseen screen

Built by many years of pain

Erected by tears that fell like rain

Keeping this vision bright and light

In its glass box, a beautiful sight

What did you achieve in the years in between?

While you were dreaming about your dream

Once you relax to look back

You might find that the window has a crack

Things might not be as before

Paradise lost might not be the right door?

Happiness is within, not out there

Once you can grasp this

You can live anywhere without a care

MY GOLDFISH

I had two goldfish and then one died

It would not stay alive, no matter what I tried

I cleaned out the bowl, putting in water fresh

Trying to ease my goldfish’s distress

As nature makes all in a pair

I looked at my single goldfish in despair

Then I recalled seeing a nice pool

Where other goldfish swam, seemingly cool

In the shade, under a tree; moving around, very free

I took my one goldfish to the nice pool

Explaining to him that he was going to school

My heart was beating loudly; when I released him proudly

I stood back, holding my breath; filled with the fear of his death

He gulped in amazement; as if trying to make a statement

The other fish welcomed him home

But he was frozen, as if turned to stone

He was very small, and they were all big and tall

He turned to swim away, but they all begged him, please to stay

A lady fish put out her fin, and taught him how to swim

In a pond that seemed endless, proving that he was not friendless

At last he was not alone, because he had found a new home

Although he was very small, he suddenly felt very tall

Also he was in a school, finding that to be very cool

MY TWO FINCHES

I have two little birds that I keep in a cage

Seemingly happy in such little space

With a little mirror to see their face

Of unhappiness not a trace

They were designed to fly wild and free

To land on any building or tree

Although they were born in captivity

Sometimes I watch them jumping about

Chirping loudly as if trying to shout

Let me out! Let me out!

They make me feel bad, very guilty and sad

I look out of my window and what do I see?

The big blue sky, up very high

Should I let my little birds fly?

To taste the freedom of life

Together with all the strife

Slowly I open the gate

Then I look up, nearly too late!

I quickly slam it shut, with a loud thud!

As down comes an eagle fair

To collect its equal share

My little birds are chirping in despair!

Not because of the eagle do they cry

They are not frightened to die

They want to taste the freedom of life

Willing to chance a dash of strife

I look at them in despair

Don’t they know that I really care?

That I could not let them dare

I go out to buy them a toy

Trying to bring them some joy

But deep in my heart I know

The only happiness is to let them go

They are strong and I am weak

It’s not a toy they seek

I learn to be strong because it’s wrong

To keep two little birds in a cage

With only a little mirror to see their face