To Nelson Mandela

Impossibly wide for haiku,

he can't be narrowed to a fixed image,

immortally old as pagodas*,

handsomEly proud gentleness,

oh, invincible father Madiba!

 

On the shore of yin and yang,

becoming much holier than the river Ganges,

you've carefully inscribed a subtle line,

skillfully stretching the black and white lace.

 

Shamanic master Nelson,

you, who patiently connected Southern eons,

your hands are, oh venerable Mandela,

the bridge between African favelas.

 

Humble father Madiba,

for all of you " spasiba**.

Selman Repišti

 ___________

* pagodas " Hindu temples

** spasiba " Russian word for ''thank you''