Two poems by Dennis Brutus in Caracas

[Sad news. Comrade Dennis Brutus died on December 26, 2009. Please visit Links'tribute to this great poet-revolutionary HERE.]

Below are two poems presented by veteran anti-apartheid and global social justice activist Dennis Brutus, in Venezuela for the eighth meeting of the Network of Intellectuals and Artists in Defence of Humanity and the World Forum for Alternatives, October 18, 2008.

Image removed.
Dennis Brutus

Poem immediately following the conference, in the Hotel Alba overlooking Caracas mountains, 5:50am on October 18, 2008.

Saffron dawn glimmers
beyond the mountain's blue bulk
my shoulder's reflection infringes
on the window's dim report
So let some impact from you my words echo resonance
lend impulse to the bright looming dawn
* * *

Poem delivered at the closing session.

There will come a time
There will come a time we believe
When the shape of the planet
and the divisions of the land
Will be less important;
We will be caught in a glow of friendship
a red star of hope
will illuminate our lives
A star of hope
A star of joy
A star of freedom

 

In thanks to President Hugo Chavez and the people of Venezuela,
Dennis Brutus
October 18, Caracas.