Die Mauer

Even in long retrospect,
It still seems a little bit
Of a miracle, that year.

To watch Nelson Mandela
Walk from prison, a free man,
An actual, real person

Who had seemed almost a myth,
Or to see crowds swarm the wall
And begin to tear it down,

It did give hope. To be sure,
Hope underestimated
The difficulties ahead,

But hope has to be like that.
Otherwise, there is no hope.