Tata Madiba's Memorial Service

Mourners at Nelson Mandela's Memorial service. (Photo/Huffington Post)

Probably the strangest funeral I've ever seen.

Mourners' faces painted black, white, yellow, red and green;

Singing in their thousands as the rain poured down in sheets...

Many of them clapping hands and dancing on their seats.

They all booed their President; Obama got a cheer.

Had a fake interpreter for people who can't hear.

I thought Irish wakes were rowdy...  Little did I know.

People of South Africa just put on quite a show.

In Memoriam... Nelson Mandela

President Mandela of South Africa has died

And, although not unexpected, even so - I cried.

Started life a warrior; his nation's righteous spear.

Faced the gallows on Apartheid without trace of fear.

Sentenced him to Robben Island; said he'd serve for life.

After they imprisoned him they, then, harassed his wife.

Twenty-seven long and lonely years 'til his release

Yet, somehow, he managed to emerge a man of peace.

Spoke of Reconciliation as a way to heal;

Fought to make his vision of a Rainbow Nation real.

When he came to Boston - up and dancing on the stage -

Thanked us for divestment, I felt we had turned a page...

Put our ugly, racist past behind us; cleaned the slate.

It felt like Mandela's benediction of my state.

Many countries' flags will fly at half-staff when unfurled

For the father of his country...  Hero to the world.

Give Me Shelter

Listened to the news today and all of it was bad.

Don't know why I listen when it only makes me sad.

Killings in South Africa and Syria - Iraq.

In Afghanistan, another green on blue attack.

Helicopter crashes, fires, earthquakes, massive drought,

Hurricanes and global warming proven beyond doubt.

Israel may bomb Iran? On Cape Cod, Great White sharks.

Little brothers drowning at one of the nation's parks.

I can't find a sheltered harbor...  Nope, not even sports.

Red Sox team is melting down according to reports.

Poor old Bobby Valentine is taking loads of crap.

Can you just imagine this with Belichick? He'd snap.

I have got a sister who believes that Mayan thing...

She's concerned December 21st is gonna bring

Planets in alignment which precipitates The End...

After all this rotten news, I'm half convinced my friend.