In Memoriam: Dennis Brutus

I just learned that South African poet Dennis Brutus died last week, Saturday, December 26th. During his lifetime, Brutus made incredible contributions to the fight against apartheid, put his own freedom, health, and life at risk in doing so. The New York Times printed an article on Brutus here. NPR's program "Fresh Air" remembers the life and achievements of Brutus in this interview from 1986.

Here is one of Brutus's poem delivered while he was 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.

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