He was a son of Africa who became father to a nation and, for billions of people around the world, a beacon of hope, courage, and perseverance in the face of opposition. Now, acclaimed poet Maya Angelou honors the life and remarkable soul of Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa and Nobel laureate. In His Day is Done, Angelou delivers an authentically heartfelt and elegant tribute to Mandela, who stood as David to the mighty Goliath of Apartheid and who, after twenty-seven years of unjust imprisonment on the notorious Robben Island, emerged with “His stupendous heart intact / His gargantuan will / Hale and hearty” to lead his people into a new era. This poignant work of gratitude and remembrance offers condolences to the resilient people of South Africa on the loss of their beloved “Madiba” and celebrates a man like no other, whose life and work changed the world. Praise for His Day Is Done “Moving and heartfelt.”—The Washington Post “A powerful, gripping tribute.”—NewsOne “[His Day Is Done captures] how many were feeling.”—BBC News

マヤ・アンジェロウが綴る本作は、追悼詩の枠を超え、魂の不屈さを謳い上げる至高の人間賛歌です。彼女の筆致は、巨悪に立ち向かったネルソン・マンデラの歩みを神話的な重厚さで描き出します。二十七年もの投獄を経てなお、彼の心が損なわれることなく巨大な意志を保ち続けた事実は、読者の心に強烈な勇気の火を灯すでしょう。 アンジェロウ独自の流麗なリズムと慈愛に満ちた言葉は、マンデラを世界の希望の灯火として永遠に刻み込みます。そこにあるのは、憎しみを超越した和解の精神と、人間への深い信頼です。偉大な人生の終焉を「成し遂げた者の凱旋」として祝福するこの詩は、困難に立ち向かうすべての人に贈られた、不滅の道標となるに違いありません。