A Crown of Sonnets

Giddy Nielsen-Sweep  January 2012


Author notes;

 No 1...  In this sonnet I’ve tried to establish the idea that where we’re born dictates our lifestyle, and have specifically identified South Sudan and the struggle of their oppressed people to maintain their Christian beliefs and lifestyle.

  No 2... Here I’ve set out the difficulties faced by the people, and their determination to stay as they are, despite many being killed in wars. (some around may weep.)

 No 3... identifies that even children were left to fend for themselves, (he’s just a boy,) is a reference to the lost boys of the Sudan.

No 4... I thought it prudent to include here some reference to the efforts around the world of people to achieve freedom. Hence the reference to  (freedom’s broken wall.) Throughout the Crown I have tried to encourage support for oppressed people.
I’ve emphasized the need of Sth.Sudan for charity. (wretchedness of humble hand) refers to taking handouts from charities. (...the vanquished... too hard to resist) is a reference to those who died in the famine and wars.

 No 5... This sonnet emphasizes the way that young boys are growing into men and are prepared to fight for their rights. I have used the pronoun ‘he’ or ‘him’ throughout, but it refers to the people as a whole.

  No 6... The people have had to fight but have achieved freedom. Declaring their independence, they have voted to become separate from the North, and are the independent country of South Sudan, able to worship as they please. Some of the young women are  training to become models.

 No 7... declares that it is up to each individual to make their home life happy wherever they are.  (daughters sleep in peace) refers to MFG(no easy reign)-- I suspect life won’t necessarily be peaceful in South Sudan, but for the moment the people are enjoying independence.



i. Fate Dictates

An accident of birth defeats acclaim
For fate dictates this life’s appointed home,
And silver spoon or tattered cloth’s the same
When destiny decides on where you roam,
Don’t judge a poor man by his state of dress
Or question why he acts the way he must,
The stone awaits for you to cast or bless
Start out by showing you’re someone to trust.

A tiny babe in helplessness displays
His innocence and purity so sweet,
In South Sudan that precious babe brings praise,
Though weakened cries depict his utmost feat,
Grant him that chance to grow with equal right
With passing years his stature can be great,
If giv’n the chance to bloom in any light
Should he be stirred, inspired to make life rate

If he is found to strive for rainbow’s end...
Remember, equal rights must not offend.



ii. Rights of Man


Remember, equal rights must not offend,
Give voice to those who’ve come to offer aid,
His accident of birth must he defend?
Each milestone reached, is triumph’s escapade,
Encouragement for him is scant, it’s slow,
Wrong birthplaces are hardships racist slur
The hill he climbs is twice as steep to know
Oppression then may seize his heart to stir.

Though steps at first are slow for brief reward,
The daunting task can offer no retreat,
 While unexpected progress used no sword
 Determination’s conquest tastes so sweet,
 He sees in dreams a warrior’s mighty coup,
 It gives him courage though his losses grow,
 When famine strikes, dependence grows on you,
 And if his family members die, tears flow.

 So from his lowly bed his visions keep
 That heart full strong, though some around may weep.


iii. Lost Boys

That heart full strong, though some around may weep,
Guides he who trudges on, he’s just a boy
With steadfast aim, against all odds to win
Outwitting those who parry and employ
A harsher tool to mould him to their whim.
Though child grows older, not just old in years,
His life will one day see an end in sight,
The land he sees ahead will hold no tears
Past lessons will sustain his growing might.

I know one day that boy will teach our whole
Wide world to work as one, work for goodwill,
Exhibiting a far off splendid goal
There’ll be no need for force or threat to kill,
For every heart that dwells between the ribs
Depends on where his spirit finds the cause,
From that first trembling breath in swaddled cribs
To adulthood through crudest bramble doors.

And when he sees his world is standing tall
He’ll grateful be for freedom’s broken wall.


iv. Harsh Nature

He’ll grateful be for freedom’s broken wall
Yet bearing floods and droughts, in sorrow mourns,
His weeping for lost souls makes heavy pall,
Yet there is hope, he knows, in many dawns,
The aim must always be to carry on
Despite a wretchedness of humble hand,
When loneliness is heavy load upon
His  head, he prays to God to save his land.

He needs no introduction to your sight
His birth is proof his needs are to exist,
The vanquished cowering under blinding light
Have found the struggle too hard to resist,
But there will always be the one who lasts
And finds the grace allowed for such as he,
Though left exposed to natures harshest fasts
He knows no other way that he should be.

God help those struggling on to find acclaim
Guide he who trudges on with steadfast aim.


v. Unfailing

Guide he who trudges on with steadfast aim
Against all odds let courage gain a win,
Protect this brave young soul in his god’s name
And guard him from his would be captors’ whim.
Though youth grows older far beyond his years
His life will one day see an end in sight
His land that waits ahead will hold no tears,
Past lessons will sustain his growing might.

The boy grown into man has crossed his land
Discov'ring what is meant by strong faith's goal,
He progressed holding fast to his god's hand
And slept beside a fire of smould'ring coal
His beating heart discerns not friend nor foe
Until he reaches liberty's new door
He's still a helpless child seeking to grow
To be that adult free from chains of war.

Rise up! Rise up! He hears the call is nigh
Fast bounds he to the fray with flags held high.


vi. Belief

Fast bounds he to the fray with flags held high
Resisting scorching breath of devil’s wrath,
The cards that he was dealt as dawn drew nigh
Were dealt on tribes of men in pauper’s cloth,
But still in trust the children, patient, wait
Adoring of their leaders, growing dim,
No questions asked about deserving fate,
Faith helps to recognize a spirit’s win.

They’re sure their life’s renewed from ashes’ dust,
Survivors gather to press on, regrow,
Å time of freedom glows within their trust,
When voting for the change they want to know,
Hold out your hand, hold courage out as gift
To those who need your strength give them your heart,
These handsome people don’t deserve to drift
Or have their families wrecked and torn apart.

Please care enough to show a smiling face
To people from this harsh dry desert place.


vii. Victory

To people from this harsh dry desert place:
Your life is yours to live as is your due,
Belief is strong now fervour’s freed that space
And you are seeing vict’ry’s verdant view,
You’ve taken all the hardships as life’s test,
And watched your leaders sacrifice and kneel
Then stood up straight and tall at God’s behest
Because you longed for freedom’s friendly feel.

So  people: where you live make happy home
And proudly bear the sense of who you are,
For Shangri-La reclines beyond the foam,
Beyond the rainbow’s end of golden bar.
Now South Sudan has reached that freedom goal
The boys and men who fought keep walking tall
And worship true to heart and true to soul,
Their daughters sleep in peace no fear at all.

While independence bears no easy reign
An accident of birth defeats acclaim.