Reminder (Poem)

I wish not to change you
I wish not to change your mind
I wish not to make you wonder but to remind you
I wish only to…

To remind you of the many lives lost
To remind you of the sacrifice on the streets of Soweto
To remind you of the pain parents were left and still living with
To remind you of what happened on 16 June 1976
To remind you that it was all for education

So you could learn and be given the best education
So you could be a better citizen who can impact the world
So you could understand your civil duty
So you develop through education
So you could one day lead our nation

Allow me to remind you that:
Thoughtless festivities on June 16 is not what they lost their loves
Allow me to remind you that spending June 16 with friends is not what they lost their lives for
Allow me to remind you that idling time away on June 16 is what they lost their lives for
Allow me to remind you that all they wished for was the right to be the best you can be

All they wanted was to have you impact the world
Inspiring those after you
Sharing your educational path with those after you
Giving hope to those who have lost hope in education
Birthing belief in education where it once didn’t exist

Reminder of June 16 1976