New Year's Citizen

page fourteen of the Citizen, a picture

the size of my hand, two bright white smiles,

white hard hats against a white sky,

and shades of black. Talk show

queen oprah winfrey is in mid-remark,

announcing ten million dollars for a

leadership academy for girls in Johannesburg.

"We are looking for strong brave

girls,"she says, "with heart." The

planes of her face undulate like

grasslands. Her silk shirt lies open

to show the shadowed slope of

a feminine breast. Long time South

African prisoner now President, Nelson Mandala

Has his arm around her. His hair

Is grey and the lines on

his face are deep dry gullies.

"I believe girls are going to

take over the world," says Winfrey.

Mandala squeezes her shoulder. "Men have

Been in control long enough, but

Don't worry, we are prepared to share power."

O mother! O father! O Africa!

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