Feb. 11 — Thomas Edison born, 1847. Nelson Mandela freed, 1990.

Imagination,
Inspiration incarnate
Magic, in the flesh

27 years
No chains could break his spirit
Nelson Mandela

Poverty, deafness,
Rules — no match for his genius
Thomas Edison

And some from back in October, the anniversary of one of Edison’s many inventions.

Thomas Edison
In 1879
A light bulb came on

Electric moment
Banished darkness forever
With incandescence

Edison, who said,
“There are no rules here,” made light
Of his glowing feat

Before his light bulb
What popped up over folks’ heads
When ideas came?

More efficient lights
Taking their place — Edison
Would want it that way