Johannesburg city of gold,
With rich promise of new life,
Value given to tales told,
That surpass views of ancient strife.
Rounding the continent at the south,
Of massive land Africa,
Where freedom emerges from the mouth,
That no person is an anathema.
So rich with mixed diverse souls,
Given status by equal birth,
And, value as yellow metal glows,
To smile with joy of earthly mirth.
The old mine town is come of age,
Building on a strong foundation,
As history turns another page,
With strong stories for her narration.
Francis Conlon is a retired and recovering teacher. For the past 20 years, he has worked as a seasonal river ranger and boat inspector at Yampa River State Park in northwest Colorado. He has published in the local Valley Voice and in Westward Quarterly. He currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.