A Tribute to Tübingen - ATTEMPTO!

A literary contribution by Magdalene Moonsamy, University of Durban Westville

Watching the fragments of rainfall plunging
into
puddles
and magnifying into inconsistent spheres,

listening to it fall at supersonic velocity, soaking the street,
flora,
greeting the Neckarbrücke with an ovation of rhythm and dance
the excitement dwindles.

The curtains open for humbling subjects to falling heavenly bodies
flakes of snow fall delicately with proceeding grace …
kissing the earth, leaving no space
untouched
and every thing, inorganic or not,
mesmerised in awe of its presence.

We arrived ASTONISHED by the purity of a town, fairy-tale
in character and received
with infinite, overflowing, unmatched bosom zeal.

Our dwelling places accommodated our needs,
the maiden encounter embossed indeed.
The days ahead proved abounding with multitudes of
generosity, free spirits and five star hospitality
and learning soon becoming a way of appreciating life
in totality.

I cannot overemphasize the commitment to society
and the pure unpressured moral obligations of the people
of Tübingen

I cannot demystify even to my optimal potential
the sense, the feel, the absolute blissful reality
of safety
which, without doubt or inhibition I have immensely
benefited

Connecting with all aspects of life,
from primary growing plantations
CHT Beitlich
horse-riders
walks of rejuvenation
Mercedes-Benz, DaimlerChrysler’s proud technology
Hewlett Packard’s engineering
and yet still retaining a rich heritage of
princes, philosophers, poets and musicians
INCOMPREHENSIBLE

I envy the people of Tübingen,
their defiant spirits that refuse to allow the misfortunes
of the past to incapacitate progress.

Their courage to pay homage of their culture,
strive towards UTOPIA and
to establish fundamental social responsibility as the core
of all its endeavours.

To consider that the environment behaves reciprocally
To its inhibitors
To politicise religion, the environment and education in
constructive dissection
To voluntarily pay for a bus ticket that is never asked of
To leave behind on the very spot on which it was dropped,
a GLOVE.

A discipline of systematic organization …
genuinely appreciated.

What does it take to make rules appealing and inspiring???

I want to take back to South Africa
the spirit of the people of Tübingen,
the collective true UBUNTU spirit
that whispers its humble adherence.

I want to find fields of green and white in Central Durban,
I want to know that there will coma a stage when 5%
unemployment rate is a disaster,
when education is a right not a privilege!
When the street on which I grew up is safe enough for my
children too,
I want to take back the resounding notion that reconciliation,
Social progress and poverty is not something that can
Only be alleviated in time …
BUT NOW !!!

I will take back adherence to the adage “ATTEMPTO”
I will take back the power to risk it, rather than wait.
I will take back the no-nonsense not negotiable desire
to achieve moral balance.

And then the sun in all its glory announced its arrival
(a few times actually),
and when it did …
the town of Tübingen emerged once again
to witness and
adore
the elements of the creator.

I’m still too amazed to smile
too dumbstruck to believe
but too inspired not to leave behind the spirit of
ATTEMPTO!