Redeeming Scratch

Last week at this time, during Easter holidays, I was on my way to Negril for the entire weekend and I had it all planned out. A friend of mine, my boyfriend and I, were all going down for the weekend and it was supposed to be fun. I had all the activities planned out, […]

Jamaica Is…Part 2

Jamaica is “Xaymaca, land of wood and water.”Jamaica is “Reggae, Ska, Soca, RockSteady, Mento, Kumina.”Jamaica is “Blue Mountain Coffee and Sorrel.”Jamaica is “Rum and Red Stripe.”Jamaica is “Kola Champagne, Makaback Soup, Manish Water.”Jamaica is “Rasta, Pocco, Jonkonnu, Iyah, Nyah.”Jamaica is “Jerk Pork, Scotch Bonnet, Hardough Bread”, Food.”Jamaica is “FryFish & Bammy, Coco Bread & Patty, […]

This Girl’s Life

It’s 1951. I am 10 years old. I’ve been told that I look 15. I have big breasts but no ‘hair’. Whenever I get called to by the men in my village, I feel like dropping my baggy or just lifting my dress (because I only have 4 baggies and there are 7 days in […]

Bad News,Good News

It’s Friday noon past. The sun feels hot. It feels hotter as the afternoon slowly comes to free us from toil to get serious about lyming. Yes! Lyming with friends for beer, rum, Hammond, stupid and serious talk, jamming, soca, calypso and pure gossip. To sit and look at soft hard women. Big women looking […]

My First Airplane Ride

My first ride on an airplane was an experience that I shall not soon forget! It was early afternoon of April 17, 1979, and several of my friends and relatives who had accompanied me to the Norman Manley Airport were gathered around to say goodbye and wish me a safe trip. As I looked into […]

The Subway Ride

Up until five minutes ago, this had been like any other evening after work. She was riding on the subway, on her long and usually quite uneventful ride that took her from the office to a block away from her apartment building. But now, this evening had already become one that would stand out for […]

The Anniversary Party

I walk around the corner and push open the door of Wildrose Manor’s recreation/social room. Its small TV is mounted on one side of the long, rectangular space; two rows of overstuffed chairs face its dark screen. On the other side of the room, several card tables flank the ‘entertainment center‘ and bookshelves line the […]

Stolen Dreams

I have always lived in the country. For as long as I can remember – as long as the sky was blue, the grass was green, the beaches were welcoming and the air was nice and warm – I have lived in the country. I was born here and grew up here. I went to […]

Tief

They slowly stalked their victim, “Flat Top” was the first to spot the large bulge in the elderly gentleman’s pocket, he nudged his companion, “Dutty Baggy” was busy looking across the street at the busty big bottomed girl, he had called her something rude, but she had merely given him a look of disdain, and […]

Anthony Goes Abroad

“Want ie want ie cyaa get ie, get ie get ie nuh want ie”, Mama always used to say. But I REALLY wanted a bicycle, a big red shiny one. Like I saw in the shop in Mobay. With a bell. If I had that, I would be the happiest boy in the world. And […]