Penpal

When me did lickle a country, yuh see, me use to love write, yuh know. Everyting me ketch me write pon it, paper, wall, door, tree, dirt. Mama use to say: “What is wrong wid dis pickney doah, eeh? Yuh is a teacha?” Chile, ah write some love-poem, yuh see (but me couldn’t mek mama […]

"A Poem to Jamaica"

My mind is always in Jamaicait’s where my heart wants to be. For Jamaica holds a special placejust waiting there for me. There’s a sense of freedomthat I just can’t explain. I feel it when my mind is trueand she won’t leave my brain. It has to do with island lifeand the beautiful turquoise sea. […]

My Father’s Homeland

I yearn to visit my father’s homeland. (Kingston)to have the people, family, bloodwelcoming me with friendly, loving, caring hugs and hands.To feel the windblowing gently against my skin.For the very first time.And get with the heart of the Jamaican rhyme.To feel the strong cool windgo through my hair.Not even thinking about any of my cares.As […]

The Wake

Mi go ah Miss Purlene wake laas nite,Who tell mi fe lef mi yaadCause pere war an cass, cass bruk outAn Purlene duppy bax maas George Everyting start out bountiful an irieDe mannish wata wuz tekkin lifeMaas Matty long neck, cross yeyed bwayWuz choppin jerk chikin wid im butcha knife Purlene sista Dassa, wuz tuning […]

Send me Back to Jamaica

Just send me back to Dunn’s river fallswhere the suns boils its raging blunderocean of blue lay open with its nakednesswillingly beckons my advantage-of moisturious sweet passionand trees of virgin green, adorncascading water falls. With no hurryI will stride in slow motion Send me back to Magnificent mountain of blue;where coffee beans blood red drips […]

I Grew Up Poor And I Am Not A Shame

I grew up poor,-bare feet, hole in my school uniform poorcallaloo and yellow yam fa’ dinner poorTin mackerel and white rice poorSore foot hopping to school poor God! I am proud of it, it makes me strongself motivator, fighter, go getter… strongand a no nonsense winner Yes world! I grew up poorRoast breadfruit and butter […]

Displaced

The daring flight for a better life, to a land unknown, except for rumours of betterment “milk’ and “honey” , where dreams are possible. No one said anything about the loneliness, or the deep depression that envelops your very soul. The underground tunnel you’ll suffocate in, indefinitely. Cultural shocks that send chills through your being, […]

Streets of Dreams, (to Jamaica west Indies, My first love)

Clear blue skies, reflects this holy dayBreeze is blowing trees begin to swayFlowers are blooming, things begin to blossomChildren holding hold their mothers on their bosom.Butterflies are flying bees begin their buzzingAll the animals on the Isle start to do their fussing.Ripe mango scents linger in the airMaking us wonder if the smell was very […]

An Angry Hungry Man

Hear them screaming, crying, begging for righteousnessHear the angry wails of the mothers, who stand over their sons’ dead bodyHear the heartbeat of the father looking at his teenage pregnant daughterSee the red and blue of the sirens pass through the town,Parading down the dirt filled roadSee the little boys begging to wipe your windscreenEven […]

Vacant page

The emptiness like parasites eating at my being, as I glide through the dark grey slush beneath my feet. Trees naked and erect, reaching mercifully towards the heavens. The yearning for oceans of blue , smoky hill-tops, engulf the body that’s no longer mine. Today I’m nothing but a ghost, a lost soul among the […]