The Arawak Indians

The Arawaks came to the island
of wood and water, to live, divide
and conquer,making the caribbean
paradise their home,
bringing all sorts of flavors,
and ethnic origins, giving Xamayca
its reputation of having a "mish-mosh"
of everything, "Out of Many One People"
became our motto, with coat of arms
embracing our fellow brothers and sisters,
eventually the little island grew creating
curiousity by the world's A-Listers,
The Arawaks left behind a stellar legacy
and a country that gets better each year,
like fine wine, dominating history.
 

Island Life

Island life begins with the children scurrying
to school in order to get an education, because despite
their beautiful surroundings, they
refuse to be complacent reveling in its beauty,
The children know their duty is to excel in life,
soaring to great heights,

Their parents scrimp and scringe, sacrificing
to give them nice things,
Many only have the dream of betterment some day,
Success seems so far away, yet, they get uplifted
by the market women peddling their wares,
toiling incessantly as if they have no cares,

One would never know they worry about their zinc roofs,
and the worn clay floors, and the tiny latches that holds
their doors, nevertheless, they trudge along ignoring the corns
that ache as they travel miles to bring smiles to peoples'
faces, receiving occasional accolades from the exasperated
travelers on the lonely, country roads,

The natives can always feel rejuvenated by the simplicity of
Island Life, the cool breezes flowing through the coconut trees,
the pristine beaches peeking through
the vast, green grottos and alcoves, and the random goats cluttering
the pathways, forcing even the most absent minded resident to feel
blessed and highly favored for the natural moments that unfold.

A Collage of Memories

It all began with Romper Room,

Then, Louise Bennett and Mas Ranny

made folklore and tales very funny,

Anansi captivated our minds,

sending shivers up and down our spines,

Folks got older and graduated to "Where Its At",

where many learned to dance, and took fashion chances,

Oliver made simple, Jamaican folks abandon their decorum,

evoking laughs until they rolled with happy emotions on the floor,

While the explosion of reggae music brought international

fame to our doors, urging Jamaicans to explore,

A collage of third world memories always come to mind whenever celebrations

take us back in time.

Election Time

Election Time in Jamaica

conjures up fear,

because most Jamaicans

hold their Politics very dear,

refusing to waver

regarding their beliefs,

For some, Independent thinking

brings grief........

OH PLANTAIN TART

Oh planatain tart,

The sweetest staple in every

Jamaicans heart, you fava a patty,

but not quite as spicy,

Oh plantain tart, you make even the most

grizzly person as sweet as honey,

Every Sunday you weigh heavily on peoples' minds

and bellies,

Oh plantain tart, without you life would be boring

and surly.

"Run-Dung"

Have you ever wondered why they call mackerel

and banana "rung-dung" ?

Because the meal is just pieces of food sitting on a plate

and if you eat too much, you'll surely gain weight,

So why would anyone call a meal that name?

Except, after one taste, the Chefs would have no peace,

it brings about supply and demand, therefore, the cooks take off like

lightning grease, causing the fans to chase in hot pursuit,

begging, "More please, of that thing that isn't soup."

Coconut Park

The park of the young and infantile,

still occupies children and adults' minds,

where playing all day as if leisure was going

out of style, made living worthwhile,

The rides were mild mannered, yet brought

about joy, there was never any screaming

as if terror was about to deploy,

The gardens alone, were worth the trip,

and the roaming animals were bonus gifts,

Coconut Park was a solace for many haunted souls,

making them more brave and bold.

Independence Day

The whole year crescendoes to

Independence Day, a holiday where Jamaicans

can dance, laugh, enjoy merriment,

having fun their way,

The outfits and materials that commemorate

Jamaica's legacy, speaks volumes of Jamaicans'

"brought-upsy",

The warmth, and inviting spirit that looms,

makes even the most skeptical visitor feel as if

they belong, causing them to bloom, as citizens parade

paying tributes and singing their folklore songs,

When a country has spirit, heart and patriotism,

They can conquer anything that goes wrong!

Black, Green and Gold

We come from the land of Black, Green and Gold,

Some say we are strong, innovative and bold,

Yet, our talents as a people are beginning to unfold,

We are scholars, lawyers, doctors, business people, and ordinary folks,

harboring dreams, but most of all, we strive to be the best,

It doesn't matter if the rest of the world think we are THIRD,

In our minds, time has proven, that we have surpassed all of

life's tests, our vocabularies and imaginative thoughts prove that

ONE is the only word we think of associating with the Black, Green and Gold,
 
ONE country under God striving to be made prosperous and whole.

God Bless Jamaica!

God Bless Jamaica and all its Nationals,

Please let us be known for more than our

criminals, when people think of Jamaica,

ganga and drugs should never come to mind,

God Bless Jamaica and help its people to

be more pleasant, peaceful and kind,

Bring more opportunities of Industry her way,

help Jamaica to withstand tawdry political days,

God Bless Jamaica and maintain her beauty and

natural resources,

Protect Jamaica from slick, international forces.

God Bless Jamaica!

Happy 50th Anniversary to Jamaica and all its people, keep away vices and evil.

Tags: Jamaica's 50th Anniversary: A Medley of Poems