Di system really need fi purgeJamaica nuh mash up yet, but it deh pon di verge
Jus throw weh di guns or give dem up
Or di nation a-go end up self-destruct
Mi tyad fi hear and see di crime
Why we cyaan live good all the time?
We go a stage show, jump and dance togedda
So why when dat done we kill we one anedda
Not only unemployment a mash up di place
I think is mostly bad mind and bare face
Mi memba di days when mi neva 'fraid fi go Gran' Market
But now, mi haffi open up mi yeye a look out fi pick pocket
Is not every Jamaican do t'ings dat heinous
But mi jus wish dere was more Jamaicans mi coulda trus'
Why we cyaan jus' love and tek care of each otha
An' preserve di sweet lickle island of wood and wata.
- J.A. Lawrence
------
Map of life
At first glance it may look easy to handle
But try to look at it from different angles
Straight, main roads are easier, more desirable to read
But take notice of the little footpaths you might need.
It is important to have faith which is the key
This helps you through, almost worry free,
Go with confidence but keen observation,
Take note of opportunities but act with caution.
On reaching a great spot your journey's not complete
You may have to start over or get stronger feet
Don't stop at everything as you travel through
Not everything you see is intended for you
With patience, focus and dedication
You may ultimately reach your desired destination.
- J.A. Lawrence
-----
A mother's pain
Who are hurting our children?
Why are they making our mothers cry?
Clinging to their wombs for comfort,
Who will wipe their tears at night?
Oh, the mothers cry,
Never knowing they will outlive their children's time,
Oh, the fathers cry
Trying too late to make up for lost time.
The suffering continues,
The graves will soon outnumber the births,
For every nursery they will need to build,
They erect a tombstone.
Saying:
Here rests my child
Who died too soon
Long before his time
Pleading:
Stop hurting my child
I am not ready to say goodbye.
- Peta-Gaye Kumar
----No anger
Resting on my beach towel on a wooden lazy bench, under a makeshift tent, staring at the sea rolling gently out to meet the heavens,
I close my eyes, such a relaxing moment.
As the cool evening breeze pulls me deep into slumber,
I hear the faint screams of kids, splashing around enjoying the water.
I hear the roar of the sea crashing to the sand.
Gosh, this feels great, I'm pulled even deeper,
The smell of fresh sea breeze rushes into my nostrils,
Taking a deep breath, I fill my lungs before exhaling,
I feel so comfortable, so peaceful, so out of this world,
No anger, no hate, I don't want to go back,
I want to stay here, living behind closed eyelids.
Suddenly, I'm jolted from this lovely place, where Heaven's gate opened and I was walking the streets of gold,
Pulled back to reality by tiny missiles flying through the air, stinging my face and half-naked body,
Propelled from peace to anger, I spring to my feet ready to unleash,
Only to be calmed, by a beautiful little girl, with a plastic shovel.
- Richard. A. Palmer
------Where eagles soar
Spurred by ambition,
she does not rest on her laurels,
but looks towards azure skies, where eagles soar,
where history writes the names of victors.
She does not listen to the musical calls
of instant pleasures, and the sing-song voices,
wooing her to defer the dreams.
The road is dusty and long,
desecrated by omnipresent rubble.
And shadows often leap into the way.
But her lamp of faith burns with intense determination.
Spurred by ambition,
though the hours are burdensome,
she works and gazes towards azure skies.
And motherly care, tends her wings
and prepares to fly.
- Rohan Facey
------Act of betrayal
"The tongue can no man tame ... it's swifter
than a record-breaking athlete. It's a fire that romps
wildly across a dry field ..."
The sabbath message rang with veracity in my ears.
I am the newest topic for watchful eyes and moving lips.
Like an ill wind, they tossed my confidentiality
to the headlines, happy to see me swim in slander.
High places are not safe, neither is confidence.
- Rohan Facey
----Vampire's bride
I danced with a vampire,
I know it is everyone's fear and was mine too,
But this vampire seemed different
with his curly hair and sassy moves.
He swirled me and the world dazzled like disco lights
and when I felt dizzy, I rested my head on his shoulder.
Was I in luck or what?
To be blessed, to be the only one to dance with a vampire.
I swear he will never bite. Yes, this vampire has bitten you all, and look at you all dead and lost in the underworld forever!
I smile to myself as he uses his magic to change my outfit
into the most beautiful white gown.
I am so special ... I have tamed a vampire
I told you all, I show you all
I am a vampire's bride, he has supernatural powers and he wants me alive
my life is so perfect this vampire sings in my ear
he holds me close and I adhere
to each step as I let his body lead me into a dreamland,
beyond anything I have ever felt or known.
Mom and Dad ... I am a vampire's bride
watch me dance!
watch me prove to the world that a vampire and a human can
live and dance as one.
I love this vampire. I think to myself.
What was with all this fear?
It held me back for so long
for so long I have wanted to dance with a vampire.
I danced with a vampire.
- Kerry-Ann Clarke
