Working for Mr Brown

Two years I stuck around

Working for Mr. Brown

Waiting to be crowned

But nothing came around

No zinc fences in my town

Where he thought I should be found

Reverse discrimination

Of a black girl from uptown

I'm from the 'Intellectual Ghetto'

So he stifled up my voice

The movers dance at Kingston 10

Black girls don't have a choice

Her yard strewn with zinc fences

My yard, free of noise

All the crowns

And all the riches

To 'this', his darker choice

Salvos drip from the bloodstream

Liberties unfold

Still pursuing happiness

Still can't reach the goal

Slaving for contention

Praying to keep my cool

Doing all the work

Yet taken for a fool

Getting my degree

Not breaking all the rules

Only to be usurped

By youth, barely out high school

Constantly upbraided

While I'm slaving like a fool

Setting the foundation

For someone to eat my food

Today I've decided

I'm leaving Mr. Brown

Away from the contention

And pain that hung around

I want appreciation

And monetary crowns

And pray I'll never, ever

Meet another boss

Like ...

Ungrateful Mr Brown.

- Lisa Taylor

__________________________

Give me something new

Surprise me

Love me even more

More than you've ever loved before

Touch me

Don't just squeeze my breasts

Emotionally clasp my soul; ease me of all this stress

Look at me

Without sex in your eyes

I have more to offer, than what's between my thighs

Embrace me

Never let me go

Sew our hearts together and let our love grow

Protect me

I'm your most precious piece

Hide me from the pain I feel whenever you look at me

Give me something new

Give me all of you

Don't stray from this love

Or I'll stop loving you.

- Taneece Treasure

___________________________

I'd love to ...

I would love to walk the beach hand in hand

Smiling, walking down the beach of sand,

Sitting in each other's embrace watching the setting of the sun

Staring into each other's eyes, kissing , laughing, having fun.

I'd love to run in the rain with you by my side

I wish we had a good relationship and didn't often fuss or fight,

I'd love to relax and have a drink with you

I'd love to one day cherish the things we do.

I'd really like to know how it feels to be pampered and loved

I wish I felt special like your angel sent from above

That feeling of romance is long since missing

Our relationship feels old, frustrating and boring.

I'd want to cuddle and watch a romantic show

Eat popcorn, sip sodas, you know, go with the flow

I'd want to just jump in the car and drive to anywhere

Be adventurous, carefree and have no fear.

I'd want to be shown off to the world

Feel proud, hold my head high because I'm your girl

I wish you'd praise me and make me feel beautiful

That you'd be appreciative, respectful and grateful.

I wish we could make love and feel complete

And erase that empty feeling, the lack of passion, have something concrete

I'd love to feel secure and have a sense of belonging

I'd love you to love me, love me ... and stop longing.

I wish you wouldn't use curse words at me

When you do, I feel hurt, feel like trash, feel cheap

I'd love to one day muster the strength to look at you and say

Thank you baby for being my biggest mistake.

- Valissa C. Guiness

_________________________

A strong, courageous woman

She walks along with a stately gait

Courageously hiding her pain

With a cheery smile on her pleasant face

Hello! How are you today?

She goes about her daily task

Her head held high with pride

No one knows the ache she feels

She keeps it locked inside.

Her joy is an inspiration

To whomever crosses her path

Yet she will offer stern advice

Whether it is requested or not.

She is compassionate, caring and kind

Ready to give a helping hand

We could do well to emulate

This strong, courageous woman.

- Remelda A. Thomas
_____________________________

Thoughts of Christmas

(Jamaican style)

Chrismus jus' roun' di cawna

An no money inna mi packet

Nutten naw gwaan awn ya'

Cyan get mi pawdna draw

Fi buy di tings dem dat I saw

Mi waan look trash an' ready

But di money naa come steady

Mi all did waan go a Chrismus concert

Me , Joy, Edna, Roy and Bert

An' go a Church Chrismus mawnin'

Fi wear mi new frack an' earring

Tings fi buy fi di pickney dem.

No sorrel, not even di stem

Mi waan fi bake a lickle cake

An' drink lickle rum fi keep me awake

Two lickle chicken an piece a beef

Lawd Gad it look like mi ago tief!

Mi affi eat mi green gungo rice an' peas

Buy a lickle ham an' macaroni an' cheese

Den di curtain dem haffi change

An' certain tings inna di house haffi rearrange

Di house all waan lickle paint

Mercy! Mi feel like me a go faint!

Weh mi a go get di money fi do all dem tings ya

When Chrismus jus' roun' di cawna?

- Mebs Picasso