Poetry (2)

POEM OF THE WEEK - Kotching in Atlanta

I didn't come to 'Merica to stay

I only came to learn and earn a little money

To go back home to build a house, buy a car and maybe a bar

But I now have seven grand pickney here

Who don't know the joys and have no interest in the place I call yard

I yearn for the Rock but the Rock won't have me

While I am kotching in Atlanta my heart is in Jamaica

I don't want to stay but I cannot go

See me daya between the sheets of the bed I made

With no idea where the grass is greener

I try to duplicate Jamaica in Atlanta but the patties are neither Tastee nor Juici

I play dominoes, drink rum punch and Red Stripe Beer

I can eat steamed fish, curry goat and rice but it's not Cooshu's

I can get fried fish, bammy and festival but it's not at Hellshire Beach

I scream for rum and raisin ice-cream but it's not from Devon House

I watch cricket matches but it's not at Sabina Park

I read the Atlanta Journal Constitution but it is not The Gleaner

I enjoy all the comforts of home but it's no home

I miss Mass Birtie, Mother Blake, Uncle Benji, Brother Boogs and Aunt Poochos

Greeting me with 'mawnin' and 'God bless you' when I share what I have with them

Sorrel and fruitcake in December only make me long for Father Christmas

I don't want a 'Merry Christmas' I want a 'Happy Christmas'

I can watch 200 stations on my TV but find nothing to watch

Instead of pumpkin beef soup on Saturday, I now eat hamburgers and beans

Mi belly full but mi hungry.

- Basil Waine Kong
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To mom, Marcia

I love you unconditionally

I know I misbehave and don't always listen

I don't take your advice or do all the chores

You sometimes think I don't show love towards you

If you only knew what love I have for you

You are my light and source of strength

Never forget that

No matter how old I get, I'll need to hear my mother say

She is proud of me

I'll need her advice, even though I may not take it

I'll need to hear her voice, even if I may not have enough

time to talk

I still need to know she loves me

No matter how upset she is

I still need to hear her honest opinion

Even though it might annoy me

I want to know about her experiences

Even if it takes years to learn from them

Or apply them to my own situations

No matter how busy I get, I'll need to hear her say

She thought of me today

No matter what's going on in my life

I will always need my mom.

- Shamoy Marstin(Knox College)

__________________

Untitled

You melt my heart like ice

never knew that you were not nice

now I know that I made the wrong choice

I trusted you but you proved that you are

sneaky like mice

I may forgive you but

never forget what you did

my heart feels like I have been shot by a gun.

- Kelvin Williams

________________

Back of the bus

Back of the bus

Like a black person

In history.

- Christianne Bhalai

_______________

Me

I'm black

and I'm beautiful

I'm stupid

yet I'm smart

I'm weak

yet I'm strong

I'm funny

but I'm serious

I'm talkative

yet I'm silent

I'm numb

yet I have feelings

I'm incredible

yet I'm boring

I'm spontaneous

yet I'm home bound

but to me

all that matters is

I'm me.

- Nicole Watson

_____________

Daddy

Daddy, you're gone

But not too soon

You did your time here on earth

For all that it was worth

You made people laugh

You made people happy

You were the life of the party

You gave your last dimes

Even at odd times

Again I say

Gone but not too soon

As you always said

We are 'from the womb to the tomb'.

- Sandies Thomas