POEM OF THE WEEK - TUNDAH

• POEM OF THE WEEK - TUNDAH

When we witness di Bolt

Whole a we wondah

More time a great flash

Muss follow wi Tundah

Tundah roll in like wrath

When Jamaican a run

Victree a di path

Pon di crack a di gun

Dem 'ave different guide

Each endure tribulation

Yet dem nevah top 'tride

Fi di pride a dem nation

To reach to Beijing

Juss a part a dem goal

For each a dem bring

Dem 'art an' dem soul

Each a dem Daughtah

Muss one in a million

When dem burs' fram di block

All doubt did erase

Di ress a di world

Dem force fi give chase

When dem come pon a chain

An emerge fram di pack

Mi yeye dem a strain,

Rollin Calf at dem back?

When dem pass tru two chain

Sacrifice a kick in

So much 'ear dem a train

Pity jus' one mus' win

When tree chain dem reach

Strickly Black, Green an' Gold

Generation mus teach

Dat dem tale gwan unfold

When four chain did done

Dem done wi denial

When Jamaican a run

Dem cyan run single file

As dem come pon di finish

Tree spirit a soar

Muss entire planet

'Ear Jamaican a ROAR

Each a dem Daughtah

Mus one in a million

Yes

Each a dem Daughtah

Mus one in a million

Kerron an Sherone

A silvah dem tun

While likkle Shelly-Ann

A di golden one

When dem axe aftah 'im

We nuh surprise fi see

'Im run fi 'im country

An 'im joyful fi we

Man seh daughtah tek longah

Mus careful, nuh blink

Veronica strongah

Dan man an man tink

Mel a reach to di wiah

'Im pace set too bold

Jamaican on fiah,

Dem obsess' wi gold!

Recard nah frighten

Dem all smash asundah

Yes, if Bolt a di Lightnin

Ooman a Tundah

• For Jeffrey I. Miller, my love

I don't know what to say, don't know where to start

It's kinda weird how I feel all these things but it's such a challenge to get the words out of my heart.

Three years seems like decades, like we've been together forever,

But I can't see it that way 'cause that's nothing compared to the eternity I wanna spend with you.

I can't count how many times I've smiled the brightest smile in the world, just from the words that escape your lips,

Or laugh the loudest laugh from that sense of humor of yours and all the jokes that come with.

I'm amazed at who I've become with you,

This person that's so giddy headed, so emotionally open, giving you the full view.

I've never felt more beautiful in my life, never felt happier to be a part of this world,

Never knew what it would feel like to be treasured this much, and to be acknowledged as your girl.

You've got a way with me, got a way to make me believe that this love can last all our lives,

Got me thinking that decades from now I'm still the one you'll be calling wife.

My mind's been made up, and my heart agrees with it too,

My life will never be the same with anyone but you.

If I can't have your love, your kisses, your hugs, why bother?

Because it's clear to me that my heart is meant for you and no other.

Just the thought of how different things would be if we didn't meet makes me hyperventilate,

I always called it an accident, but now I've come to realise it was nothing short of fate.

You've never left my mind, every second of every minute, every minute of every day,

Always thinking about how to make you happy, and how to cope with missing you when you're away.

Late nights talking, about the simplest things we could think of,

School, kids, and the whole future we see ahead of us.

The first person I think of in the morning, the last before I go to sleep,

You're my obsession, yet one I am proud to keep.

Always having your back, being your support system when times were hard, and when they were good too.

It will always be my job, to devote my time to being there for you.

Now looking back, all I have are smiles and laughs that leave my mouth hurting,

Thinking about the first kiss, the first date, the first fights that I can't even remember having.

Through everything you've been my best friend, always there when I needed you,

At the end of each day, telling you all my joys and all my sorrows too.

Such a whirlwind this whole relationship has been, and I know there's so much more ahead,

But baby, I'm ready, for all that we want to happen, and the things that will happen instead.

I say it every day, and every day I mean it a little bit more.

I love you. So much. Forever. For always. For sure.

Happy three-year anniversary baby.

- Gabrielle

• 'URRICANE

Firs' come di Lightnin

Di Tundah a follow

Gahd grant deeze victree

Not one a dem hollow

Well firs come de lightnin

An den fallah Tundah

Wise Jamaican a wait

Weh di Stahm? dem a wondah

True di cloud dem a gaddah

Dis eah no time fi play

Di people dem raddah

Carry 'ome di relay

Wait, nuh leff di team

Becah 'ere come di Hie

Dis de Olympic Dream

Dem cyan be deny

Rain come quench we tirst

But di Sistren too fass!

Juss as lass mus be firs'

More time firs' mus be las'

Well when team tek di track

Asafa di anchah

Dem nah baddah look back

Dem nah trouble by rancah

Dem feeget bout Rogge

'Im affi dress back

Commin' like man ol'

Wahn im puss nap

Muss remembah, fee-evah,

Time cannot diminish

World nah see ee, no nevah

Dem cyan share 'photo finish'

Much a dem sank

An kiss muddah eart spritely

Each tek time fi tank

Dem Lahd Gahd Amighty

Nah check fi ee now

Nah wail no nah weep

Team Jamaica a vow

Soon fahward fi sweep

Now a yahd we a roam

Nuff medal we shelve

In our 'ome weh fran 'ome

We a tek ee a twelve

Now dis ting dem call progress

Dem say muss incremental

Jamaica nah check fid dat

As we carry back nuff medal

Jamaican ah upfull

Carry song a we 'eart

Jamaican ah 'opeful

Dat di whey we a start

Bad mahn an bad mahn

Axe wha Olympic dem teach

Why, di fahdah we strive

De fahdah we reach

So rejoice! 'Top complain

Peace muss rain down upon us

For dis a di 'Urricane

Tundah an Lightnin a promise

Mek dis lesson nah leff you

Shout out fran church steeple

Mek di world know fi true

Out of Many, One People!

- Steve Shaw

• Slippers Mother?

Shoes for Mother? ... Gentle Jesus meek and mild?

Versus school fees for child?

Mother continues in slippers in order to provide

Anything to keep dem on track

Glue, nail her own feet with tack

While Asafa, Blake, Bolt, Campbell, ABC's and others are a source of inspiration

Mother sends them out to school despite her own deprivation

Slippers? yes Mother on your feet to wear

A feat of care

The burden you bear

You worry, their future you fear

Yet in time no other your glory will share

Slippers? Yes Mother, but not as a spanking implement tool, skin to tear

Don't create wounds that none can never, ever repair!

- Helen-Ann Wilkinson

• She is 50

Let us marvel at the state of her beauty,

50 years and still going strong.

She attained liberation from her parents abroad

And now takes the world by storm.

She is 50 but has accomplished a lot during her time,

All eyes on her.

Her radiant smile, physical beauty

It's a miracle how she managed to stay in shape.

My mother, our mother and a daughter to the world.

Let us stand in her honor as we celebrate her birth,

Let us rise above the struggles we face as a

family and give praises.

She is 50 and standing so proud,

Jamaica land, her mark will always be around.

- Dujan Crossfield.

Are U Sane Bolt?

Are U Sane Bolt?

Gesticulating;

Lightening imagery;

The beating of the chest as the tape beckons

And the clock ticks.

It's incredible!

The world record is broken!

The competitors are left in a pack down the track.

The Bird's Nest abuzz

Shock waves resonated around the world.

Celebratory dance;

Lightening pose,

Bare feet and elated;

The world his stage.

A show man, a star

And drug free to boot!

Are U Sane Bolt?

- Grace G. McLean

• Express yourself!

Send your poems to editorial@gleanerjm.com. Not all poems will be published.