Poetry 1

POEM OF THE WEEK

Ghetto cycle

We slow walk

the tightrope of silence,

between death

and

muted pain

coldly,

evading hope

between walls of garrison

between the rain drops of

blood

leaking 'round -

we see without seeing

hear without hearing

for dead men tell no

tales

we come with muted grief,

avoiding speech,

words,

tiptoeing between

huge walls of hurt

while

the violence rains-

We hold our breath,

lest one more

death

- Homer Sylvester

Love's long chase (For Nadine)

If those lovely lips shall bring my doom

Let it be so, for I would risk the pain

My ears, to hear them speak my name

In secret tones, of untamed love to groom

Reckless heart for waiting tomb

Oh delicate, rare, Nubian flower, I strain

To fathom the way desire's flame

Gobbles me whole, only to bloom

Fresh longing to clasp you still

But alas my fleet-footed nymph you flee

From my fire, hidden in the dark rich earth

For our love is forbidden to be until

Reason long fails and passion set you free

Only then will you see, our gift for what it's worth

- John Donn

Dumb Thing Mr Bunting!

What were you thinking Mr Bunting?

Did you lick your head or something?

Could you not have been mute?

Now some threatening lawsuit

That interview ... really a dumb thing!

- Lim Erick

Talk Up Di Tings Dem

Some people mout did de pon mute

When Peter did 'talk up di trute'

Now dem have nuff to say

Waan chastise JFJ

Chue dem 'talk up di tings' bout di yute.

- Lim Erick

Therapy

I listened

I thought

I cried

I answered each question before my ego could intervene

Before a thought could influence how I truly felt

Speaking freely

Without fear

Without feeling judged

Emptying my heart

So I could save my soul

Heal

Then my hour ended.

- DSD