PAIN
"Overnight, pardner, a corbeau drop one
on yuh boy brand new (dhal colour) cruise;
and now watch him driving to work,
no time to stop and car wash;
at the traffic light, in the three lane crawl
is work that drop working on the car paint."
"I know the feeling. That does hurt, boy."
GRATITUDE
"When de Minista find them a big work
they so excited, 1st paycheck they bring
a mango fo' he."
"That could cause problems fo' de Minista."
"Nah, once the mango below 2000 yuh clear."
Over 2000 you might have something to declare."
HARDSHIP
"Is why you walking so slow? like
you in turtle speed."
"Is tired I tired, hear nah:
last week was pain no gain at the airport. Mon.
I had three wheelchair. Tue.
I had four wheelchair. Wed.
I had five wheelchair. I had
was to call in sick the next day.
Is strain & drain pushing dem old people, boy."
GONE ARE THE DAYS
Sign on the front gate: Beware Of The Dog.
Fella in yuh yard, he bust through the back fence,
he looking plum & mango – "And I talk to him
about it" – gone are the days.
Your pit (maul pampered, not Johnson & Johnson) ketch
him red rump like agouti, you proud of the moment.
Medic pronounce him blood lost on arrival,
fellas in white overalls cart him away.
Yuh pit name Caesar, all who jump the fence
must render unto Caesar – gone are the days.
Is eyepassing, right? what he doing in yuh yard?
the laws of the tall grass; is sad, one less.
Some dogs dangerous, some fellas gone baddest;
temperament shots some dogs and fellas need.
Hosing down the scene, still proud of the moment?
for plum and mango? – gone are the days.
Wave something and goodbye - ripped souls beg comprehension,
old wounds refresh unseen; easy to bed time night lime,
pretend your hands wash clean. Oi, down the road I
gone, boy; that bass and steel drum play mean.
-W.W.
FARJOURNEY CARIBBEAN 