Poems

Beast

He is a monster

with horns and warts that protrude

from his crusty, hairy skin;

Anger oozes from his pores,

and horrid fiery images, project

from his crinkled deep set eyes;

I watch my every step,

balance the treble and bass

of every word that’s said

He threatens those who knows

that he’d walk with their heads;

His dungeon is painted with a twisted hue,

with appearances built on the jilted jaws of the untrue;

His hands deceive his heart and

his fears fuels and sets off an unpredicted gory spark;

From a Samaritan to a red dragon, leaping from out of the dark;

This is the beast that haunts the good,

to many, he does the deeds that he should;

But there is plenty that they are naive about;

The beast wears his ways on a mask that is two faced;

He will tear you down for being just and upright,

and those who are wicked and unclean in their ways,

he will lift them up and celebrate all that they are;

While the righteous – he throws them a bone from afar –

as if to cast out, what is just and good;

His presence is chained to the unthinkable;

He walks the land, he knows the crowd;

He steps with silence but his growl is loud,

He’ll tear your world apart,

He’ll rip you off the beaten path,

So dear friend, watch your tracks,

especially if your heart is good;

Wherever you live,

whether in the cliffs or in the woods,

the beast may be prowling the neighbourhood.

– Angela Yap Chung

Colonized Mango

I feel like a tortured, colonized mango

Why couldn’t I be a tamarind

Or a peas like guango?

Why couldn’t I have three pods

Like the ackee tree

Why couln’t a red cherry

Actually be me?

I feel whipped into slavery

To be a Bombay

And juice running down the face

Isn’t always gay

Those kids climbing up the tree

Always a pree me

Because I’m a Julie Mango

Not a Guava Tree

The Lady in the apron

Is selling me by the dozen

Sometimes I feel the orange

Is really my cousin

I feel shackled

And I want to be free

A tortured, colonized mango

Is actually me.

– Lisa Gaye Taylor

Christmas Sonnet

This is the time of year when we behold

Incomparable beauty all around

The story of Christmas being retold

Reminds us how love incarnate came down

The blessed light of love dispels darkness

Lifting the world from all sorrow and gloom

It ever shines with redeeming brightness

In every heart that for truth will make room

Our joy’s desire warms our hearts this season

For the promise of the ages is here

So, we celebrate for the real reason

And join heavenly hosts in songs of cheer

Oh, in this festive time of childlike mirth

Let peace and good will be to all on earth

– David McAdam

Letter to Hurricane Melissa

Melissa before you came you wanted us

to be afraid

But we prayed

Your face was looking fierce

With an ugly eye in your flat forehead

Contracting and expanding

Your nails were dangerous claws

You came to rip and destroy

Our Jamaican people you were trying to annoy

You were attired in a very wide and heavy skirt

Many miles long

Many miles wide

You showed us that you were the strongest of all those who visited

You continued to tease

Many minds were not at ease

Prayers we continue to release

You had swords in your iron chest

You had no heart

We do not forget your monstrous feet

You came to trample on our beautiful island

You were obstinate

You continue to zig zag here and there

In the dark sky many stare

You were saying beware

You became hungry

You roved your eyes

You saw our fruit basket

You ate it all

You then started to destroy

Clawing and chewing roofs

Rooting up trees

Throwing them to and fro

You travelled with the sea behind you

Flooding homes

Throwing mud everywhere

Inside and outside

Melissa you just did not care

You are the worst to come to our shores

Flying and kicking down fences

You scarred our beautiful island

Adiós Melissa

We were happy when you take your flight

We watched you decay

We are so elated you are now out of our sight

Bye

– Barbara Dixon