Belizean Blend

BELIZEAN BLEND In the beginning it was the Yucatec, the Mopan and Kekchi as well Who came from the steppes of Asia where nomads dwell They fished and farmed milpas, in paradise; away from hell Some building great civilizations that, for many reasons, eventually fell Then came the Spaniards whose ambivalence; mixed feelings Caused them to waver in subsequent dealings Killed some natives, driven off by others In the end did not settle; wasn’t worth the bother Displaced by the British, rowdy pirates turn woodcutters Who made laws and build infrastructure down to the gutters Cut logwood, then mahogany for powerful and wealthy folks Then, to satisfy greed, sought others to enslave in yokes Africans from Jamaica and Bermuda transshipped Then as chattel they were frequently whipped Stolen from Africa, becoming the major labor force Dehumanized and tortured for centuries without remorse Mestizos fleeing oppressors in the Yucatan The War of Castes brought them from beyond Working as chicleros and cane cutters As a way of providing ‘ bread and butter’ Garinagu deported from St. Vincent as a form of punishment Many dying in their odyssey , their massive predicament Survive , resiliently, on the rebound A proud people, with culture and learning very sound Mennonites coming to enjoy religious freedom and peace Avoiding persecution for a life of ease Providing furniture, low cost poultry and eggs Reducing the cadre of many that beg From India and China they were duped and brought As indentured servants who were hastily sought Later as merchants and shopkeepers they came Voluntarily this time, which is not nearly the same Backpackers and excursionists everywhere In a world where they’re free to choose elsewhere Not part of the earlier diaspora But manifestations of a new plethora