Caribe

And so you climb off your cruise ship To stare at the Caribbean natives Who all have the same emotions and desires, As you in your newly bought cruise wear. I've spent my whole life here With my wife and my children who Now are presenting me milk-chocolate grand babies As we blend with the visitors who came and stayed. My food and my medicine Are both from the land, No need for pharmacies With a practitioner on site. You look and see poverty but I feel life In my modest house on stilts; The children do beg, but not for me, They desire a piece of the visitor. The Spaniards came centuries ago To convert, build homes and steal, Oh, yes, they brought the Catholic religion And their diseases that finished destroying us. We had a civilization gentle and kind, But we took a step backward When the white barbarians crossed the sea Pillaging, looting like the thieves they were. Our music and dancing bring comfort and We greet you at pier with our rhythms; We ask a pittance for our performance As you make your ways to the shops.