Conditions
When you walk here, walk carefully
Walk without show of pride or class
The eyes are watching you hawkfully
Crouched in invisible guinea grass
Smile as you go, this is friendly country
"No problem" is the other motto here
Where thick wool covers the hungry
Like pale soldiers pride cover up dispear
Watch where you put your feet, please
Keep on your shoes, it is not holy ground
The red lake is blood, we have no red seas
It may be thunder or a bullet's sound
Guns from armies dead in Iraq and Gaza
Our factories can only make ice cold beers
It is alright to dance, the love at the plaza
Is strange and real, there are other fears
Not grown here like banana or breadfruit
Imported from the continent knowingly
Keeping things in instability, a piper's flute
Edging the deep margins and cunningly
This is Jamaica, my island in the sun
Where deep colonial antiquities loll abroad
And sweet on beaches innocents run
Little children who call this place "yard."
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a
Premium Membership.
