Lamp

Lamp Mustn’t you cry Or put your head down Rid yourself of it now Mustn’t it eat you alive A rotten soul never dies It’s presence is fresh in our minds The scars have healed But the words survived Sweep the dust Mustn’t you put the brush down ‘till its gone Mustn’t you linger in the dark Hold up the lamp and walk the mile A good eye Sees plentiful harvest Yam, Manioc and plantain Pretty grass skirts Beads and face paint A heated leaf Wrapped with spiderweb around the leg To protect against malaria A good nose smells dawn’s crisp, misty breath Shoots arms up, yawns and takes a breath A good ear , listens ‘till it’s done Embracing warmth A good mouth Helps prepare the day’s catch And shares the batch Rotten is the fruit The enemy shares with you Shall you know him His capabilities Let you not be fooled For you will be doomed Marckincia Jean Free verse 09/14/19