Welcome to Jamaica, Maan! Bounty by the Seas!
The land of sand and dreams neath swaying trees,
Where you'll be gently rubbed with warm fragrant oils,
And sip fruity umbrella drinks in the cool breeze!
Later, when the sun winks and blows a kiss from Mars,
Some more umbrella drinks and Green Cigars!
During what Jamaicans call...Magic Hour! Maan!
We'll dance and sing, between the sea and stars!
Oh yes, my friend! Here, the tunes will make you swoon!
Neath sunlight fair, open air, or crescent moon!
I'd like to say, if you've got time to get away, Maan,
Then, I hope we'll be seeing you today, Maan!
Categories:
jamaicans, adventure, vacation,
Form: Rhyme
When the Language Merge**
I walked into Bobby Department Store and yelled, “Where are the Jamaicans and Barbadians?” This might sound a little strange to most people; however, it’s that time of year when all the languages and dialects merge, accompanied by the authentic accents from their respective places. Plus, there's always a bit of rudeness as people wait in long lines. Yet, amidst it all, the joy of Christmas still shines through in their voices.
Christmas is that one time of year when you can be happy without needing a reason. I could hear conversations like, “I want to mail this barrel by next week, but I know they won’t get it before next year.” As an outsider eavesdropping on these conversations, I sometimes think, “What is this barrel they are talking about? A barrel of rum? A barrel of Jack Daniel’s? A barrel of monkeys? What barrel?”
Yes, Bubba! That barrel is filled with gifts and food for their families on the Island of Brim. All I’d like to add is that I’m reminded that while New Yorkers say “standing online,” the rest of the English-speaking world says “standing in line.” - Jeffrey Stein Garten.
Categories:
jamaicans, allusion, america, anxiety, appreciation,
Form: Dramatic Verse
No department of Education
No anti-corruption
No health care
No unemployment benefits
No social security benefits
When you’re old enough to retire
No help for people in needs, no welfare
No grants or loans for college students
No housing vouchers for elderly parents
No rules and regulations for the Stock Markets
No lawsuits against criminal cops
Due to immunity, they can kill anybody in the streets
And there’s more, more will fall in the craps
Many people will die sooner, before their time
Believe me that will be a sad crime
If you want an unfriendly and dishonest America
Vote for the fascist and friends of the SAGA
Otherwise, vote for the intelligent Woman
Who will never insult and disrespect Asians
Native Americans, Black Americans
Caucasians, Haitians, Jamaicans
Puerto Ricans, Europeans
Human beings, Africans
Latinos and poor White Americans.
Copyright © November 2024, Hébert Logerie, All rights reserved.
Hébert Logerie is the author of numerous collections of poetry.
Categories:
jamaicans, america, betrayal, black african
Form: Rhyme
Take me back in time so I can remember it all,
When as a great nation we bravely stood tall.
We fought with all our might to gain independence,
And did so with pride and much resilience.
The fighting spirit of Nanny must be kept alive,
And the boldness of our heroes will help us survive.
As we rise up as a great nation,
To reminiscence about the past at sixty-one.
No obstacle will be too great or small,
That as Jamaicans we cannot overcome them all.
Categories:
jamaicans, culture, feelings, independence day,
Form: Rhyme
There is no place like home
I represent the black, green and gold.
Out of many, we are one people, driven to succeed
Global excellence is our only mission to achieve.
Reggae and dancehall are the rhythm and beat in our feet
Only champions are born here
Marley, Louise Bennett and Bolt are all homegrown.
With blood, sweat and tears, we work hard for our own …this is the Jamaican way.
I come from a great nation, with people of strength and determination. I am proud to call myself Jamaican.
We move to one love and drink our Jamaican white rum …this is the land we love.
The aroma of blue mountain coffee mixed in the morning air, the taste of ackee and saltfish with a little roast breadfruit are heavenly delights only a Jamaican can understand, the national dish of our homeland.
Look at our smiles we celebrate 60 years in grand style.
No matter where we are, yard or abroad with heads held high we are proud to call ourselves Jamaicans.
We celebrate Jamaica's 60 years of independence by re-igniting our greatness within all who call themselves Jamaicans.
"I am Jamaican"
Categories:
jamaicans, celebration, hero, hope, journey,
Form: Free verse
I learned that a Brit will take offense if mistaken for an Australian,
and that Puerto Ricans take offense if mistaken for Mexican.
Canadians take offense if mistaken for American,
and Jamaicans take offense if mistaken for African.
Understandably, the great apes take offense when mistaken for human .
Categories:
jamaicans, people,
Form: Rhyme
Jamaica gets a visitor, who is he?
Barrack Obama, we longed to see,
Just the mention of his name,
We feel surrounded with his fame,
When Air Force 1 hit the ground,
Zero silence, could be found,
Deaf ears opened, Blindness, now sight,
Programming Mr. President to alight,
There he was, the epitome, a true gentleman,
Class, diplomacy, alacrity and wisdom,
The distinguished leader, for all generations,
Visible to those led with wisdom,
Traffic congestion, it was a must,
Jamaicans too ecstatic to make it a fuss,
His famous words, "Yes we can,"
Reminding us to stick to the plan,
"No obstacles too hard, for you to cross,
You can do it, if you choose to trust,
Trust in yourself, you must believe,
Thoughts in your mind, you will achieve,
Thoughts of willpower, determination and hope,
Paving the passage for you to cope,
Your miracle, like mine, an instant away"
"You can do what you tell yourself! What more can I say?"
"Yes we can"
"Yes we can".
Categories:
jamaicans, black african american,
Form: Rhyme
Jamaicans should know their country’s history
Imperialism, European Colonialism, Indentureship as well as African slavery
Centuries ago when our ancestors were trapped in misery
The days when our country was once ruled by the Spaniards
Natives of Spain
Dela Vega city, Sevilla la Nueva are few cities remembered in our brain
They tortured the peaceful Amerindians with hard labour and pain
We should always remember the days when our country was governed by the British colony
A country that trapped our ancestors in agony
Once ruled by the mother country England
White slave masters force their traditions, values and culture on our land
We fought for justice
We fought for freedom
We fought for the end of slavery
All of these were done through our national hero’s courage and bravery.
Demeter Edwards
Categories:
jamaicans, history,
Form: I do not know?
Jamaicans near and far, gather round and listen closely to the sounds of the Jamaican beat...
JAMAICA, pon di rise!
JAMAICA, on the RISE!
Yes, yes, man we on the go,
we raise the price of tin mackerel so high, the price has practically hit di roof.
Poor people a struggle but we still on the go
Self- Elevation, down with the slavery,
RED tape and any sign of white supremacy
but what about the black indoctrination?
What about the plights of mothers and fathers whose dreams are lost in a sea of
Frustration, Depression and Deprivation.
What is causing us as a people to be so callous, unforgiving, impulsive, irrational and down-right unbearable?
Is it our innate need to shine and out do each other?
The system, we are told it's the system, our predisposed nature,
the way we were raised, the way we were taught by our educational system.
The way we were instructed by our British masters.
So Jamaicans, we on the go
the price of basic items may be high but we still have wi pride
We a break records
We a set trends
WE a educate our people dem
Yes, yes, JAMAICA, on the RISE
WE a come from far
centuries of slavery
LIBERTY, LIBERTY, INDEPENDENCE, SOVEREIGNITY!
JAMAICA, ON THE RISE!!!
Categories:
jamaicans, black african american, history,
Form: Free verse
It is true that Jamaica is rich in tradition
and history,
Jamaicans don't view the world as everybody else
does, they are critical when it comes to love,
The country has more churches per capita,
So, the natives are not easily persuaded with
new chapters,
Youths who display a penchant for the same sex
may experience family neglect,
Musicians may sing about "Batty Men" and such,
and if children tell their parents they are gay,
The entire family thinks they are nuts,
Jamicans are stalworth and steeped in tradition,
the Gays think Jamaicans are prejudiced and
living in oblivion,
Around the world other people think the same way,
yet, they hide their biased feelings with jokes
and casual play,
The gays are no better because they perpetuate hate
with every letter,
If there was a contest for Ms. World, they would rather
choose an Eskimo girl instead of a Jamaican woman who
was competent and bright,
How does two wrongs make a right?
Categories:
jamaicans, political, world, family, family,
Form: Dramatic Monologue