​POEMS

Awakening

Awakened by a conscientious-conflict

The Frankenstein Monster within, rebels against me

Gnawing off quickly the wrangles, setting itself free.

Incited in a frenzied faceoff with the insight

Muscled greyer shades of the split-psyche

Pounce on the purported righteous self – Me.

The perennial paradox dithers perplexed, and succumbs.

I of Myself empowers it, pitching against the humble Me

To be or not to be, laments still the Hamletian soliloquy.

Resuscitated against the preying-pernicious, anew

The Indomitable Me prevails yet bemoans a beloved’s apathy

As the darker shadow of the self leaves me nonchalantly.

– Bimal Saigal

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The Old Beetle

In shades of retro, a classic delight,

Through winding roads, she cruised by twilight,

With curves of charm and a humble beat,

The old Volkswagen Beetle, a timeless feat.

Her body a shell of memories past,

A touch of nostalgia, made to last,

From hippie dreams to urban sprawl,

She carried stories, big and small.

With a sputter and purr, her engine roared,

A tiny powerhouse, beloved and adored,

Through eras of change, she stood her ground,

A symbol of freedom, globally renowned.

From countryside lanes to city streets,

The Bug brought smiles to all she meets,

Her quirky style and vibrant hue,

A beacon of joy, tried and true.

Though time may weather her outer shell,

In hearts of many, she'll forever dwell,

The old Volkswagen Beetle, a legend so sweet,

A testament to journeys, life's rhythmic beat.

– Dudley McLean II

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Cyaa Please Jamaicans

Jamaican athletes

A real 2009 World Champion

Wi tell di field auf wiedersehen

Back in Berlin, Deutschland

And even doa, wi beat Beijing

Wid wi 13 medals

7, 4, 2...still cyaa please Jamaicans

VCB get silver

Do di best dat she can

Wid an injury!

Di girl run as fast as she can

Now hear Brodder Sam

One drunkin man

A so dem stop win

When dem start teck yam

Married; lose all har strength pon man

She naa run again as fast as she can

Jus choo she start

Dah dah dee, dah dah dam

I remember going

To Mico Practising All-Age School

When Merlene win gold

An a we sey she rule

Den Jamaicans sey, Merlene

Tanks fi di gold

Now siddung

Like Gleaner

A same so yu ole

Dem perplex…

Di poor ooman soul

Den when she switch

Dem same one, sey she cold

As in fi poor Asafa case

Oral Tracey whip him

And Jamaicans trace

Hear one man…

“Asafa no lose money race

But when time fi Olympics

A fifth him a place”

Now under Bolt careful hand

Asafa di previous fastest man

Win gold an’ bronze

Meck himself a man

Now… hear, abusive Jamaicans

A shout, “Fi wi bwoy! Oh yes he can”

As fi Bolt in di 4x 1

Hear dem…

Another gold

Glad wi get another one

But since Bolt, a di world’s fastest man

How him fi bruck championship time

When wi a pree world reckad?

So people whe unu tink

Bout di women’s 400 metres

Whe have two Jamaican ooman

A run fi Merica

Since Debbie Dunn an Sanya Richards

Come from yard

No Merica

Doan is time dem call di team

United States of Jamaica?

Bruck di gold medal inna two

Piece fi wi, hee! piece Merica

Now wi atop di standings

A shout Gully an Gaza

Yardie rule Berlin

Gay bex like likkle girl

Bolt dash wey di twang

An shout, Jamaica to di Worl!

– Lisa Gaye Taylor