Waggonist
I believe I’m a good person
Shorty yu know mi from when
Surely yu know I’m a good person
A long time me and yu a fren
So doan call mi Waggonist—
It’s simply a part of the psyche
Of being a Jamaican
Waggonism shouldn’t be taken personally
A simply so wi tan
When Bolt run third
Mi mout’ ketch pon ‘my’
Like why did this happen
At this point in time
Like Bolt ‘Why yu teck whe
Di whole a mi shine’
What happened to this
Dear Fairytale of mine
Like ‘Why yu stop be wi mule
After all of this time?’
A yu one run fi Country
Wid broken spine?
Yu cudn’t run wid di injury
Would dat be a crime
What happened to our dreams
Their dreams
What happened to mine?
I wanted to shout
Stop run wid teet pon necklace!
Tear off di bangle!
Elaine, yu have on too much hair
Gal! run wid di ankle!
As fi di 4X4 women
Mi waan fi join di fuss
Mi waa add a box
Fi no put yu country fuss
Mi Devil side waa sey
How so much people get cramp
At this particular time
Cause surely so much saltness
In one Championship
Really must be a sign
But den di Stadium hail di greatest
And who come fus get boo
Did not finish
And come third
Yet London Stadium
Sey a you
Usain, Thanks from a Waggonist
Be the best at what
You’re next up to do
But wait, Eh you!
No you did a cuss him
When him neva get choo
Gwey! Di whole a unu
A Waggonist too!
Lisa Gaye Taylor
First published/exhibited in JCDC’s 2023 Jamaica Creative Writing Competition
Mr Roy EBanks – Phantom
No footfalls announced his presence.
No wind betrayed his proximity.
Ebo simply materialised at the operative moment,
Saving us from anticipated sins.
At assembly, eagle-eyed he was,
Neutralizing mischief with a mere glance or a pointed finger.
Stern he was, but not forbidding,
Stories of his love, kindness, compassion abound,
Equaled only by his fights for the underdog and the defenseless.
Dean of Discipline, principal, teacher, mentor and supporter, father, friend,
We remember him with a smile, and a tear.
Rest in peace, dear Ebo.
– Ezra Engling
Ardenne High School, 1972-1977