Poetry

Christmas In the Caribbean

My Island

Every December painting of houses, 

New furniture and definitely new curtains, 

To show off with the neighbours.

Why would people go through such torture? 

Every ending of the year to impress neighbours and the rest

The smell of vanish and enamel paint in the air

Windows cleaning, House sweeping 

The pile on the garbage is higher than ever before

The furniture from January to November is not good anymore

So into the store; to hire for more.

The garbage men quarrel and snare with grunts from here to Timbuktu there

Every pick-up time is furniture, old and new 

They say,"Didn’t you get this last year"?

Lights and tress as bright as can be

Designs upon designs outdoing each other 

Makes no sense, I have to wonder.

Christmastime in the Caribbean

Spending and more spending 

Just because it’s all brand new

And for trucks to stop at their doors 

January morning, they all singing money blues

No money to buy or pay for their necessities of life 

They all spend it off for one day, just for themselves 

All for elaborate fun

Is this really Christmas at all?

I rather to be in the arms of my beloved ones 
Cuddled near the fire place 

Reading stories of old and new places.

Yes the story of my beloved Saviour 
His birth and the joy He brought
Bring peace to my heart.

Christmas for me is also about the cooking, 
That should be in abundance.

Not for myself but to bring each other together 

Food is magical on a table, 
It makes people talk and laughter

No one is greedy at the table

Bringing joy to others around 

Sharing of some  fun and what I have
Is what I love at Christmastime.

Right now I am full of marshmallow 

And it isn’t Christmas day as yet.

Dust and polish, polish and dust, I love Christmas time 
Ham and turkey on my plate, 
big enough for me to share.

With forks from one end of the table in mine  

Mine in another across the room

Drinking and sipping of wine and eggnogs 

I wonder who will be left behind.

Boxing day come, your eyes are open,

Oh my I have to catch the jouvert band

That is Christmastime in the Caribbean