Ode to my heart
Betty - SSPL Literacy Volunteer
I saw you there unexpectedly
On the ultrasound screen
Pumping faithfully away
So many years of unseen service
Taken for granted, unsung
Alive on your own
And still a part of me
These are of those days
when I feel lost.
There are too many feelings
and I’m its host.
What to strive for and
what should I do?
I’ve spent so many days and
nights without you.
All things we shared
had left behind
I’ve grabbed my bags
but not my mind.
Only kids and I had escaped
by the plane.
The world has totally changed
since evil came.
I don’t understand
where to move on.
How to help my kids when
I’m on my own?
I know that I’m strong
I just need time,
Breath in and exhale
the sadness of mine.
Rice
You are a seed
You are so little
But you have a magic
Make us stronger and fatter
Rice
You are so sweet
I’ll kiss you then
Eat you and
Turn you into more kind of food
Cheerful
Useful
It’s you
Rice
Thanks for coming to us
And thanks to farmers
Who plant you for us to be
Wealthy and healthy.
I am from the place where the Father took four children on his lap and sang,
from the smelly kitchen were the mother prepared dinner.
I am from the place where the mother disciplined kids.
Grandpa taught you to write and read and showed you magic worlds of numbers.
I am from place where the rule was: you have to wash hands before and after meals.
The mother saw everything.
The house was full of flowers and magic smells.
Morning smells of hot milk, noon smells of tasty meats balls.
Nighttime around table everyone said what happened during day.
I am from the place where the Father, on Sunday morning, took kids to visit a museum or some exhibition.
It was a time without internet and Facebook.
We read newspapers and books, imaging how looked Alice in Wonderland.
I am from the coffee and panela taste,
From the sunshine and the warm rain.
I am from the small but bright home with blue floor and white walls.
I am from the palmeras, guayacanes and mangos
whose long gone limbs I remember
as if they were my own.
I’m from river trips and hot chocolate with bread
from Prospero and Silvia.
I’m from dinners and table games
and from long talking walks.
I’m from pichiquita and remanita
and the song “El Patito Chiquitito.”
I’m from candles day.
I’m from Bogota and Cali,
Changua and Champus,
from travels to the beach,
hugs, many kisses
and “I love you’s,” just because.
I’m from Jamaica
Surrounded by water, beautiful sunshine.
I’m from Kingston,
The capital of fourteen parishes
With crafty people that make baskets.
I’m from a small area,
Grew up with my grandmother who sings and goes to church.
I’m from a loving, caring family.
We cook fish, bananas, ackee,
Drink coconut water, coconut milk, etc.
I’m from a home
That is loving – we take care of each other.
We like to laugh, walk, sing, our tradition
Is to help people, take care of neighbors.
I’m from a beautiful place
That grows trees, vegetables, and running rivers and water.
I’m from Jamaica,
A place I love to be with family,
And friends, and neighbors.