Jamaican Poetry: Independent Jamaica

By: Denise N. Fyffe.
Copyright © 2017, Denise N. Fyffe

1962 we were reborn an independent land
Lush green hills and brilliant aqua waters in the Caribbean span
The sun set on August 6th and we were birthed a new nation
Not a giant, but we had the beginnings, perseverance and culture to be one;
Free from dependence
Free to rise to international prominence
Free to decide the affairs of our people and land
Free to be dominant anywhere we put our hand;

Two cousins, two charismatic gentlemen
Stood tall, representing the people,
Leading in governance;
Manley and Bustamante were visionaries of their time
As they carried the Jamaican people from the holds of Britain
Opening our minds;
Our battles were fought by the brave and strong
The nation we are now is owed to six heroes and a heroine’s hand
Marcus, Busta, Manley and Sharp
Bogle, Nanny and George William are cemented in our hearts;

Since 1962, ten leaders have risen to the thrones of government

And now we are lead by the strength of a woman,
Who oversees our country’s development;
Bob Marley beseeched
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
His songs and words are one of Jamaica’s crowning glories;
In the four corners of the world we are well known
For producing conscious music that thrills many to the bone
Reggae, Dancehall, Kumina, Ska and Mento too
With soul renting lovers rock and Beres Hammond tunes
Rhythm and rhymes continue perpetually in time
With singers like Dennis, Freddie and Tarrus Riley exhilarating our minds;

In 50 years we have produced many visionaries
Spanning many genres and industries
Stamping their dominance
Rising to the forefront in our country;
Charles Hyatt, Oliver Samuels and Louise Bennet-Coverly
Professor Rex Nettleford, Rudolph Williams and Edna Manley
Masters of the arts, dance, acting and comedy
Bringing us laughs and stories of Anancy;

Whether it is football, netball, domino, cricket or chess
In 50 years, Jamaica has produced some of the best
One memory we will never forget
Is that of our Reggae Boys scoring goals in the World Cup football net;
Herb Mckenley and Merlene Ottey

Have been the beacon to our youths
Inspiring 100, 200, and 400 sprinters
With Usain Boltnow reigning with his gold Puma shoes;

Michael Frater, Asafa Powell, and Yohan Blake have made us proud
With VCB, Melanie Walker, and Shelly-Ann Fraser waving our flag high
In front of millions of cheering fans and stadium crowds;

Jamaica at 50 stands as a strong, independent land
With lush green hills and brilliant aqua waters in the Caribbean span
Rolling valleys filled with lignum vitae flowers,
Humming birds and ackee trees
We are proud Jamaicans,
African, Indian, Chinese or Lebanese;
Full of flavor like the Pimento spice
Truly in Jamaica, a yah so nice
Diverse in culture, Diverse and strong
God Bless Jamaica, Independent Jamaica, fi wi small and sweet island.