Suitcases packed with borrowed hope,

hearts stretched thin on a fragile rope.

Mothers kissed their children’s head,

fathers prayed the path they tread.

From Norman Manley’s waiting gate,

dreams took flight to foreign fate.

London fog and Brooklyn cold,

Toronto streets both harsh and bold.

They scrubbed and worked in silent rooms,

sent barrels home to chase the gloom.

Letters folded, tear‑stained, worn,

kept families close though oceans torn.

Some found gold in distant land,

others struggled just to stand.

But every accent, every tone

carried Jamaica in its bone.

Migration carved a global thread,

a diaspora both wide and spread.

Yet no matter where their footsteps roam,

Jamaicans always carry home.

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About the Writer:

Poetess Defy is a Jamaican author, and poet, whose work is deeply rooted in the cultural rhythms, spiritual grounding, and lived experiences of the island she calls home. Born in Kingston and shaped by the vibrant communities of Harbour View, Windward Road, Rockfort, and Seaview Gardens; she has spent more than two decades writing, teaching, and preserving Jamaican stories through her creative and educational work.

As a writer, she has authored more than eighty books. Her work is guided by a deep love for Jamaica, a commitment to truth, and a desire to uplift and inspire. Her poetry, in particular, captures the humor, resilience, struggles, and beauty of Jamaican life, offering readers an intimate window into the island’s spirit.

Books by Poetess Defy