They walked before the world knew our name,

soft‑footed children of sun and flame.

Across the hills where the rivers bend,

their stories rise where the mountains end.

They carved their homes from cedar and clay,

watched dawn spill gold on a newborn day.

Their hands shaped tools from stone and bone,

their hearts beat close to the land they owned.

Cassava baked on a quiet fire,

calabash bowls shaped with care and desire.

They fished the sea with a reverent grace,

left no scars on the island’s face.

Zemis whispered in forest air,

spirits guarding the people there.

They danced in circles beneath the moon,

their voices blending in ancient tune.

Before the storms, before the chains,

before the centuries of pain,

the Taino walked with gentle tread—

their footsteps echo where they bled.

And though their villages turned to dust,

the land remembers; the land is just.

For every trail and every stone

still hums the truth:

they were the first to call this 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