Ms. Punsie husband was hot one night.

He went to di kitchen fi get a drink.

What him find was so profound,

poor man nearly have heart attack

an faint by di sink.

Him hear a whimper, him hear a sigh.

Him think it was a duppy

moving round dat night.

“Never mind,” him thought, “all is well.”

Him just ago drink likkle wata

an go a him bed.

Him search fi di cup up pan di cupboard,

swing open di fridge door—

an di next ting, di cup drop

an shattered pon di floor.

Punsie husband was so surprised—

nuh di likkle dog did a mek di noise.

Di dog did deh deh,

lie dung a tek cool breeze

pon di bottom shelf of di fridge—

nuh hide him a hide from di heat.

Mr. Punsie call fi him wife fi come see.

She run come fass‑fass,

tinking burglar a try tief

har white rum and crystal vase.

She exclaimed loud‑loud in surprise:

“Ah wah dis, Michael?

A wah yuh do to Gladis?

Why is di dog lying dung inna di fridge?

Michael, open yuh mout—sey someting!”

“Yuh tink me is idiat? Yuh tink me is fool?

Yuh jus’ damn lucky

him neva nyam off di food.”

Mr. Punsie turn an tek out di dog,

an walk go a him bed, a dead wid laugh—

but wah har husband seh didn’t mek sense.

Gladis di dog tek har shame face

an gi Michael bad yeye,

watching longingly as Ms. Punsie

shut di fridge door tight‑tight.

Gladis was surely not amused,

an wanda if dem fi get seh

dem lef har inna di heat—

all sweat a run dung har teet.

Ms. Punsie dem lie dung unda dem fan;

wah him fi do?

Afta him nuh have han

fi turn an mek fashion.

Is lucky him did lucky dat night

when Ms. Punsie lef di door open,

an him squeeze an go in tight.

Di cool was precious, it was so sublime—

him barely get fi spend adequate time.

Ayayi.

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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