Bless up yuh spirit every mawnin yuh rise— stretch yuh hope, wash yuh mind clean, and step out wid purpose bursting. Bless up yuh spirit when di day get rough— when di phone won’t stop ring, when di world a test yuh patience, when yuh feel like yuh cup drop an bruk up. Lift yuhself … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Bless Up Yuh Spirit by Poetess Defy

She rise before cock crow, tie head, lift basket, and step out pon di cool morning road wid purpose in har stride. Banana leaf whisper as she pack dem neat‑neat, breadfruit skin shining like polished gold. She call out “fresh tings!” and di whole lane answer, for she is di heartbeat of every hungry yard. … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Di Market Woman by Poetess Defy

A cool breeze wanders infrom the sea’s blue memory,lifting the heat from my skinand carrying the scent oflime leaf, river stone,and far-off laughter.It reminds methat even in summer’s blaze,the island knows howto soothe its own heart. About the Writer: Poetess Defy is a Jamaican author, and poet, whose work is deeply rooted in the cultural … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: The Breeze Off the Sea by Poetess Defy

Morning breaks over the hillside And snakes up to my windowsill; The defense they mount is futile As she slips effortlessly, like butter, Through their rearguard. Her yellow dress is stunning, Covering wall to wall; Lazy bones stretch, muttering compromising curses As sleep scampers away like a timid rabbit Way too early. Though stunning, This … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Morning on my Windowsill by Poetess Defy

Miss Cherry swear seh JPS a thief har, “Mi nuh use light! Mi go a mi bed early!” But every month she bawl same way, Bill high-high like Blue Mountain surely. She march go office wid receipt in hand, “Mi want manager! Mi want proof!” Dem check di meter, check di line, Find out is … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Miss Cherry Water Bill by Poetess Defy

Sunday evening — Di whole lane turn orchestra. Pot cover knock, spoon beat pan, Rice bubble, chicken sizzle, Seasoning scent run marathon. Miss Punsie hum hymn, Miss Joyce sing oldies, Mr. Brown whistle off-key. Pickney drum pon bucket, Dog bark bassline, Birds add harmony. Dinner ready, Noise done, Lane quiet like curfew night. But every … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Pot Cover Symphony by Poetess Defy

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, … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Ms. Punsie Dog & Di Fridge by Poetess Defy

Mango season come in wid style, bold like it own di place. Tree dem bow down heavy‑heavy, mango drop like rain pon face. Pickney run out wid plastic bag, ready fi war wid di breeze. First one reach get bragging rights, second one bawl, “Save some please!” Di big man climb like him still young, … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Mango Season Madness by Poetess Defy

Hello, Readers! I’m excited to announce that author Denise N. Fyffe and Poetess Defy books, will be discounted by 25% at Smashwords during their 18th Annual Summer/Winter Sale! The sale, which lasts the entire month of July, is a great time to get books, at bargain prices. You will find the sale here starting on … Continue reading Smashwords 18th Annual Summer/Winter eBook Sale

Di fan start act like it nuh have sense,spin slow‑slow like it tired fi live.Mi beg it, “Please, jus’ blow one breeze,”but fan only hum like it cyaan forgive. It wobble like it drunk pon heat,lean lef’, lean right, then freeze.Mi tap it twice pon di rusty neck—fan look at me like, “Mind yuh please.” … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Di Fan Dat Betrayed Me by Poetess Defy