(In Heroic or Elegiac Quatrains rhyming abab)
My favourite heroes are these in Bim
In this order I dare proclaim to you
Errol Barrow and Sobers full of vim
Adams and the rest I think of them too.
The tools of heroes did build this island
Barrow's wheels were on every building site
His moving shafts scraped the dirt from this land
His deep throated speeches caught them with spright...
Into new Barbados I proudly stand
Wherein I clutch his mirror image bag
With pride and industry ever so grand
I pledge allegiance to the Trident flag.
In real time I've seen Barrow with my eyes
I was a young rural St. Lucy gal
In this parish lies his family ties
Of his cousins one was my next door pal.
Dad lived an arm's length from his childhood home
Of Barrow he talked with a joyful tone
The common folks he gave his brand new comb
From fork and hoe...he brought them telephone...
Into new Barbados I proudly stand
Wherein I clutch his mirror image bag
With pride and industry ever so grand
I pledge allegiance to the Trident flag.
Barrow used good tools for nation building
His moves on them were witty and real fast
Over rough terrain he kept them rolling
On a path of self-reliance at last.
No doubt, I trust 'an errol' in my purse
Barclays can keep the pounds, shillings and pence
Credit cards or ponzi schemes make heads curse
"Champagne taste...mauby pockets" is pretense.
Into a new Barbados I proudly stand
Wherein I clutch his mirror image bag
With pride and industry ever so grand
I pledge allegiance to the Trident flag.
In a memorable song John King sings
"All hands on deck give the Skipper respect"
His social-justice soars on eagle's wings
Independence for us gives self-respect.
Barrow left us a profound legacy
He gave free education with hot lunch
His mirror image we reflect and see
Father of the Nation kept common touch...
Into new Barbados I proudly stand
Wherein I clutch his mirror image bag
With pride and industry ever so grand
I pledge allegiance to the Trident flag.
© Paterika Hengreaves
January 2009/Barbados
My favourite heroes are these in Bim
In this order I dare proclaim to you
Errol Barrow and Sobers full of vim
Adams and the rest I think of them too.
The tools of heroes did build this island
Barrow's wheels were on every building site
His moving shafts scraped the dirt from this land
His deep throated speeches caught them with spright...
Into new Barbados I proudly stand
Wherein I clutch his mirror image bag
With pride and industry ever so grand
I pledge allegiance to the Trident flag.
In real time I've seen Barrow with my eyes
I was a young rural St. Lucy gal
In this parish lies his family ties
Of his cousins one was my next door pal.
Dad lived an arm's length from his childhood home
Of Barrow he talked with a joyful tone
The common folks he gave his brand new comb
From fork and hoe...he brought them telephone...
Into new Barbados I proudly stand
Wherein I clutch his mirror image bag
With pride and industry ever so grand
I pledge allegiance to the Trident flag.
Barrow used good tools for nation building
His moves on them were witty and real fast
Over rough terrain he kept them rolling
On a path of self-reliance at last.
No doubt, I trust 'an errol' in my purse
Barclays can keep the pounds, shillings and pence
Credit cards or ponzi schemes make heads curse
"Champagne taste...mauby pockets" is pretense.
Into a new Barbados I proudly stand
Wherein I clutch his mirror image bag
With pride and industry ever so grand
I pledge allegiance to the Trident flag.
In a memorable song John King sings
"All hands on deck give the Skipper respect"
His social-justice soars on eagle's wings
Independence for us gives self-respect.
Barrow left us a profound legacy
He gave free education with hot lunch
His mirror image we reflect and see
Father of the Nation kept common touch...
Into new Barbados I proudly stand
Wherein I clutch his mirror image bag
With pride and industry ever so grand
I pledge allegiance to the Trident flag.
© Paterika Hengreaves
January 2009/Barbados
4 comments:
I can feel the proud you have and the respect for this man and island
I am getting curious to Barbados now. Actually all I know about it is through you and it looks good.
Hello Marja
It is nice to have you back. I'm about to view your pictures. Thank you very much for sharing the delights of your Christmas holiday. I wish for you a wonderful, prosperous and healthy New Year.
Thank for your comment on this blog. It always a joy to read your thoughts.
Cheers
Paterika
Kia ora Paterika,
When I read your new blog and post about Poetry in a Nation's DNA it brings this alive for me even more, even helps me understand my own self a bit more.
Have a lovely day.
Aroha,
Robb
Kia ora Robb
Thanks for your comments. I was over at your place. Rob you write beautifully in prose. The cadence that falls from reading each word is beautiful. Your poetry great is as well. Posted a comment for your camping trip on the slope of Vinegar Hill on Rangitikei river and accidently touched the esc key while reaching for my cup of tea. Now I am retyping it again. My next house-call is Bob who has returned home and is back on his job. Now off to the Ruahines I go.
Cheers
Paterika
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