|
Untitled
I came from the land of wood and water. Hardship struck, but I never
falter.
Evergreen plants, sleeping police, loose gravel, smells of rotten mangoes,
stinking pigsties, stagnant water, wet dirt. Walking on broken bottles
bare-footed.
I am made of boiled chicken feet, cow tongue, cow ears, goat meat, goat
head, salted cod fish with ackee and gully beans my Aunt Marie reaped
from people’s backyards.
I was educated in the streets, on the streets, by the streets. Back
biters, back and belly rats, two mouth cutlass, hypocrites they all
just might be your own. Ned taught me that lesson very well.
My blood lies in Grove Farm, Church Pen, Kinston, China, Syria, Cuba
and the mother land Africa. I now reside in America. Hustlers, open
lots, nickel bags. Lawns that have no grass, rubbish on doorsteps, stray
cats playing with dirty diapers.
Cardboard boxes under beds, empty rum bottles, seven seas cod liver
oil, smells of fried chicken, fish and curry goat. New foundation of
old black socks hanging on a vent, The Holy Bible, writing paper, red
Dodge, bald head. From a new school. I have smoked in my pipe, dogs
eat dogs, never bite more than you can chew.
- Kadian McFarlane
|
