On Receiving a Jamaican Postcard
On Receiving a Jamaican Postcard
by Grace Nichols
Colourful native entertainers
dancing at de edge of de sea
a man-an-woman combination
choreographing
de dream of de tourist industry
de two a dem in smiling conspiracy
to capture dis dream of de tourist industry
an de sea blue
an de sky blue
an de sand gold fuh true
an de sea blue
an de sky blue
an de sand gold fuh true
He staging a dance-prance
head in a red band
beating he waist drum
as if want to drown she wid sound
an yes, he muscle looking strong
She a vision of frilly red
back-backin to he riddum
exposing she brown leg
arching like lil mo
she will limbo into de sea
Anything fuh de sake of de tourist industry
Anything fuh de sake of de tourist industry