My Hair is Angry
I 'wrote' this poem as I was heading to work one dry season morning, chip, chip, chipping along in the traffic jam. The backs of receipts work well when you're driving. It was a period when Trinidad and Tobago was going through a lot of "gang killings" and the atmosphere was tense. It seems that things have not changed so very much 7 years later.
Keep in mind that I write "talking poetry" so they may not read as well. Perhaps, I'll present this to you guys once again but then I shall tell you what I think.
_____________________________________________________
My hair looks angry
My hair is angry
It sticks out every which way
dry/brittle each twist doing its own thing.
Reflecting the confusion I feel
Yet my face smiles.
My nails are angry
Breaking with every move
No more, flexible, beautiful, strong
But my face smiles.
The hills of Laventille ring
Ring with Death
A thrown net of kidnapping
engulfs, tightens around Caroni
While the west is set
upon with robberies/murders & petty thefts
Look to the east to see
the bush fires of people's lives
Port of Spain a fetid
pulsating orb oozing the pus of neglect
Yet my face smiles
My country is angry
My people are angry
Yet our faces smile
Keep in mind that I write "talking poetry" so they may not read as well. Perhaps, I'll present this to you guys once again but then I shall tell you what I think.
_____________________________________________________
My hair looks angry
My hair is angry
It sticks out every which way
dry/brittle each twist doing its own thing.
Reflecting the confusion I feel
Yet my face smiles.
My nails are angry
Breaking with every move
No more, flexible, beautiful, strong
But my face smiles.
The hills of Laventille ring
Ring with Death
A thrown net of kidnapping
engulfs, tightens around Caroni
While the west is set
upon with robberies/murders & petty thefts
Look to the east to see
the bush fires of people's lives
Port of Spain a fetid
pulsating orb oozing the pus of neglect
Yet my face smiles
My country is angry
My people are angry
Yet our faces smile
April 5, 2005
Just finished reading "My hair is Angry". I laughed because my hair is tired. I think when you cannot bring yourself to express what you feel verbally, it is allowable to be creative! in fact it is downright healthy. Have a great day. M.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting concept of our island. Can't seem to understand why our lives have taken such a dark turn. What are the authorities and even the ordinary people doing to bring about change.
ReplyDeleteR.
Very interesting concept of our island. Can't seem to understand why our lives have taken such a dark turn. What are the authorities and even the ordinary people doing to bring about change.
ReplyDeleteR.