HERE AND HEREAFTER

poem for today - February 20, 2014
Continuing Black History Month

An Old Jamaican Woman

Thinks About the Hereafter

What would I do forever in a big place, who

have lived all my life in a small island?

The same parish holds the cottage I was born in, all 
my family, and the cool churchyard.

                                                       I have looked

up at the stars from my front verandah and have been afraid

of their pathless distances. I have never flown

in the loud aircraft nor have I seen palaces,

so I would prefer not to be taken up high nor

rewarded with a large mansion.

                                                        I would like

to remain half drowsing through an evening light

watching bamboo trees sway and ruffle

          for a valley-wind,

to remember old times but not to live them again;

occasionally to have a good meal with no milk

nor honey for I don’t like them, and now and then

          to walk

by the grey sea-beach with two old dogs and watch

men bring up their boats from the water.

                                                          For all this,

for my hope of heaven, I am willing to forgive my debtors

and to love my neighbour ...

                                      although the wretch throws 
stones at my white rooster and makes too much noise 

in her damn backyard.

                                                © A. L. Hendriks

A. L. Hendriks: ‘An Old Jamaican Woman thinks about the Hereafter’ from On This Mountain and Other Poems (Deutsch). Reprinted by permission of the author.

Picture found on line.