Independent Jamaica ©Dawn Minott |with audio

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry

She’s a mere 146 miles long and about 51 miles wide
An island washed by the Caribbean Sea, a standout beauty tide-to-tide

She’s the jewel of the Caribbean, a little piece of paradise
Let it be known, her impact on the world far outweighs her tiny size

First the Spanish then the English sought to colonize
Her children—resistance fighters—battled for African heritage kept alive

Defiant—likkle but tallawah—refusing to be renamed
She bears her indigenous name—Xaymaca—Jamaica, land reclaimed

Among first of the Caribbean isles to dismiss the colonial power
Today she stands strong and proud, 61 years freedom tower

From freedom fighter, Nanny of the Maroons to pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey
Her people fought always for independence as their inherent right to be

From food to music to athletics and innovations
Best rest assured, if it’s irie, it’s got some Jamaican connections

The first tropical country at Winter Olympics with the Cool Runnings bobsled team
She’s even the first English-speaking Caribbean country qualifier with her male and female soccer teams

In the world of track and field—this is where she simply “JAminates”
Athletic superstars from Merlene Ottey to Usain Bolt—Olympics she dominates

She produces the world’s best coffee for drinking and even for singing
Koffee, the only woman and youngest person Grammy awarded—what a Rapture she is being

She razzle-dazzles taste buds with food, boonoonoonoos good
And, finger-licking meat jerked spicy-hot on wood

Her rich musical heritage from mento to dancehall
She hails chart toppers from Bob Marley to Millie Small

She will not be outdone in serving rum or giving praises
Guinness World Record holder—most bars per square mile right along with the most churches

In the sphere of innovation, there’s much to emphasize
She’s influenced nation building in those ten times her “likkle” size

In the Western Hemisphere, she built the first iron bridge and railroad
And the AT&T telephone system, from her technology they borrowed

Her flag bears no common color with those in the American flag
She speaks a rhythmic dialect, tribute to African heritage she brags

In only 61 years her legacy she stamped everywhere
‘Cause no matter where you roam, the black-green-and-gold will be there

For high privilege and responsibility of independence reigned
For nationhood, on this her 61st year, we give thanks for freedom gained

Happy 61st Independence to me likkle-big country—JAH-mek-yah 🇯🇲 Jamaica

2023 All rights reserved
Music: Bob Marley and the Wailers

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In creative solidarity, Dee

19 thoughts on “Independent Jamaica ©Dawn Minott |with audio”

  1. harripat's avatar harripat

    Well said Dawn, and happy Independence Jamaica.
    You are one of its beautiful and talented daughters.
    While most of what you said is true, on one point I must disagree with you.
    Jamaica is known for its strong culture and tradition
    But Barbados is the gem of the Caribbean.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Yes it is indeed a treasured island. It was the darling of pirates and colonizers but now it’s OURS!!! Jamaica 🇯🇲 land we LOVE! Thanks for stopping by Rasheed. Come again 😊 cheers

      Like

      Reply
  5. Unknown's avatar Roxanne

    Happy 60th independence anniversary, Dee. This is such a great piece of work. I love how your story-telling captures Jamaica’s history, accomplishments and its impact globally. Nuff congrats.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  6. Ellen's avatar Ellen

    Awesome write up/poem marking JA 60th Independence Dawn.
    Very informative information and key insights on Jamaica.
    Thanks for sharing Dawn I am so much wiser and even Prouder to Connect to my Jamaican routes.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Hey Ellen. I’m so glad you enjoyed the piece and found it informative. I really enjoyed researching for this piece. It was a reminder of how phenomenal this little piece of rock is and how wonderful we as a people are. If we can just stop the fussing and fighting. Proud to be Jamaican too!!!

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