| BARBADOS I WANNA STAYA story by DENNIS YOUNG
 ( WUNNA MASH UP MUH BRAIN)
 
 
 
 MC;de next performer is ..wait i can't make out the spelling of this
 
 name...
 
 someone shouts:the name's BABAJEFF.
 
 MC:thank yuh man..muh eyes failing muh..ok Babajeff come out wherever
 
 you are..
 
 
 
 
 
 Babajeff runs out of the audience with a piece of paper in his
 
 hands. he looks excited.
 
 Babajeff: alright peeps...uh here..uh ready..uh gine geh wunna one uh
 
 me poems.it's called BLOOMING.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 BLOOMING-written by Jeffrey(URIAH)McIntosh
 
 
 
 Blooming
 
 hey! our love is blooming
 
 with everlasting affinity
 
 and i await this union
 
 to begin our daily grooming
 
 
 
 Drifting
 
 oh no!  never drifting apart
 
 this will be a brand new start
 
 and when we make our mark
 
 i won't leave without you sweetheart
 
 
 
 
 
 Thinking
 
 yes! thinking of you forevermore
 
 because it's  you i adore
 
 and when we get together
 
 and i'l, cherish your love forever
 
 
 
 
 
 Sinking
 
 well! it looks like sinking weather
 
 but we'll plan our destiny together
 
 i'll keep a beautiful treasure
 
 for some continuous pleasure
 
 
 
 
 
 Lost
 
 come on! your love will never be lost
 
 no matter how much it cost
 
 because you are so sincere
 
 i'll look for you everday
 
 
 
 
 
 Love
 
 my love for you is so real
 
 let me prove it in detail
 
 i wish you were always here
 
 to share my thoughts each day
 
 
 
 Friendship
 
 our friendship will be  blooming
 
 along with a special union
 
 and we'll continue our endeavor
 
 to make love last forever
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Uriah walks away from the microphone before the last words has reached
 
 the audience.they clapped and wondered who he wrote the poem for.=(a
 
 guessing game begins).
 
 
 
 
 
 MC:Geh de man a harder clap dan dat,as Trevor Eastman would  say..
 
 hey..  you girl  geh de man a clap...hehehehe..
 
 (clap..clap..clap)
 
 MC:okkkk    dis next one gine wake wunna up..OLE SKULE AND MAD Q on
 
 stage to geh wunna uh kung fu show.it has a story behind it..MAD Q  will
 
 set the scene and then Ole Skule will show us de kung fu moves while he
 
 sings a soca song--come wid it..
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ole Skule comes on stage dressed as a shaloin master.he poses like he
 
 is  Wang Yu.MAD Q then sets the scene.
 
 
 
 
 
 Mad Q; This is a story bout a man name I-EN-KAY,who went to de plaza
 
 theater,to check out a flick--a kung fu flick..chop sticks..north
 
 leg..mek yuh beg..afterwwards he went to see his girl,but then de story
 
 goes another way.
 
 
 
 
 
 MAD Q: I-en-kay comes out de cinema
 
 comes out vex,because
 
 he found earlier in the week
 
 another man horning he
 
 breking of he beek
 
 -de man has a car
 
 -he has a scooter
 
 -de man has money
 
 -he borrows money from he mudda
 
 -the man has a job
 
 -he is still in school
 
 dress in short-pants
 
 but one advantage  i-en-kay  has
 
 -he knows KUNG FU
 
 so now let us see whu happen
 
 that day..
 
 
 
 
 
 OLE SKULE as I-en-kay:this song called KUNGFUSHUN..geh uh lissen..and
 
 watch me moves pon stage..uh gine geh wunna  de crane..de fox..de tiger
 
 claw..de eagle...all de styles uh know..so look out
 
 
 
 Ole Skule makes a stance like BRUCE LEE,then starts singing and wuking
 
 up to the beat.
 
 
 
 
 
 OLD SKULE:
 
 KUNGFUSHUN-written by R.Brigss-CC.1998-yom.additional
 
 lyrics by Dennis Young
 
 coming home one evening
 
 from a kung fu flick
 
 uh decide to check me gurl Yvette
 
 muh scooter did brek down
 
 so uh took uh ZR van
 
 uh get off at de back
 
 so uh cud surprise she
 
 but when uh reach
 
 she surprise me
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yvette in front de house
 
 wid a big able man
 
 sweet talk galore
 
 and she holding he hand
 
 he big like an ox and driving big car
 
 she looking into he eyes
 
 like he's a star
 
 
 
 WHULOSS!!  uh vex..uh in shock
 
 uh look pon de ground
 
 couldn't find uh big rock
 
 it's at dat moment
 
 uh lose me head top
 
 uh run up and geh he uh karate chop
 
 
 
 
 
 (chorus)
 
 kungfushun!! uh causing kungfushun
 
 in de road  dat night
 
 in Brenton
 
 kungfushun!! uh causing kungfushun
 
 Yvette tek off
 
 like OBA pon de stadium
 
 
 
 II.
 
 well den i spin
 
 did uh 360 back kick
 
 uh miss de man
 
 but de car's fender uh clip
 
 he get vex
 
 talking bout "boy don't mek muh laff
 
 yuh come to fight
 
 boy yuh don't stand uh chance"
 
 
 
 
 
 well uh in a rage
 
 like a tiger in a cage
 
 so uh put on a stance
 
 like Jackie chan
 
 doing a breakdance
 
 "hhhyhhhhhhhhaaaaay"
 
 uh shout an attack
 
 fist of fury
 
 now uh running back
 
 he swing a big cuff
 
 and clip me jawbone
 
 hurt me so bad
 
 uh bend down and moan
 
 whuloss!!
 
 muh face is in uh mess
 
 but uh get uh second wind
 
 drop kick he in he chest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (chorus)
 
 kungfushun!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I-EN-KAY--(in an oriental voice)
 
 so yuh want tek way me gurl  hmmmm
 
 fine den
 
 yuh got go through me first.
 
 
 
 
 
 (Man in an angry voice)
 
 wait yuh lil bony boy
 
 yuh like ya is a half idiot
 
 yuh can't test me
 
 i kin turn yuh
 
 into uh duppy
 
 uh does work out
 
 uh big like uh bull
 
 one cuff in yuh mout
 
 and wid nuff teef..um full.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ole-Skule;
 
 yuh din know i have a black belt
 
 in king fu taekwondo and tai chi
 
 
 
 Man:
 
 ha..ha..ha.. uh black belt yuh might own
 
 but de pants yuh wearing, is yuh brother wun
 
 so get outta muh way
 
 uh gotta geh Yvette muh pay
 
 uh love she bad
 
 so don't get mad
 
 we gine get marry
 
 and de ring uh buy,
 
 to de altar
 
 yuh kin carry
 
 
 
 
 
 Ole Skule..(real angry now--in bajan chinese accent)
 
 
 
 marry..marry
 
 dah's me gurl from schools days
 
 she's de first girl uh kiss
 
 under uh pea tree
 
 so don't run up muh blood pressure
 
 and mek muh fall down
 
 here suh..
 
 yuh leave me no choice
 
 flying fist of fury
 
 de drunken master
 
 de crane..de eagle
 
 de lizzard.tiger,snake and racoon
 
 crocadile,de north leg
 
 uh gine throw in de pot-starver style
 
 dah one gine send de place wild
 
 
 
 
 
 (chorus)
 
 kungfushun!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 uh share bare licks dah night
 
 muh mudda had tuh come
 
 and tek me way
 
 just like a bajan  Jet- Li
 
 when uh done
 
 uh pose pon he
 
 just hear de big man beggin
 
 
 
 MAN CRYING:
 
 "" lem muh go i en coming back atall
 
 keep de woman
 
 uh leffing like Winston Hall
 
 so please don't brek muh hand
 
 ayyy ayye
 
 uh sorry.. yuh can't understand
 
 i'm only she outside man
 
 
 
 ole skule:
 
 let dis be a warning
 
 to all wunna so-call hard-seeds
 
 touch muh Yvette
 
 and deal wid dese
 
 (showing fists)
 
 she's mine..nobody
 
 can tek she
 
 from me
 
 muh name is I-en-kay
 
 and uh causing nuff kunfusion
 
 in here
 
 
 
 
 
 KUNGFUSHUN...UH CAUSING KUNGFUSHUN.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The crowd has taken to the floor.it's  another wining session. it
 
 lasts about eight minutes..the DJ  stops the music and the MC restores
 
 order.
 
 
 
 MC:Cheese on..  wunna feel in here belong tuh wunna..all the wining and
 
 de juking mek muh wann ...x(heehehehe)..ok  well that's all for the
 
 night.the show has come to an end,but guess what.. Patrick has told me
 
 we gine carry this show over to friday ...all day..so if yuh have to go
 
 work..call in sick--nah just joking..school children if wunna in
 
 here..dah mean wunna en do nuh homework and we don't wann  nuh picky
 
 brain people pon stage..so guh school and we gine ketch wunna another
 
 time..please see John Roette,if you want to perform on friday...all
 
 others who were due to perform tonight,we have your names,so please get
 
 here on friday 9:30 am sharp...anyway have a safe trip home..peace
 
 
 
 He runs off the stage and towards some girls seated with Mario Layne.he
 
 gets a few phone numbers and he is happy.
 
 
 
 
 
 The crowd leaves the room orderly.some people  singing the words to
 
 KUNFUSHUN.smiles all around.
 
 
 
 
 
 Duawee fists Brian.Brian reaches forward,hugs Veronica.Ingrid hugs and
 
 kisses both of them.it's been a long day..to home and to bed
 
 ..sleepyheads.they walk to the car.
 
 
 
 
 
 A slight caribbean wind flows through the night.a hug and a kiss and
 
 some warmth enters her.a few yards from the door,they notice a girl
 
 crying.they approach her.
 
 
 
 
 
 Duawee;what's wrong? are you lost?
 
 girl: no i'm not lost.my boyfriend got mad and drove off.now i have no
 
 way of getting back to my hotel.he also took my purse with him.i don't
 
 now what to do((sniff..sniff) can you take me to the hotel please?
 
 
 
 Her eyes begged harder than her words.the flow of tears dripped unto
 
 their hearts,melting them into compassion.Even though it was late,they
 
 would have taken her anyway,but the eyes..greenish-blue surrendered all
 
 else._ A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN_
 
 
 
 
 
 Duawee; come with us,we'll take you there? what's the name of the  hotel
 
 ?
 
 
 
 The  girl gives Duawee a card with the address and steps back into the
 
 shadows.she nervous.another tear rolls down her face.the moonlight
 
 captures and shines it upon her face.Veronica  gives her a tissue.she
 
 wipes away the tear and follow them.the car is waiting amoungst the
 
 hustle of a smaller crowd. a crowd still singing  the
 
 words--kungfushun__kungfushun down in Breton>>
 
 
 
 CAR turns around.
 
 Three occupants,night,search,questions,silence,questions,anxiety found
 
 the hotel..sees the room..walks to door..knocks..no answer..knocks
 
 harder..open .. a face sleepy and drunk smashes against the night
 
 air.The face mumbles something about ^leaving a god-forsaken island^,
 
 with profanity following through spit and pittance.somewhere in his
 
 heart there is hatred breeding..a  racist breed-He showed his true
 
 colours to  his girlfriend.she stood at the door shocked and bewildered.
 
 
 
 
 
 Veronica; will you be okay? should we wait with you?
 
 Girl: no,i'll be okay.he'll be asleep in a minute...see
 
 
 
 A body stretched across the bed,leaving no room for anyone.it laid
 
 motionless.
 
 
 
 
 
 Duawee:he's gone for the night.so i think you'll be okay from here. we
 
 didn't exchange names..mine's  Duawee..this is Veronica
 
 Girl; i know her name.she's Veronica the singer.i saw her sing tonight
 
 on the stage..very good.i really enjoyed your singing.are you a
 
 professional?
 
 Veronica: no i sang in church as a little girl,but no profesional
 
 experience to speak of.
 
 Girl:: well you were great.i cannot even  sing  for my supper(laughs).
 
 a brightness returns to her cheeks and her smile radiates again.
 
 
 
 Girl: my  name is Leslie  O'Hara. thank you very much for bringing
 
 me..here's the number to the hotel,.as you can see  i'm in room 107.call
 
 me sometime..ok..  get home safe and thanks.
 
 
 
 
 
 Veronica took the information.They left the room's light and walk Into
 
 the night. Veronica wondered what new adventure awaited her. a close
 
 hug from Duawee .Tthe car drove slowly out of the courtyard of the
 
 hotel.Before  the car could find its third gear,Veronica had sleep  down
 
 pat. Duawee looks over and smiles to himself..a thought enters his head
 
 and he plants it on her lips---- A quick-love-yuh-bad -kiss--.Sleep  was
 
 taking him towards  his home.he felt  like a wreck after kicking those
 
 numbers in his head all day. a night rest would restore his
 
 senses.>>>>radio:
 
 JAZZ
 
 
 
 ;;;Arturro Tappin  is playing.>>>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 House ...wake up  ..a light..blurred from sleep.door opens ..mind and
 
 feet scrambled  to  bed.she lies on  her back..gets up in a
 
 semi-concious state,brush teeth and quick shower..opps..she forgot to
 
 bring her  nightie to the bathroom..a towel surronds and she's in the
 
 room.--QUICK QUICK.. nightie..it's cold...(*&*) A noise.. two people
 
 talking..cannot make out the speech. it must be the television.sleep
 
 awaits her.laughter from the next room ..no television sound..that's
 
 laughter  coming from  the other room.
 
 An angry mood strikes her.
 
 she screams inside of her head: ""eh eh...  no..no no..i know he didn't
 
 bring Wendy in here... no ..he's gonna have to make a choice tonight.
 
 
 
 She fixes her hair without a mirror  view and walks slowly to the room
 
 next door.the laughter louder now..she's getting madder now.she knocks
 
 and pushes the door at the same time.she wanted to catch the surprise.
 
 Duawee  is sitting in a chair at the end of the bed and the laughing
 
 person is sitting up .
 
 
 
 Duawee: hi... i was waiting until you were  out of the shower..go over
 
 there and look at the baby.
 
 
 
 Over in the corner of the room a baby slept soundly.the surprise which
 
 had caught Veronica earlier, now becomes a laughing matter.she,also
 
 laughs at her first thoughts..it triggers her mind again__"i know he
 
 didn't bring Wendy in here".
 
 
 
 Veronica: Hi..how are you?.I had a great day today.so much fun.i guess
 
 you guys were laughing at me,singing on stage.
 
 
 
 Duawee: No.i was showing the moves used by the last performer.i think
 
 his name was Ole Skule.you remember when he started to move across the
 
 stage,how the young girls ran to the front and starting copying all the
 
 kung fu moves. i like the POT0-STARVER STYLE,now that was funny.go on
 
 Veronica show Marlene how it's done.
 
 
 
 Veronica's actions caused a burst of laughter,which made the baby stir.
 
 
 
 
 
 Marlene;  SCHHHHHSSSS.. the baby,don't laugh so loud. go on Veronica do
 
 that again...and I miss um...  cheese-on-bread.
 
 
 
 
 
 Veonica; It was good.there's so much talent hear. i also liked those
 
 three girls who sang CARIBBEAN PEOPLE.that's is such an uplifting
 
 song...and do you know who was on stage too..Brian's girlfriend
 
 Ingrid..the girl can sing..had a few of us in tears with her song...and
 
 today i used my first bajan words.i went up to the bar for water and
 
 lime..he didn't have any limes..so i looked him straight in the eye and
 
 said..."GIMMUH SOME MAUBY"...before i leave i'm going to have some
 
 others for you...come darling..D .. come to bed..you are sleepy..
 
 ok Marl ..we'll talk tomorrow ok..let me get my baby to bed.
 
 
 
 
 
 Marlene;OK...before you go..i just wanna explain why we are here..my
 
 mother and Lorraine had tuh visit uh sick aunt in another  parish,so she
 
 asked Duawee if we could stay here for a few days..i hope i'm not
 
 ruining  plans..
 
 
 
 Veronica;no..we don't have any plans..we are in love and that's all that
 
 matters right now__( yeah right)_. we'll talk tomorrow.
 
 
 
 They leave the light of the room .Their shadows lengthens against the
 
 wall and follows them out.Marlene turns the darkness on.the baby makes a
 
 cute sigh .Marlene lays there thinking_"oh i wish i was there today-the
 
 video taping..then the talent show"_..she saw herself on stage singing
 
 and dancing.. sleep took over and she fell into a sleep baby.
 
 
 
 Duawee's shower was over in 4 minutes.a towel dried him as he walk into
 
 the dim-lit bedroom with boxers shorts on.he remembers the surprise from
 
 the morning..the house was  quiet.the whistling frogs made their music
 
 outside. he looks at Veronica lying on the bed..her eyes  closed.he
 
 eases into bed.his body ached from the hard days work.the numbers and
 
 the numbing sun-heat  breaks his body down..the pillow welcomes him.he
 
 turns to kiss her.the bed creaks.the lips  touch and the sweetness is a
 
 kiss.a soft kiss,without caress. a sigh .a beating heart and a sleeping
 
 woman..nothing  happens.
 
 He goes to sleep.
 
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
 
 ::::::::::::::""""""""""""""">>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<***
 
 
 
 
 
 Morning..baby crying.hurry to the stove and a bottle full of milk for
 
 the baby's thirst..ahhhhh..
 
 
 
 The crying wakes the lovers and the bathroom is occupied within
 
 seconds..brush teeth..wash face..check her hair..check himself..out to
 
 the room to continue..
 
 a kiss begins
 
 rising everything
 
 again.
 
 baby crying interrupts and all gets lost. another sigh and the ceilings
 
 reads their thoughts. (ah-well)
 
 
 
 Duawee hurries to the shower and breakfast.he kisses the baby..hugs
 
 Marlene and quick kisses Veronica..he's gone.. into the morning..to his
 
 job with the numbers.
 
 
 
 Marlene  makes breakfast and shouts;VERONICA...BREAKFAST READY.
 
 A sleepy head emerges from the bedroom,slumps down into a chair and
 
 yawwwwwns.a chatter erupts between  the two women.yesterday events are
 
 prominent in the conversation.the morning runs smoothly until another
 
 cry from the baby.Marlene rushes to baby and brings her back into the
 
 kitchen.Veronica takes the baby.she feels comfortable.
 
 more conversation and baby gurgling. Veronica loves the small bundle of
 
 joy and the little smile warms her heart.Marlene goes off to use the
 
 phone.
 
 
 
 Marlene  runs in from Veronica's shouts : THE FOOD...THE STOVE
 
 ...MARLEEEEN... not a real disaster,but an avoided one.Marlene runs back
 
 to the phone,tells the voice on the other end,she'll  talk later,returns
 
 to the food and the small talk.they are becoming the best of friends.the
 
 baby becomes bored and falls asleep again. The scream from the kettle
 
 tells them it's  TEA TIME.baby to bed,pillows on each end, to prevent
 
 falling.kiss on the forehead, to show love.a wish in the heart,for her
 
 own baby.a walk to the the tea room and more laughing.a phone
 
 rings.Marlene runs again.the phone's for Veronica.She thinks it's her
 
 boo.No,it's Leslie O'hara.
 
 
 
 Veronica: hi...is everything ok?
 
 Leslie:yes..everything's fine...David..my ex-boyfriend left this
 
 morning. we had a long talk before he left. i could not believe the
 
 hatred within him.i was very surprise at him.anyway he's gone and i'm
 
 staying.
 
 Veronica; how long are you staying for?
 
 Leslie:i'll be here until sunday,soaking up the sun and sipping pina
 
 coladas and rum punch...ohhhh lala  and the music. wait till i get back
 
 to New Jersey.i'm going to show my girlfriends how to move the  butt
 
 like a windmill...(laughs) i think i've got it.
 
 
 
 Veronica;i'm here till sunday also,so maybe we can hook up and do some
 
 shopping and maybe have lunch tomorrow...   and yes girl i can do that
 
 dance too.
 
 
 
 Leslie: ok..tomorrow is fine.do you still have the number?
 
 Veronica;let me have it.Duawee left it somewhere  in the car.
 
 
 
 Leslie gives her the number and says goodbye.They end  the conversation
 
 with a CLICK.Veronica goes back to the kitchen and the smell of
 
 cooking.The food is laid on the table with soft drinks.it tastes very
 
 good,just as good as Junie.(like mother,like daughter).
 
 the afternoon quickly arrives and brings sleep with it.Their
 
 conversations become jaded.wash dishes.bathroom.teeth cleaned.Veronica
 
 with baby.Marlene on the sofa.TO SLEEP.
 
 The radio adds a nice mood to the quiet house.classical music chopin's
 
 violins- a high /\low bee-sounding concerto in G minor.The sound floats
 
 across the semi-silent room into the kitchen and then in all the
 
 rooms,until it escapes  out of the house,into the yard,between the
 
 trees,across the pasture and wet grass...along the little road,next to
 
 the cane fields.the sound spreads into the other houses.it's a rich
 
 sound.an afternoon sound,when all be still in the land.it's a time when
 
 little children sleep..when sleep takes all the noise and muffle the
 
 sound. the sound returns as bright coloured dreams.coloured dreams are
 
 rainbows of life,which later become deja vu'.time moves slooowly. it
 
 drags along with the hot sun.there is scarcely any movement,bar a stray
 
 dog or cat running.human movements are limited around this time.as the
 
 time runs through the sound and becomes 3pm,children are release from
 
 school.they play noise out,into the street..chopin violins breaks into a
 
 violent news item,follow by a bajan beat.. calypso. children running
 
 home.it's a playful  noise.it's a noise which floats through the
 
 streets, to the houses,along the  road, next to the cane fields,across
 
 the pasture and wet grass..between the trees,into the yard..then it
 
 breaks into the house,into all the rooms and wakes baby.
 
 ^^^_CRYYYYYYING.
 
 
 
 Veronica wakes up and rocks the baby.she tries the schhhhhing noise.it
 
 does  not work.out of the bed,baby in arms. the milk. The baby stops
 
 crying when she notices a familar,stranger face. play words until the
 
 milk's ready. Drink milk...over the shoulder..pat baby's back..
 
 BURRRPPPP...wipe the excess milk from the mouth and play.Veronica is
 
 curious about the little playful noises coming from outside,so she looks
 
 out from the front window.School children uniformed and playful.Girls in
 
 bright blue dresses with yellow shirts and white socks tucked into black
 
 shoes.Boys in khaki short pants, starched without a crease,their shoes
 
 matching the girl's,but with  socks roll down.shirt ends loose and
 
 flapping in the wind.The sound of the shoes and laughter makes a
 
 pleasant sound.Two girls notices  her and the baby.they approach
 
 cautiously and whisper hello.Hello is sent back with a smile and a
 
 little rocking of the baby.
 
 
 
 
 
 One girl: what's you name?
 
 Veronica: Veronica....Veronica Hayes. What's  your name?
 
 Girl: my name is Camile and this is my friend D'sree.her mother named
 
 her after the singer who lives in England...you know the girl who sang a
 
 love  song with Babyface.
 
 Veronica: yes i know her,a very pretty woman.
 
 Other girl: yes,she lived here for awhile.her parents are from
 
 Barbados...where are you from?
 
 Veronica:i'm from America
 
 The two girls are bewildered...it is not as their mind has
 
 suggested.she was not from Barbados,so she's not going to be a
 
 MRS.MAYNARD.they look disappointed.they were reading Veronica's
 
 face,trying to place a resemblance.none to be found.Marlene enters the
 
 picture.sleep still in her eyes.
 
 Marleen: Veronica yuh coulda wake muh up.
 
 Camile; is that your baby? are you related to Mr.Maynard?
 
 Veronica: no,it's not my baby...I'm Mr. Maynard's friend.
 
 Both girls: He's your chossel den...alright ...(sing song)
 
 (singing and dancing)  ---Mr.Maynard's got uh girlfriend...uh
 
 chossel..uh boo..he's getting married soon...how about you?---
 
 Veronica,the baby and Marlene laughs at their antics.some other school
 
 children join them.Questions  are thrown all around.Veronica loses some
 
 of the words and throws them at Marlene.Marlene answers all of the
 
 questions in a tuff bajan accent.A force-ripe boy,age about eleven makes
 
 eyes with marlene,who cuts her eye and sucks her teeth (schupps).he
 
 looks away,feeling stupid.his friends laugh at him.The girls want to
 
 hold the baby.Their wishes are answered,with a *BE CAREFUL* following.
 
 The baby is juggled around in the afternoon sun.she gets fed up and
 
 starts to cry.Veronica takes her and makes the shussshing noise..baby
 
 quiet again.
 
 
 
 puh-lang..puh-lang ..de bread man.
 
 
 
 AN aroma came with the van.The sweet smell of sweet bread.the bread man
 
 took the money and in return gave out jam-puffs with gauva jelly seeping
 
 out of the soft crust,sugar laced on top.(((-BITE-)))
 
 turnovers..sugar glazed on top.in the middle, chipped coconut mixed with
 
 more sugar.(((BITE))). the taste sweet and challenging.some coconut and
 
 sugar escapes and falls from your mouth and your hands.savor.
 
 cut drops, yellow with raisins dotted all around...lead pipes..a sweet
 
 coconut bread,long and sugary. salt bread(don't let the name fool
 
 you,there is no salt,just a soft crusty bun,which holds more of your
 
 dreams))..salt bread hold cheese..CHEESE-CUTTER.(bite).it holds ham
 
 .HAMCUTTER.(bite).it holds fish..FISHCUTTER.(bite). two fishcakes in
 
 between a salt bread is called UH LIFESAVER...choice bread..sandwich
 
 loaf .pudding bread..rock cake..  so many different breads..((DID
 
 SOMEONE SAY  ZEPHERINS)).A long, ice-cold, glass of lemonade or coconut
 
 water smooths the journey through the stomach.
 
 
 
 
 
 Homework,school children,stop play and go home.the books have to be
 
 read and filled.They depart the scene with little good-byes and long
 
 looks of tomorrow.soon the street was empty.
 
 Veronica looked out at the deserted  scene."quite fasinating" she
 
 thought.just a few minutes ago a crowd of fresh faces with laughter had
 
 entered her life,time had spoken for her and they had replied in kind.it
 
 was a small good time.she enjoyed the company.later a van would
 
 appear,they would surround the van,eat,then disappear."
 
 "would i see these same faces tomorrow"__-
 
 Marlene,the baby and Veronica leaves the heat of the house and walk
 
 outside. A bus loaded with people came to a sudden stop. 50 yards from
 
 where they were walking.A scamble to disembark.a fat woman was taking
 
 her own time.her basket had landed on a man,who started cursing. the fat
 
 woman stopped him with one of her verbs.a burst of laughter from the
 
 other occupants.the driver reeves the engine,displaying his impatience.
 
 he squeezes the gas pedal a bit and hit the brakes at the same time. the
 
 bus jumps and stops suddenly.the fat woman falls in the man's lap. the
 
 man,135 pounds,cannot lift up  a 218 pounds woman.the weight is too
 
 much.he starts to moan.the fat woman turns evil and pretends she cannot
 
 move.she laughs.he moans.the bus jerks.she moves. he moves. the bus
 
 jerks.the bodies imitates the bus' movements.the laughter stops.the man
 
 moans.the woman moans.the woman looks in his eyes.the man looks in
 
 touble. she gets up from his lap and steps from the bus.the man has
 
 bought a dog__(an english saying)__.the woman bends over and picks up
 
 her basket.the man looks at himself and then at the woman.the woman
 
 looks good.she turns around to greet his eyes.his breath is on her .a
 
 question-"can uh help yuh wid yuh basket?"
 
 A reply "sure".he lifts the basket and his hopes. she walks behind him
 
 to check him out.a thought enters her head "eeemmmm uh wonder ef he does
 
 moan all de time".the walk is short.  they pass Veronica,     Marlene
 
 and the baby.he nods his head.she is still looking at him.they enter the
 
 house.she closes the door behind her.it's been a long time since a man
 
 had entered her home. the only men who came through her door were-the
 
 bread man,whenever he wanted to settle her account of money owed..the
 
 garbage men,who always wanted "uh drink fuh de old bones" and an old man
 
 who used to come on saturday night ,talk and drink her rum.after the
 
 *old geezer* was gone she would feel so lonely.Today another man,a small
 
 nice looking man, has come through her door and into her life.the sweat
 
 of the day clung to their bodies .thoughts are in their heads,but a cold
 
 shower would remove the thoughts and pushed them straight into
 
 drink-mountgay rum __straight,shaken and stirred.
 
 
 
 *****%%%%******
 
 the water flowed and a faint moan came through
 
 a galloping of horses/heartbeats
 
 crashed against the wall in the shower. a body rushes into a cold sweat
 
 and within the cold sweat another body burns with desire.
 
 the water flowed.
 
 a tired kiss and movement towards the beginning and the end.
 
 bodies wreck from the day's journey
 
 finding a way and a strength
 
 the water flows
 
 giving life
 
 back again
 
 it's measured
 
 in small glances
 
 with warm invites
 
 teasing....
 
 the stealing
 
 of flowers
 
 the water flows.
 
 numb and nervous
 
 reaching into pockets
 
 and losing frustration
 
 the water flows
 
 then drips......
 
 ******%$#@!@~~~*******
 
 Curled bedsprings with arched backs against pillows.
 
 a series begins.
 
 the first kiss  slow and trembling.
 
 the second kiss  smacks of eagerness.
 
 eyes closed ..a sudden surge of wet and want.
 
 an abundance of wishes outstetched.
 
 SIGH.
 
 high.
 
 knotted against the backdrop of a mirror view,two  embrace.
 
 RAPTURE.
 
 there, in the silent afternoon/room ..a kiss begins over and over and
 
 over.
 
 a body quakes.
 
 a lake of fire surrounds and two in desire dwell,drowning and becoming
 
 one.
 
 sea saw.play in the shadows of late afternoon.
 
 a serious new-found love.
 
 a discovery.
 
 rocking./sea-saw
 
 juggled and paw.
 
 scatch fingers moved down back center.
 
 small mountains discovered and conquered by lips and saliva.
 
 gasping air in sudden moans,bearing down in rocking-sea-saw fashion.
 
 (remember when?... the first time)
 
 no noise from lips.not a spoken word.
 
 just the squeaking bedsprngs.
 
 closed windows shuts out the sounds.
 
 eyes open wide towards the ceiling..gasping air.
 
 cheeks close and whisper.... a shortness of breath.
 
 18 minutes elapse into calapse
 
 trembling, tight around the midriff of now.
 
 NOW.. held tighter in between thighs.
 
 another arched back weakens and falls .
 
 THERE, they went.
 
 into a love well spent.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Evening comes with its suddeness and lays down to sleep.
 
 two heads on pillow, with dreams deep.
 
 
 
 
 
 ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
 
 
 
 Veronica pushes the baby's pram along the road.grass hung over the road
 
 and scratch her legs.it tickles.she reaches down to swat the itch.a car
 
 horn catches a glimpse and shouts ..brrrrrrrraammmm...praaammmm.the men
 
 in the car shouts;LOOKA DE FOOD
 
 Marlene shouts: LOOKA DE FOOLS.
 
 Veronica is unaware of what's going on.she thinks Marlene knows the men
 
 in the car.The baby is sitting and enjoying her ride through the
 
 streets.A few people greet them.Young and old women with baskets on
 
 their heads,speak and hurry on.They have finish in the fields,but their
 
 husbands and boyfriends will come home hungry and must be fed.so
 
 now,they must hurry to the kitchen.The excitement of seeing people
 
 speaking and rushing home, grips Veronica.people so friendly.she
 
 questions Marlene""is everyone on the island always so friendly?""
 
 Marlene: about eighty percent.It is something our fathers and mothers
 
 and their fathers and mothers instilled in all of us.RESPECT. you must
 
 speak to old ladies.you must nod your head at old men.you must greet
 
 your peers with a *hey* or if yuh really know them you must greet them
 
 with uh *how yuh gine*(how are you doing?).i was brought up that
 
 way.Duwaee was brought up that way.Lorraine will bring up this baby the
 
 same way.RESPECT.some things have changed over the years.the young
 
 ones..some from my generation have lost direction.i love to party,but if
 
 my mother looks at me,one day and tells me i am not to leave the house.
 
 i'm taking off  muh clothes and uh gine tuh muh room,sulk uh bit,read uh
 
 book,then when uh get tired poking out muh mouth,i gine and sit down wid
 
 she and watch television.yuh see muh mudda get dese feelings
 
 sometimes.whenever she wakes up and feels uh certain way,she does get
 
 frighten.she seh her mother,my grandmother, died and lef she wid the
 
 signs.My grandmother could predict things.she mek muh frighten one
 
 day.she seh if uh din learn at school,then uh Bugga Boo Man was gonna
 
 hold me and tek me way.i din pay she muh mind.so uh act like uh know
 
 evvathing.one day uh walking home from school and uh talking tuh
 
 muhself.uh just happen to look back and uh see dis old man, wid an old
 
 hat on his head,shouting at me... girl uh just tek off through the cane
 
 fields. uh run and lef muh shoes. uh run straight into muh room,tek out
 
 de bible,pray and then sat and read fuh three hours straight.uh had to
 
 tell  muh sister to go and get muh shoes.All de time muh mudda and
 
 grandmudda  laughing at me.muh grandmudda tells me, three  days later,
 
 that de man shouting at me,that day, was my deceased grandfather,her
 
 husband and he was shouting for me to stop my foolishness and get
 
 serious.That's why i am what i am, today.A lot of muh girlfriends envy
 
 me.uh does get a lot of things from muh mudda and she does let me go
 
 anywhere uh want,within reason.i'm waiting for a scholarship from
 
 america,so uh might see you again soon.yes,uh would say this is what
 
 makes this country beautiful..RESPECT.
 
 
 
 Veronica;ok,i didn't understand some of the words you used..what's a
 
 Bugga Boo Man...it's sounds like all black people have these type of
 
 stories.
 
 
 
 they laughed.the road had new patches of tar and looked like a jig-saw
 
 puzzle.they walked for about two miles and turn around.the smell of
 
 freshly cut canes ran up their nose.Three young boys came out oif the
 
 cane fields and gave them cane.the cane was peeled and ready to
 
 eat.Marlene bit hers first.Veronica watch the juice falls all over her
 
 and unto the baby's hand.the baby looks up and smiles.Veronica takes her
 
 piece of cane,places it between her lips,between her teeth and bites
 
 down...ahhhhhh  she cries.her teeth  surprise at it's harshness.she
 
 watches Marlene again,then she tries it again.this time the sweetness of
 
 the cane juice runs down her lips and unto her hands.she makes a
 
 sqeezing sound,just like Marlene.the boys walk away.they will peel as
 
 many cane as possible and then go home.Veonica's jaws begin to hurt.she
 
 thinks to herself_"maybe Duawee would like to help her eat it later."
 
 they return to the house. School children are disembarking a bus .some
 
 of them speak.some of them  don't.some girls are shouting at each
 
 other.some students,in the bus, are making so much noise,the driver is
 
 thinking of retiring early.some girls are flirting with the
 
 conductor.some boys are shouting out instructions  on how to approach a
 
 mathematical formula.the bus drives away frantically.
 
 __SILENCE__.
 
 Marlene and one of the young girls know each other.she introduces the
 
 girl to Veronica.they talk for awhile,but the evening is closing so
 
 fast,they rush to their homes.The baby is taken from the pram and placed
 
 on the floor.They wait for Duawee to arrive home.Ten minutes later his
 
 car comes to a halt.Veronica goes to the door and greets him with a
 
 kiss.she takes his briefcase.He Look tired.He  sits and eats very
 
 little.Veronica's toes on his toes brings a slight smile to his face.she
 
 whispers in his ear**=**something about later tonight and catching up
 
 with where they had left off.He looks at her with a half smile.The
 
 plates are removed and a glass of ice water sippped.
 
 
 
 Evening news..politics...crime...education..around the region made
 
 strange bed-fellows..but it's  the growing state  of what tne islands
 
 have now become..at the end of everyday..news bring home the reality of
 
 life..in these islands --THERE'S DANGER EVERYWHERE,.EVERYDAY.
 
 
 
 ()()()_(())_(())_()()()
 
 
 
 
 
 night falls all over the place,street lights come on...little children
 
 hurry to homework,a cup of tea(milo) and bed.the street lights sheds
 
 it's life on gambling men,in a vice trap with dice.  and words  are
 
 repeated in  a sing-song style--- BABY WANTS BOOTIES ...WIFEY WANTS
 
 PANTIES AND DE CHILDREN WANT  RICE AND PEAS --NOW FEED THEM DICE..FEED
 
 DEM DICE..... THE street light shows church-women whispering to the
 
 lord,a cymbal beat under their arms and within their hearts.. A church
 
 woman sees her son in the crowd and remembers.HE is on his knees
 
 praising the lord and crying..now she has become MOTHER BO PEEP..she has
 
 lost her sheep and only wickedness can find him..he sees his mother and
 
 looks away quickly.
 
 --NO TWO EYES SHALL MEET,NOT AT HOME,NOT ON THE ROAD..WHEN HE
 
 SLEEPS..SHE BE GONE..WHEN SHE RETURNS..HE BE GONE..WHEN SUNDAY COMES HE
 
 BE SLEEPING LATE..NO CHURCH  PRAYER SHALL BURN HIS HEART ..NO MOTHER'S
 
 LOVE WILL CHANGE HIM...ONLY A DICE  CAN MAKE THINGS RIGHT IN HIS
 
 HEAD...THERE IS NO HOPE IN HIS LIFE..one night he turned in his sleep
 
 --nightmarish-- his stomach turns/burns and air collects his hunger..and
 
 he begs forgiveness in secret..so only God will hear.. he flirts with
 
 the devil and gets caught up in the washing of money    ..drug money. he
 
 has spent some of the money  and must get  it back  before  10am. so the
 
 street light must be his guardian,because no one else can save
 
 him..$530.00 is a lot of money and his mother doesn't have it...$530.00
 
 is a lot of money and he may have to steal it.In the night he stoops
 
 with a burning desire  to win...to win his life..tonight.
 
 
 
 The darkness travels along with the light. it surrounds the houses and
 
 retreats wherever light abounds. voices stir within the light,in the
 
 houses.televisions and radios blare out their sounds. Their sounds so
 
 strong ..devouring conversation.. no one talks anymore.media words and
 
 action entrall the masses..they become hypnotised...they become slaves
 
 to the television's action and the radio's violence.this is where it
 
 begings.the society's changes are reflected from the television
 
 screens.the words lay deep with adolescent's  dreams.words become action
 
 and action becomes an aperture of the future.the future becomes bleak
 
 and the present is the future.so the days are spent.. without repent____
 
 without apology.
 
 __stealing,gambling,cursing,drugging,raping,shooting.__ bywords before
 
 the judges and juries .. pleading innocent.all seems lost in the
 
 islands, where preachers paved words with disguised intent..all seems
 
 lost when school children become force-riped men and women ..all seems
 
 lost when greed takes over and people try to keep up with the Jones' and
 
 are now left alone in divorce/bankruptcy court.
 
 (_DO YUH HEAR DE SOUND?_)..all seems lost when the leaders pied piper
 
 their followers into cultish behavior...all seems lost when places
 
 become biblical Sodom and Gomorrah..all seems lost when  death comes
 
 a-calling and Aids strike the young..heart attacks  teenagers.. and the
 
 young and the old go forth to answer GOD. ALL IS NOT LOST..it just seems
 
 that way..the way they portray you,will make you act the fool..don't let
 
 them paint you..don't let them critique you..don't let dem curse
 
 you..please.. please ..don't let them.. You are not lost,you were always
 
 here..a beautiful reflection of yourself..a flower amongst thorns..you
 
 are you..don't let no one throw bad influences on you...
 
 YOUNG MAN/WOMAN  PLEASE I BEG OF YOU.
 
 LISTEN TO YOUR HEART AS IT BEATS
 
 LISTEN TO THE WIND AS IT BLOWS
 
 WATCH THE RIVER AS IT FLOWS
 
 FEEL THE HEAT OF THE SUN ON YOUR FACES.
 
 WATCH THE SUNSET FALL FROM DISTANCES.
 
 BECOME ONE WITH YOURSELVES.
 
 BE YOURSELF AND NO ONE ELSE.
 
 =when life threatens you with hunger and there is no money in your
 
 pocket..give thanks and praises for your life...thank the lord for
 
 another day,because in another time it would be fading away.
 
 COME.LET ME SHOW YOU___
 
 In  another world  skeleton children of Africa and warn-torn children of
 
 Bosnia, don't have time to pray..they fall and rise,stumble and  dies..
 
 everyday..no time to pray...no time is left because  at anytime life
 
 becomes death.no time is left..their bellies are empty and their eyes
 
 become deep-begging symbols.no food today..a little yesterday..maybe
 
 tomorrow..maybe. In the war of words the children are silent..they have
 
 no say..bombs drop everyday..ethnic cleansing. MURDER-GENOCIDE with no
 
 place to hide,they don't want to die..but bullets with family names
 
 break down doors,smash through windows,killing everyone in the
 
 room...ETHNIC CLEANSING..the bullets even kills the widow.(MURDER)_(DO
 
 YOU HEAR THE SOUND?). the night reaches out  with dark hands.it's lonely
 
 in their world.hungry african..frighten bosnian..goes  to sleep without
 
 genuflections.
 
 ___*___
 
 African child's hunger ends tonight..the journey is over..life
 
 ebbs..ebbs in the dust of tomorrow..in the nape of the night.. in the
 
 distance thunder of heaven..there is no beating heart..no more crying in
 
 the wilderness..no more searching..the bridge is over..the bridge is
 
 over..the heart still..the eyes fold...the night becomes permanent.
 
 
 
 _____****____
 
 Bosnian's child runs as the stray bullet finds his PA. PA is dead.He
 
 cried from a blown out shelter,under his mother's arms.His father's
 
 death so senseless.a hurt within him grows and water flows.down by a
 
 river infested with dead bodies..hide and run..run and hide.. a new game
 
 of life and death..((NO SCHOOL TODAY,BUT CAN'T GO OUT AND PLAY.))
 
 But four days of journeying..his mother,his sister and his bare
 
 trembling bones..the soldiers.. foreign gave food and push them
 
 along..no time for conversation..a war is happening..a house 28 miles
 
 from grandmother's grave is where they laid for six days..the night
 
 scatched like hay upon a bed full of sleep/nightmarish dreams..and the
 
 broken door flapped in the wind. ..SUDDEN GUNS..shouts barking out and
 
 mother widow ,mother shelter, mother  mother dead too.
 
 +_______
 
 MOTHER...MOTHER.. Two little voices shout.... there's no answer..so  he
 
 runs and  his sister fell in his  arms, at his feet..slow motion.. guns
 
 still barking dogs, spitting death and sister hangs in your head.. RUN!
 
 RUN! CHILD RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.. twenty yards and his breath chokes
 
 him,because his  father's death..his mother's death ..his sister's death
 
 and their love and life  pulling him in... R U N
 
 run..r.u.n..n.n...r.u.nn..un..un//
 
 unnn ()>> r.u.....u.nnnnn.
 
 nn
 
 n.
 
 Bullets enters  and life leaves.
 
 _
 
 ((BOSNIAN/AFRICAN CHILDREN AND ALL CHILDREN,ALL OVER THE WORLD DYING IN
 
 THE FACE OF MY PITY,I DIE FOR YOU AND PRAY FOR YOU.I DO NOT HAVE
 
 ANSWERS.))
 
 
 
 **CHILDREN OF AMERICA..WESTERN EUROPE..CARIBBEAN..ELSEWHERE..TAKE
 
 HEED..WHILE YOU ARE OUTSIDE YOUR WORLD AND THE MUSIC HITTING YOU AND THE
 
 DRUGS ARE MESSING UP YOUR BRAIN AND YOU THINK YOUR LIFE IS LOST..FIND A
 
 MINUTE, ONE DAY, TO LISTEN TO THE WIND AS IT WHISPERS TO YOU___** we are
 
 at peace**__  we are at peace**.
 
 
 
 it's the soul of dead children who stood no chance,but prayed for the
 
 life you take,so much, for granted.
 
 
 
 (((WRITER'S NOTE_--- excuses made for the young are just that EXCUSES.
 
 In far off years- .i grew up with the poor..i grew up poor..we saw the
 
 cowboys on television,gangters too..we played our game,using sticks as
 
 guns..we played dead.. we played and left it there,in the past..we grew
 
 up to be men,and some of us strayed and did't make it..Today i stand and
 
 see a wasted journey for the young. i could tell them stories, but they
 
 wouldn't listen,..the shouting and barking guns are all they
 
 hear,between their ears.))
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 TO BE CONTINUED
 
 ..DE DEV..
 
 
 
 TO friend Leslie O'hara..LOVE ALWAYS.
 
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