in this tranquil place

“Hail to Jamaica, the Island of Springs!
Peace on her meadows her radiance flings.
Beauty and gladness have made thee, dear land,
The loveliest spot in earth’s wide, watered strand.”
—Astley Clerk, Jamaican Patriot (May 1868-May 1944)

summers shall not cease,
nor springtime, while the breeze
hoola-hoops the mango leaves
and stirs the guinep trees.
 
every flow’r that blooms
for maidens and their grooms,
every tear of him who grieves,
nor brevity assumes,
 
while the green grass springs
and warblers spread their wings;
joyful anthems earth receives
of flutes and chorded strings.
 
winters find no grip,
nor autumns foliage rip,
for no flagrant vesture thieves
dare plunder heaven's hip strip,
 
where the native boys,
by their ingenious ploys,
pull new hat-tricks from their sleeves,
outwitting fate’s decoys.
 
in this tranquil place,
we live by faith, always:
jamaica, where the soul retrieves
bounteous, Amazing Grace.
 
© Copyright 2024 July 06
by Clyve A. Bowen♫