Jamaica

I believe there is nothing so hot as that which has reached its boiling point. I fear that this could be the reason for the recent trouble that has erupted in the area of Tivoli Gardens in Kingston Jamaica. I have been feverishly weeding through the many and varied reports and have found to my dismay, that much of what is being circulated is based solely on rumor and has no factual merit. This sort of propaganda is merely fuel for the fire under a pot already boiling over. It is imperative that the truth be told and it hurts me to say that I am yet to find the whole truth. What I do know is, this began as a result of an extradition request, that violence erupted in retaliation to the signing of said request, which caused the issuance of travel advisories by the international community and most importantly innocent persons mainly children are being affected.

The extradition request for a resident of the Tivoli Gardens area to face multiple charges in the United States was delayed through court proceeding and legal technicalities for several months by the Jamaican Government most notably the Prime Minister. Only God knows the true reason for the delay but it is my belief that this delay for whatever reason gave those who opposed it ample time to prepare for what seems to be outright war. Starting with access roads to Tivoli being blocked and growing from there.

Police stations in and around the area were targeted, one was set on fire others reported being fired upon. What caused this turn, only those involved would be able to say but in return the Jamaica Armed forces were sent into the affected area in an effort to bring the uprising to an end which as we can safely surmise caused the outside World to sit up and take notice.

The fighting between those individuals and the Armed Forces drew national attention as the casualty rate slowly rose on both sides. As though the situation isn't bad enough, the misinformed along with those who choose not to verify or to question what they've heard have gone viral. Using Facebook, Twitter and Youtube as tools to spread information that is unsubstantiated or in some cases completely false. Much like the Chinese telephone game played as children, information spread, changing and in some cases taking on a life of its own, which resulted in travel advisories being issued from the USA, England and Canada. What those who choose to engage in propaganda fail to realise is they contribute to the compounding damage that the situation already has on those who live in the country.

It hurts my heart to see this beautiful country so divided, this situation will have a ripple effect because it will affect the tourist industry and much of the country depends on this industry to survive. However more painful is the reality that no matter how this ends, it will leave the children caught in the middle of it forever scarred. As anyone who is familiar with Jamaica knows, this is CXC time and the thought of children who live or attend schools in and around the affected area having to face the challenges of this turmoil when they are already on edge about sitting their exams breaks my heart.

This pot has been bubbling for more years than I can count but now that it has began to boil maybe it will be an opportunity for everyone in Jamaica to start fresh, back to the days of "One People" back to the days of "One Love" back to the days of being able to disagree without the need of violence, the days of an island united, an island of persons that not only said but believed the words of their pledge...

JAMAICA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Before God and All mankind.

I pledge the love and loyalty of my heart

The wisdom and courage of my mind,

The strength and vigour of my body

in the service of my fellow citizen.

I promise to stand up for justice,

Brotherhood and Peace,

to work diligently and creatively,

To think generously and honestly,

so that, Jamaica, may

under God, increase in beauty,

fellowship and prosperity,

and play her part

in advancing the welfare

of the whole human race.

...God Bless Jamaica
Deo Volente
May 26, 2010

The heart never forgets.

Have you ever found yourself in a position where all the flags and alarms said RUN! well if you have, we have something in common. I find it hard to trust those who have, simply because they could, betrayed my trust. However I have to wonder if in spite of my reservations, considering the circumstances, the words that were so painstakingly uttered and might I add repeated to be sure I heard, were genuine. The thing is, this person has never not once in my life said these things, she may have once or twice "pretended" to care in order to manipulate a situation but never has she done this before. I frankly was dumbfounded, certain (ish) she did not mean a word of it. Yet I found myself feeling sorry for her, I can't imagine how it must feel to be so cold and calculating, that has got to be hard work, don't you think? Never the less there is good in her somewhere I am sure of that after-all God made her. That said I am going to accept her words but leave things just as they are because like it or not we are too far gone to turn back now.

Deo Volente
May 21, 2010

update.

So far this has been a challenging week, it just goes to show one should never get too comfortable.

DV

Sir Rooster

Why does the Rooster crow
please tell me if you know
I'd bet it's not because the day
has started so to make its way
across the burning sky...
that may just be a lie
I tell you if I had to guess
the reason would be his distress
a tortured bird is he
for no he cannot flee
tormented by his feathered cell
each morn he is compelled to yell
to tell the world his tale
for though he is to scale...
his wings shall always fail.

Deo Volente
May 18, 2010.

Wishing...

how beautiful the day, that starts on a wish
a dream cast upon a falling star
from a hope that finds its wings
to a melody that sings
on mountain tops as vast as they are great
how wonderful the feeling of true faith.

two reaching arms that will embrace
contagious smile across one face
to catch the eyes of all who dare to see
a breath that sets the spirit of life free

the drive to live not just exist
finding the strength not to resist
knowing that the sun will always shine
how marvelous the wish that is Divine.

a kiss that sails across the sky
each quenching drop from clouds that cry
birds that sing in harmony their song,
yes a day born from a wish may not be long...
but it simply is too precious to be wrong.


Deo Volente
may 18, 2010.

Wind

oh sweet wind
may I be the leaf
you toss about in swirl and sweep
that flies alone in your embrace
in sonnet of transparent grace
to see what lies beyond the tree
oh in your arms I'd like to be

to hoist that sail of dreams alone
and let your touch direct me home
but fanciful is such delight
for sweet wind you are fierce in might
the gentle that is on your gauge
can quickly turn into such rage

If all you seek is but a leaf
then you become a whispered thief
but if sights set upon the tree
then roots and all yours it shall be
your heavy hand of force...
will not be set off-course

yet foolishly I close these eyes
and wish to be the leaf that flies
for gentle is your sway
if only for a day...
sweet wind to sail away.


Deo Volente
May 18, 2010

Shhhh...

At times I find myself begging for silence
words are marvelous but silence is superior
there is so much power in silence it can be deafening
it begs the speaker to listen, the thinker to think
it moves the believer and shakes the non believer
I adore its power, I covet its presence, I revel in it
every chance I get.
Yes there is Majesty in the toss of the wind
grace in the whisper of love
glory in the sound of the spoken truth
yet none of these can bring me as close to peace as the blessing of silence.
I am told that it is golden, I believe that it is benevolent...
it is my desire today.

Deo Volente
May 16, 2010.

connection

On mother's day I got the usual calls but one seemed to explain the heaviness that was on my heart on Thursday of last week. Maybe I am over thinking it a bit but it would certainly explain why out of nowhere I felt so out of sorts and why just as suddenly as that dark feeling came over me, on Friday when I awoke it was gone. I often wonder if the love we feel for those close to us can actually make us feel their pain even when we are unaware that they are in pain. I suppose that is the theory behind the connection of twins but I am not a twin. Never the less I was informed that a friend had had emergency surgery around the time my heart sank. I thank God it all went well and I pray I never have that heavy feeling again, not just because it felt so overwhelming but because now I know it really means something.

Be Well
Deo Volente
May 10, 2010

darkness.

I believe that some days need more prayers than others, today or rather yesterday was just such a day. Nothing went wrong but everything felt wrong. My heart felt heavy as though something was nagging at me and I just could not shake the feeling. It didn't help at all that I have perhaps the worst headache I have had in my life but still I tried to muddle through it all. It's not the first time I have had this feeling and I suspect it will not be the last. Never the less I figured I would step out into the virtual world and seek some form of pick me up and just as dark as my day was so was my virtual walk. I watched a report about a very grim situation in Jamaica which made me truly sad, then I saw a video about a young woman who had been in a plain wreck and that just made me want to cry. The woman was severely burned but to me, she radiated beauty. I guess yesterday was not meant for laughter, I was simply supposed to wallow in a dreary corner of my soul and muddle through the aches and pains that perched on my heart...maybe tomorrow will be a brighter day, maybe tomorrow my sun will shine.

Deo Volente
May 7, 2010.

hermit I am

I never go where the crowds gather
where others believe they must be
I never blend in with the masses
for fear that somehow I'll lose me

I rather not venture with many
I simply prefer just a few
it's woven so into my being
tis all that my heart knows to do

those paths that are worn
I shaln't tarry
those roads so well paved I ignore
I rather the path never taken
the rugged terrain I adore

It maybe that fear is my motive
it maybe that I am just shy
It could be a fortress of reasons
the truth is I do not know why

I'd rather be one woman standing
a single small voice in the rain
and when each tomorrow comes calling
I'm sure I shall do it again

I rather not follow the pavers
or tar on the path someone made
for I treasure that which makes me marvel
and believe my own path must be laid.

Deo Volente
May 4th 2010