Poetic Commentary: Jamaicans Celebrate Labour Day
May 24, 2020 | By Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |
On Monday May 25 we celebrate Labour Day …
It is a Public Holiday …
A time to accomplish a new task
Also to reflect on the past …
We recall the labour riot of 1938 …
When workers were very concerned about their fate …
Working conditions and wages were low …
Their discontent led to a public show …
Sir Alexander Bustamante et al stood up for those them did oppress …
He put his life on the line as he bore his chest …
“Shoot me, but spare the worker”
He was a brave warrior …
Norman Manley did play a role
As a lawyer he had to legally control
He too rose to the call …
Helping to improve that which did appall …
Today most have a 40 hour work week …
Trade Unions ensure job security is not so weak …
Working conditions them did improve
A situation that we all approve …
The right to strike is enshrined in law
All this is the right call …
Let us all stand tall …
By not doing anything to cause our downfall
Let us not forget C19 as we celebrate …
Community spread will stem our fate …
It will wipe out our stride
And cause infection rates to spread
wide …
So let us stem community spread
Stay inside you yard instead …
Labour at your place …
Do so with pride and grace
If you have to go to a pub or bar
Social Distance … Or stay far
Do not hug and closely greet …
When you see friends in the street
Bear your chest …
As you publicly go about hug-less
Do not be shy to say hi and bye
People will understand why
Let us wash hands and wear a mask
Stopping community spread is the real task …
Change your stance …
We must adopt for more than an instance …
Ahahah
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a Poet, Satirist and Senior National & International Correspondent for Vision Newspaper
Alwin Marshall-Squire is the Editor-in-Chief of S-Q Publications Inc., overseeing editorial strategy for GTA Weekly, GTA Today, and Vision Newspaper. He leads the publications’ mission to deliver bold, original journalism focused on the people and communities of the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, and the global Caribbean diaspora.
Also writes for GTA Weekly and GTA Today.
