Other Side of the Blade

 

In bloom, the sun sends showers of blessings.

Bitching at sixty-five degrees Celsius,

Whilst, postponed cumulonimbus, cry elsewhere.

These distant sounds, smuggled, by a rouge wind.

 

Flailing harshly in vex breeze,

A JLP flag testifies no rain blanket. Only a spiteful sun.

The accomplice; a selfish blue not bright enough for eyes.

Against a rigid lightpost, they stand.

The middle finger to earth quakes long forgotten.

Reviews

[Jason Henry]

loool nice one! that's why i dont vote...sun too damn hot even near "winter" if jamaica even really has one. (i like to think they do...)
anyways, this is a really great write for jamaicans alone sadly cause i highly doubt anyone else outside the caribbean will get it. but everyone can certainly fall in love with your description, imagery...its soo vivid for me! even though you cant catch me voting ever! nevertheless, a really captivating piece! this is the kind of stuff they should put in caribbean poetry books!

[Emily B]

Many years ago, I wandered off to college and found myself employed by a Guyanese-born English professor and type-setting "the Journal of Caribbean Studies". Now that I am an old woman, I wish I remember more of the things he tried to teach me.

[Jonhoi Vaughn]

Sorry for being late in explaining the the terms in "Other Side of the Blade". This poem puts Jamaican politics on the spotlight. JLP stands for Jamaica Labour Party. As for the "spiteful sun", this refers to the PNP (People's National Party), the sun is in fact the symbol displayed on their flag. The blue refers to the NDM (National Democratic Movement). However, the JLP and the PNP have since existence taken up 99% of all votes, although the NDM is quite reputable. Due to the fact that they are amongst three other political parties who share the remaining 1% of Jamaican votes, I simply referred to them as, "not bright enough for eyes". I hope that helps with understanding the message of the poem. TO truly understand what the poem speaks about I would suggest "Google-ing" the topic, "Jamaican Politics" or you could visit www.jis.gov.jm. Thanks for reading ^_^

[Brett Campaigne]

This poem is jam packed with ominous metaphors, and cleverly inverted expectations... at once visually and ideally revelatory. What is a JLP flag though?

[vindictivesunshine]

"A JLP flag testifies no rain blanket. Only a spiteful sun." definately a different take on a familiar topic. A really unique eye for weaving your words. Start to finish, great work.