Pon di Riverside

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Pon di riverside I ponder
Pon di riverside I pray
Jamaica is a riversong
I’ll praise her every day.

Pon di Rio Grande rafting
On water smooth and fine
Where Errol Flynn and big-shot friends
Had a rollicking good time

In Hope River Parson Bedward
Dip dem in di healing stream
Liguanea and Mona trees
Drink up to bloom and preen.

Through the Rio Cobre gorge
Bushes, rocks and fruit
Flat Bridge warn us, “Watch yuself -
Don’t test this place my youth.”

Miss Rio Minho reign supreme
Longest river in the land
She start from Dry Harbour Mountain
And end in Clarendon.

Then in St Ann, Dunn’s River
Give the world some special Falls
Where James Bond bathe in ‘Dr No’
And tourists always call.

Pon Black River we safari
See crocodile and throw line
It water the bread basket
Keep Jamaica feeling fine.

In the Cabarita River
My people fish, plant rice
That river full my granny pot
And mek me grow so nice.

Give thanks for all our rivers
Baptising us with grace
Jamaica is a riversong
We are a God-Bless place.

© Jean Lowrie-Chin
26 May 2011

Written for the inaugural 'Pon di River' Literary, Arts & Music Festival - kudos to Millicent Lynch, Janet Silvera and Dollis Campbell who pulled off a great event. Big thanks to the generous owner of Boone Hall Oasis owner/manager Stephen Jones who donated the venue and then pitched in like a lion!