‘Yes me friend

We deh a street again.
Yes me friend (me good friend)
Dem seh we’re free again
The bars could not hold me
Or could not control me now
They tried to keep me down…yea
But Jah wants I around.
Yes I’ve been accused many a times
And wrongfully abused…now
But through the powers of the MOST HIGH
They’ve got to turn me loose…….
‘Duppy Conqueror’ – Bob Marley
It’s been good to be back home. It’s not an easy road here. Some see the glamour and the glitter and think it’s a bed of roses. It’s been good to be back just to see your smiling faces, listen to your querying voices. Yes, it is good to be back home.
Guyana is unique; all of it; every person, every home; every grass; every stone; even politicians are not alone in claim of fame to mark a spot in history. Sometimes happy thoughts foretell impending misery; so let it be. For Guyana is unique. All 83,000 square miles of tropical green; majestic mountains; luscious valleys and dreams; the grandeur of Kaiete such scenery that turempted the greed of Sir Walter Raleigh. We’re still fighting to be free.
Freedom is more than a word. Freedom is claimed by some to be man’s birthright. Also in the name of freedom very many atrocities have been committed.
In the poem, ‘TALK TO ME’ and dedicated to the memory of Walter Rodney, I was inspired to write, Talk to me of 77 & 78 and the politics of greed, that breeded hate, and the concept of Freedom that sealed Walter’s fate…

FREEDOM & MARTYRDOM
To celebrate Freedom is one thing but to appreciate it is another. Without a knowledge of the horrors of captivity there can be no real understanding of the imperative of Freedom. In Guyana there is a continuing culture of martyrdom. Rodney died and Ronald Waddell died as did Courtney Crum-Ewing. One cannot forget George Bacchus, the three protestors at Linden and there are more. In Essequibo during the 19th century Damon was martyred and Quamina was yet another. But we will continue to celebrate. We must celebrate the history and its significance to the present; it’s influence on the future; it’s importance for the perpetuation of life.
Yes it is good to be back, to be among the hustling throngs of humanity on any street and every avenue. It’s a pleasure to be stopped by old and young to exchange pleasantries and listen to concerns. It’s good to once more enjoy a celebration of Emancipation and my Earthday on the same day. Sure I’ve lost a lot. At present a crookish friend is trying to deny me ownership of US $831,745 plus the meche, meche cents but I have ways of dealing with him. I have lost family and a few good friends but that is not the way my story will end. Many others were not as fortunate as I. I am Rastafari and that means ‘iternal love’. I am Rastafari so judge I not by your own goals and premises.
Guyana is love but it is the love of the common people. The high rise buildings and fancy cars and living cannot control me or hold me down. Emancipation is of the mind, an embryo of the spirit, a manifestation of endurance and will power. Too many are still entrapped in mental slavery but we know that even garments of African culture cannot dress the naked truth. 1st of August is an auspicious day. It is the people’s day. Enjoyment does not require dancing and drinking. It requires peace of mind and contentment of spirit. 1st of August is my special day that will last all year round. I will share it with you, you who have also suffered and still suffer and I say STAND FIRM be a DUPPY CONQUEROR.

Yes me friend
We deh a street again
Yes me friend(me good friend)
Dem seh we free again
The bars could not hold me
Or could not control me.. now…………..Brother Bob

By Ras Michael