John Agard, "Mek Four"

English 165CL: Caribbean Literature (Winter 2002)
Department of English
University of California, Santa Barbara

Who seh West Indian creole
is not a language of love?
Well I tell you . . .

When me and she eye
mek four
negative vibration
walk out de door

when me and she eye
mek four
tenderness was a guest
that didn't need invitation

when me and she eye
mek four
the world was neither
more or less
but a moment of rightness

we tongue locked
in a syntax of yes

John Agard, "Pan Recipe"

First rape a people
simmer for centuries

bring memories to a boil
foil voice of drum

add pinch of pain
to rain of rage

stifle drum again
then mix strains of blood

over slow fire
watch fever grow

till energy burst
with rhythm thirst

cut bamboo and cure
whip well like hell

stir sound from dustbin
pound handful biscuit tin

cover down in shanty town
and leave mixture alone

when ready will explode