SONG of THE UNKNOWN

i see an unmarked grave
too close to potter's field
pluckin' wind on old blake's banjo
no stone to carry a name
just dirt and cold cement
jumpin', clappin', stompin' feet
stringin' vine on Johny's guitar
rollin' an' gyratin' , twistin' air an' turnin'
as old rhythmic beats settles dust
on shirley's jazzy shoes
dancin' into the centre of the world
earth belchin' out a belly full o' laugh
comin' down like a lightnin' bolt...
deep down Winston's well of words
throwin' up hand and suckin' teet like Vivica
sirens callin' classic psalms
from Clement, Sean and Hubert
lost in a solitude of sea
sittin' still while piono man
lands velvet stokes on ivory keys
waves throwin' back a tune or two
siftin' coral sand in calypsos, Bach
and steel pan junk
all mix-up in broad, wide smiles
an' drinkin', plenty drinkin' goin' on
breakin' shore while spinnin' old -time stories
thick long fins an' shark skin tales
spankin' down hard on old box guitars
like Tony down in Tea Bay
an' 'round the corner in Dog Flea alley
layin' licks on the goat skin drum
sittin' back tappin' on a rusty tin cup
thunder claps a bean filled marraca
all for the unnamed song,
in an unnamed band
shoutin' loud enough to hold my cry
tears droppin' in a rusty bucket
fallin' down a deep, deep well
do we know your name
walkin' down this lonely wharf
laughter bubblin' out the ocean
music- makin' clankin'
hearin' weapin' spirits cry out
our hallowed song
seapin' from generations gone
do you remember, do you recall?
sittin' pretty an' proud..
sowin' fabric and stitchin' thatch
or mashin' grains of guinea corn
Under the silk cotton tree,
in the bush, In the church yard
in saloon bars talkin' 'till early light
this is for the unknown poet
and many,many more
Speakin' more than words -
... keepin' us alive
All gone, some still here
black and white and brown
far too many all proud to be me
celebrating us - not for gold
but love overflowing heart
will we see the light of your name
cast you in marble...
framed from our story