When Rose vex‚ she only pelting stone at de house —Bim! Up in de mango tree with she bloomers to de wind

Mummy cyaan reach she‚ so instead must chase Ann Who run bawling‚ “Oh Jesus!” and get licks for that!

Ann run under de house‚ Mummy now looking fuh switch and bawling fuh Christ like de two-facey she is From next door come Granny like corbeau to de scene In patois squawking‚ “S’ak passe? Ou couté la fille?”

Mummy commence to take on Granny‚ cussing fuh so‚ interfere with she life and she child like one mako.

Ann run to de tree‚ cry‚ “Rose! Jesus! Please!” But Rose‚ she eyes wild‚ pulling a mango free

Daddy‚ rum drunk in de parlor‚ now start to rouse by dese women and children bawling round he house

“One set a ladiablesse in de blasted yard! Can’t a man get some —” Rose throw de mango hard!

Daddy slip on a rock-stone she pelt on de steps — Mummy‚ Granny‚ sucking teeth in one long stchupsss — Ann still bawling‚ begging‚ “Rose stop it please!” Then mango fall‚Daddy fall‚ eight eyes turn — Peace.

Poem by Erica Dole

--------------------------------------------------