My American Dream

Details

Poetry

Sunday, 28 November 2010 09:37

By SA Dixon

I hopped on a plane to catch up with this American Dream

But it escaped me.

Bolted off.                                                                       .

Not like a bull or a bear

But a large land turtle

Slipping away across the sand.

It was there, but I couldn’t grasp it.

Too bogged down by saltfish and curry

I needed something fast, from the drive-thru

To hold him by the leg.

‘cept he turned around and bit me.

One hard snap.

Not unlike a few I’ve had from my toothless granny for speaking out of turn.

But how this Dream so bitter?

Not sweet like soursop or ripe plantain.

It’s tangy, can tie up your mouth

Kill your nature like lime.

But I fear I’m addicted.

Goodbye coconut water, hello club soda

Goodbye sun, sea and sand…

Hello hot showers and clothes dryers and things that help you do more in less time.

So now you can play while you work.

But not Frisbee or catcher man

Bowling nuh, and golf

Tennis, and polo ponies

And that kind of stuff

Not your used-to-be-football-now-soccer, or cricket on the beach.

Hello American Dream

But remember

To dream this Dream you must wear dark glasses

And pretend you don’t come from nowhere, but speak good, Queen’s English

Traitors

How you know so much, dress so good, speak so intelligent-like?

Who’s the dummy?

I’m not sure

The man who abandons leisure

For subway trips and long lines spent going nowhere.

Or the one who shucks technology

To go fishing, or pick mango down the street.

You tell me.

I’m too busy.

Chasing my American Dream.

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