NOT FROM HERE

How do you explain "Out of Many One People"

The unusual tug-of-war between pleasance and aggression

Uptown versus downtown

Browning versus Blacknin'

Patios versus Standard English

How can I explain why...

I miss this damn place so much

Yet it seems so imperfect

Has anyone been so in love with an imperfection

Maybe obsessed, but not in love

This imperfection is one of my favourites

Perfecting it may make it better

But sometimes I like it just for what it is

Somewhat raw and at times unsophisticated,

Yet warm and genuine

That is exactly what gives it's character

It always reminds me that I have never wanted to be from here

Well I lie. I did when I was in my imperfect world as a child and thought

Wow, this place of Mattel toys and fast food must be the best place ever,

But now that I am living here in 4-monthly spurts

All i can say is that it's full of as much shit as anywhere else

And my jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, dance a road every weeknight and terrible customers service really has more to desire than I had thought

I now relish my culture.

I obsess over it

I'm proud of it

Almost willing to die for it

Mi love it cyaan dun

Why would anyone want anything else

I'm really happy I'm not from here!