Dear LPG readers, 

Isn’t it funny how our values alter as we grow up.  Many of those little gems of wisdom that our mothers and fathers tried their best to instil in us long, long ago get lost along the way.  But they seem to reintroduce themselves some time later, perhaps years down the road of life, and so subtly that we forget how they found themselves deep in our subconscious, only to resurface after all this time.  

Perhaps it is when speaking to a child and being aware of the innocent and honest way they understand what you are trying to say, which keeps the few bits of those first and basic lessons popping up.   

The thoughts so often get camouflaged and mixed up with all the other thoughts and notions that we have to contend with throughout life, but perhaps our deeds unknowingly reflect those very important values.  

I think that this is exactly where the inspiration for this poem is rooted… 



MY CHILDHOOD DAYS 


Whenever I do a kindly deed, 
I think of long ago; 
When my dear Mother told me: 
“Child, be careful what you sow. 
For each little deed of kindness, 
Will help an awful lot; 
You’ll reap good health and happiness, 
So do remember that.” 

And so, we shared what little things, 
Good fortune had bestowed; 
A dollar or a nickel – and, 
The blessings overflowed. 
Sometimes we gave free labour, 
By helping those in need; 
A sick and helpless neighbour, 
Or, an orphan kid. 

Sharing whatever we possessed, 
Over fifty years ago; 
Was just our way of making sure, 
That precious seeds would grow. 
We gave our tithes and offerings, 
We went to church – we prayed! 
That was how we Jamaicans, 
Lived in our days. 


Script Ref: Proverbs 22:6 

©2000 by Beverly Gooden Wilson