HAVE WE LOST THE GOOD TIMES FOREVER

[Norman Datt]

A foreigner would have no clue
Looking at me and yes you too
For our very beautiful land would mesmerize them
But reaching Georgetown they would see a problem
Should they not ever go to Georgetown
And think we still worship the Crown
Guyana would be in their good books
Still steeped in hospitality and good looks
And visiting the villages in the country side
Or walking on the seawall by the waterside
They would hear the happy banter of Guyanese
With both major races trying to live with ease
Kids of all races playing together
At school in foul and fair weather
People planting reaping and some sowing
Neighbours quarreling then back to loving
Chatting in patwa and musical cacophony
With an admixture of country and chatney
There is no fighting as stated in the newspaper
What is all the fuss about everything is kosher
And the little man said to the foreigner quietly
Mister Come  Election time then you will see
And there lies the problem with good old Guyana
The once sought after El Dorado of South America
The only country rich in the English language
Between Brazil and Venezuela like a sandwich
Even Sir Walter Raleigh visited Guyana
Searching for the Golden city of Manoa
Jagan and Burnham gave us Independence
The cold war politics kept us in suspense
Then came Jagdeo whom we thought was good man
He turned out to be an opportunist not a good fan
Enter President Ramoutar to right the wrongs
But we are still hearing the same old songs
In between the two parties the Guyanese are caught
It become worse when one side shouts apanjahaat
As our leaders trying  to keep a sane balance
Refusing to cooperate for shared governance
So far the darn two party system have failed
Left us in awe when bad facts are unveiled
Can’t produce a cohesive society
Then they ran away like banshee
They start out with good intentions
Listened to the peoples’ contentions
But got weak in the knees succumbed
And their little brains got benumbed
Their main produce being nepotism and corruption
Stashing away millions and wasting many a billion
The freedom being independent is a disappointment
Leaders with no decorum suffering from an ailment
We threw off the colonial shackle
Instead of building a strong tackle
To call our bleddy own brand
We bury our heads in the sand
As the littleman  is now an aimless man
Knowing not where to turn even if he can
Whom to trust or who is hiding the truths
Left with a land of unemployed lost youths
Being pulled into a quagmire
Making him feel like a pismire
The real Guyanese is now a man very lost
He just wanted to live in peace at any cost
And he gazes above and wonder
Cease being a blamer now a boozer
Lord how much more can I stand my friend
And he wondered loudly when would it end
If perchance you go by the eroding seawall
He is there looking out wondering with a pal
And the foreigner passed by asking
What’s wrong with these Guyanese people
No husbandry for such a beautiful country?


nd...@rogers.com