It Tint Right

 

 

Do you see the ambiguity

In this poem’s title?

Take a little time and study it,

It might be vital.

 

Tint is very topical

In Barbados these days

And is currently being connected

To crime in some ways.

 

Especially dark tint

Re vehicles involved

Making it extraordinaryly difficult

For crimes to be solved.

 

Placing police at risk

When they enact a pull-over

Since the cops can’t clearly see

The vehicle’s driver.

 

It tint right, says the AG

Or fair to the cops

And this heavy tint on a vehicle

Must be stopped.

 

 

We now have equipment

To test if it tint right

And whether it legally facilitates

Adequate light.

 

"It tint right"

Say those using the tint

Contrary to the Attorney General

Who sees a crime link.

 

"It tint right"

Bringing such a law,

That it is for some and not all

Tells me it is flawed.

 

There is no limit

For the high-up authority

But a whopping $500.00 fine

For the poor and lowly.

 

Suggesting to me

Crime is linked to the poor

And the high-up and better off

Do crime no more.

 

 

However dark their tint,

"It tint right"

But for poor people to do similar

"It tint right".

 

Inflection and intonation

Are not in print

But "it tint right" spoken correctly

Will be distinct.

 

If we say, it tint right;

We know what we mean

But if we tell you de car tint right,

The job is clean.

 

Whose "tint right", I ask,

Will win the day?

Looks like the Attorney General

Will have his way.

 

"It tint right"

Meaning the job is great

Versus "it tint right" as in unfair

Is poor people's fate. 

 

 

Add another $10.00

Every day the tint is on,

This will work the police harder

From dawn till dawn.

 

Stewart Russell © June 10, 2025