Wrong Move My Friend

 

 

We write our names on history’s page

With expectations great,

Does that still apply? I dare to ask,

Considering the nonsense here of late.

 

In the face of peril, we may panic,

That is mostly understood,

But when we behave with gay abandon

We can expect nothing good.

 

Barbados is fortunate; this is no doubt

The mercies and blessings of God,

But this persistence in tempting the Lord

Is not a sensible call.

 

God is a bajan, I have heard that,

And no doubt you have heard it too

But to make light of His mercies and blessings

Is to adopt a myopic view.

 

God is no more a bajan than he is a trini

No more a bajan than a vincie,

He is no more a bajan than he is a lucian

He is responsible for every country.

 

 

Laws are put in place that we should obey

Or experience the consequence,

Be they laws of nature or of our land,

They are from the Almighty sent.

 

This disregard by some for the civil law,

Especially in these unforgiving times

Will cost you and me such a hefty price,

It will more than blow our minds.

 

A straightforward thing like staying at home

Unless it is absolutely necessary

Is proving for some an impossible task

And exacerbating this calamity.

  

We would all like to see the back of it

While our behavior says, welcome to our shores,

And, unless we discontinue our reckless ways

It will be with us for a while more.

 

 

The Government and the Ministry of Health

Has been trying its utmost best,

And with every single behavior modifier

Still a few have been daring to test.

 

Jogging on the streets, wheelies on the highway,

For them, it is business as usual,

I truly believe that the time has come

That the law should treat to such like criminals.

 

When people persist in flouting the law

Then the law has no other recourse

Than to make an example of such deviants

And send the message it will be enforced.

 

 

It is a wrong move, my friend, let’s get it right,

Not only the offender is involved

But also, those with whom he is in contact

Makes the issue that more difficult to resolve.

 

You must go, if you definitely have to go,

Otherwise, please stay at home,

It is a wrong move, my friend, if you don’t have to

And you are just going out to roam.

 

Doing all that the authorities advise

Is the least that any of us can do,

To weather this storm and protect health and lives

I will conform, will you?

 

Stewart Russell © April 2020