From Whence the Guns

 

From whence the guns

That spill the life blood

Of the many youths of our country

In our neighbourhood?

 

Why such a mystery

Guarded with hushed tone

Spreading death across the land

From zone to zone?

 

How did we get here

Given the lot o’ talk

Mouthed by the elected authority

But lacking the walk?

 

Are there untouchables

That cannot be touched

Or are English speaking politicians

Talking Dutch?

 

 

From whence the guns

And via whom I ask,

Is the attempt to thwart police

An assigned task?

 

Is “If you see something

Say something”

To be taken seriously

Or is it just another saying?

 

Is it to make the vulnerable

Even more vulnerable

And get the same said vulnerable

Into more trouble?

 

And when I see something

And then say something,

Are those charged with doing something

Going to do anything?

 

 

I have become a skeptic

And I will tell you why:

That there is little being done

I cannot deny.

 

Many be the barking dogs

Which are chained

That are repeating the same bark

Again, and again!

 

Somebody has to know

From whence come the guns

And I don’t mean who import them-

Please don’t make fun.

 

 

Who will spot the light

On the source of this crime

And follow the advice of a calypso

About where to shine?

 

From whence the guns?

Come they not from somewhere

Or else, tell me my dear Watson,

How would they get here?

 

And by whom the guns?

Come they not by someone

Or can you tell me my dear Watson,

Are the importers gone?

 

Gone from here abouts

That they cannot be found

Or are our investigators made to look

Like bungling clowns?

 

Hats off to each calypsonian

Who, with social commentary,

Was not afraid to speak to the ills

In this country.

 

Will the authorities

Now take the lead from them

And most assiduously and fearlessly

Deal with the gun problem?

 

 

And don’t dare mention tint

Or intercepting people’s calls,

For this is a horribly failed attempt

To make fools of us all.

 

Stewart Russell © August 10, 2025

 

The Silence Is Deafening

 

 

That the silence is deafening

Is perhaps why we cannot hear,

A numbness now so accustomed to,

It’s just a momentary fear.

 

A nine-day wonderment

And this too will be forgotten

Amidst words of impressive rhetoric

From the PM and Opposition.

 

John King’s “How many more”

Chokes me one more time

As I attempt to turn this matter over

In my overworked mind.

 

All of this after we were told

By a top legal and top constabulary

We may go about our business as usual,

There's no need to worry.

 

The deflection and side stepping

Are at work again

And the real culprits are enabled

And continue to reign.

 

The whole weight comes down

On the shooter of the gun

And the police must chase the assassin

That is now on the run.

 

 

But no note of the importer

That brought in the gun,

Not one is being brought to justice:

No, not one!

 

Do you mean to tell me

Gun importers are so elusive

To evade the police intelligentsia?

Why that’s impressive!

 

Flying below police radar

Or better still, high up above,

These operators can’t be apprehended

For money or for love.

 

Another one bites the dust!

This time, a thirteen-year-old

And mere sentiment is poured out

O’er his body cold.

 

Why wasn’t he at home

Preparing for school?

Did they not know this is an area

Where illegal guns rule?

 

Why of everybody out there

He was the only one shot?

It’s as though this aspiring schoolboy

Was central to some plot.

 

Come on right thinking bajans

Do not cloud up the issue,

Those that are ultimately responsible

Are not the shooting youth.

 

 

But people in high places

Like in politics or commerce

Where the dollar sign is the bottom line

And after which some thirst.

 

One top cop iterated

It is through legitimate ports

Yet none of these illusive importers

Come before our courts.

 

Target the gun importers

And make it difficult for them,

Deal with the symptoms for sure

But also, the problem.

 

 

 

And when they are discovered

Do not cover up the info,

Regardless of profile or prominence

John public needs to know.

 

So that this youth’s demise

And the several gone before

Would be remembered as the catalyst

That shut the gun import door.

 

For the silence is deafening

And our youth are dying

And the importers of the damnable guns

Are the only ones thriving.

 

Stewart Russell © March 27, 2025