Have we bitten off
More than we can chew?
Regarding the state of our Republic,
What is your view?
So much in our mouth
We don’t know what to do:
Whether we should try to swallow
Or out of our mouth spew.
There is much reform
At least, the talk of it,
And many fantabulous ideas
That do not fit.
Everything divides us:
There’s little or no consensus
And even to do the simplest task
There is much fuss.
A Government by the people
For some of the people
While marginalizing the vulnerable
Climbing a slippery steeple.
An occasional handout
Rather than a hand-up
While those elected to be servants
Enjoy all the luck.
One opposition member
In our Parliament;
Making a mockery of democracy
Though not the intent.
Several bits and pieces
With segregated voice
Making us more and more susceptible
To Hobson’s choice.
The writing’s on the wall
For a third time coming
When the electorate are galvanized
For the next polling.
A lower poll is likely
With another thirty-nil,
Just thinking about the outcome
Gives me a chill.
Who will cross then
To form the opposition?
And this is of course, providing,
It’s not then forbidden.
Twice it’s been tried
With little effect
And it seems this lone member
Will be also a reject.
A Republic we are
Since twenty, twenty-two
But still no Republic Constitution
To shape the Republic’s view.
“Twas a grand idea then
With the greatest PM ever,
And the prospect of a Republic
Appeared quite clever.
Minus the Constitution
To paddle the State along,
Upon all the objections to the same
The PM frowned.
Thus, we’re still attached
To colonial apron strings
And experiencing all of the fallout
This situation brings.
Appellation is deceptive
When it is just a name
And like that Sardis church community
It becomes a shame.
They appeared to be alive
But in effect were dead
And the fact we are headed thus
Is what I dread.
Have we bitten off
More than we can chew?
Regarding the state of our Republic,
What is your view?
Punching above our weight
Was said of our Bim,
Can we still affirm this reputation
When it’s so grim?
Friends of all
And satellites of none!
Is this still our Nation’s reality
Or is it now done?
What kind of mirror image
Are we going after?
Is it some kind that will bring
Derision and laughter?
Some are already mocking
Given the state we are in
Saying, “how the mighty have fallen!”
Referring to Bim.
I call to your attention
Red Plastic Bag’s song:
I am referring to “Bim, I Love You”
And how we sang along.
When there was that pride
In doing things right
And when the leaders of Barbados
Demonstrated insight.
When industry was key
And buttressed by pride
And we could go about our business
Without having to hide.
When guns were on the TV
But not on our streets
And there were far more victories
Than recurring defeats.
Have we bitten off
More than we can chew?
Regarding the state of our Republic,
What is your view?
When the church mattered
With its Sunday school
And our several par-military groups
Were developmental tools.
When recidivism was low
And bail was nigh impossible
And a child taking another’s property
Was in serious trouble.
When the gap was wider
Between parent and child
Such that a parent’s instruction
Would not be defied.
When morals were standard
And clearly understood
And when it was not taken lightly
To spill another’s blood.
When politeness mattered
And did not seem strange
And a person saying good morning
Did not appear deranged.
When a salutation
Was fervently returned
And every one was given respect-
Not just earned.
Hence, to the stranger
And the youngest child
And to a person of a different view:
Respect, do not vilify.
Have we bitten off
More than we can chew?
Regarding the state of our Republic,
What is your view?
Stewart Russell © September 24, 2025
