Whither Our Republic?

 

 

 

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

 

Are We for Real?

 

From where I sit

I do a lot of thinking,

Sometimes not very constructive

But I think we are sinking.

 

Sinking in so many ways

I am amazed

But hoping, hopefully not hopelessly

It is a passing phase.

 

Tremendous reform

Albeit in talking and planning,

Meanwhile, as far as I can see,

Little positive happening.

 

Constitution reform

And social reform,

Add to the mix education reform

And public service reform.

 

Meanwhile what has been built

Is now left to lag

And as usual, only a few

Have so-called reason to brag.

 

Partisan blindness

And mounting narcolepsy

Driven by myriad promises

And abject apathy.

 

A false sense of wellbeing

Amidst the swelling strife

Particularly among the “better off”

In their so-called better life.

 

How long I ask, how long,

Before reform takes some shape?

How much more, I ask,

Can the most vulnerable take?

 

 

Living on promises

Like a car running on fumes,

Petrol long gone from the tank

And no wriggle room.

 

Looking forward to a harvest

With the hope of trickle down

While living in a fairy tale world

Managed by clowns.

 

All schools being equal

Except for the student intake,

Some making it to paradise

Others, just to the gate.

 

Yes, all schools are equal

But some more equal than others

And the equal ones at the bottom

Causing us a bother.

 

If the schools are equal

School children where they live,

Goodness gracious, even I can see this

And my brain is a sieve.

 

A lousy attempt at zoning

And persisting with the same,

Daring to expect a different result-

Tell me, isn’t this insane?

 

 

Pecking order established

From a long time ago

And whose children will go where?

Both you and I know.

 

It bothers me a whole lot

Re our student disbursement

In which some schools are stifled

And others given entitlement.

 

And the measuring rod used

Is a single assessment

Of English and Mathematics

With questionable intent.

 

With similar courses of study

Each school must be competitive

And irrespective of student intake

Must use their initiative.

 

Top order or bottom order

It makes no difference,

They must do competitively well

At the Ministry’s insistence.

 

Those who have it

And those who clearly lack it

Must produce simultaneously

Though some ill equipped.

 

The comparisons are rife

From school to school

But to expect good results from all

Is the folly of a fool.

 

Are we for real

Expecting blood from a stone

And putting plasters on crises

That are full-blown?

 

Are we for real

Regarding the crime scene

Tapping ourselves on the shoulders

Re what should have been?

 

Because what is current

Is not the promise made

And given all the talking and planning

We have blatantly failed.

 

Tackling the problem

At the point of the outcome

But seemingly afraid to touch those

That bring in the guns.

 

Similarly with drugs;

It’s the youngster with the spliff

But drug barons and importers

Hiding in our midst.

 

Anonymous?  I doubt it

But apparently so,

But then again, if you ask me,

Who am I to know?

 

Constitution reform

Promised since Election 2022,

Haven’t been hearing much on this

Have you?

 

Are we for real

Thinking everybody is blind

And cannot see the short change

And that we’re in a bind?

 

Answer me this question

Re the most vulnerable,

Are they in any better a position

Or in more trouble?

 

Come focus with me

On the increasing poverty

Not on the international façade

That is our country.

 

From outside we are a house

Appearing freshly painted

But its occupants with hardships

Are daily acquainted.

 

Are we for real

Believing that plaster is a cure

When after many years of negligence

Maintenance was ignored.

 

It’s like in with the new

And out with the old

But the new is not quite ready

Is the story we are told.

 

So that while we await reform

What we have is dying

And the leadership pontificates

On how hard they are trying.

 

It’s like building a bridge

To be suspended in midair

With absolutely nothing to support it

But this, obviously not clear.

 

 

And the church in all this

Speaks of an apathy

That says Jesus will soon return

Hence, no need to worry.

 

Are we for real

Or is it nothing to you

Dear leaders of our fair land

What the poor are going through?

 

 

 

The T20 World Cup has come

And it is almost gone,

Come Saturday, God willing

It will be game on.

 

In just a few hours

The final will have ended,

A relative few will have benefitted

But most will be offended.

 

A few will be singing

While counting their profits

But the poor and most vulnerable

Will struggle as of habit.

 

We are in this together

Often says the PM

But her challenges are nothing

Like poor people problem.

 

Whence the next meal

The children to send school

And this is not the exception;

This is the rule.

 

Whose children are failing?

Mainly poor people’s,

The wealthy and the better off

Are not so troubled.

 

 

Are we for real?

My question to the elected,

Will you continue towards the future

The present being neglected?

 

Is it nothing to you

All you that pass by

Seemingly unaware and uncaring

When the vulnerable sigh?

Yes, you kings and queens

How about the pawns?

Will the pawns be any better off

After World Cup is gone?

 

After World Cup is Gone

Life will go on

But many will still face the night

Hoping for a dawn.

 

A dawn that is elusive

A dawn repeatedly promised,

A dawn natural to a select few

But to most a myth.

 

Stewart Russell © June 27, 2024

 

Of What Form Are You?

 

 

Not what form you’re in,

You may have long left school,

It is of what form are you,

Come on, you’re no fool.

 

Much talk is bandied around

About one form or another

And I am not sure if they know

But it is cause to bother.

 

It would be plain sailing

If we can get people to conform,

In church that seems to work,

You could say it’s the norm.

 

In certain workplaces too

When the boss is in control,

Workers are mostly compliant

And do what they are told.

 

Women are preferred to men,

They play this role well,

Men are reluctant and resistant

And do not easily gel.

 

That is one type of form

But let me hasten to the next,

Next on my short list is deform

No need to get vex.

 

None of us is perfect

But some look a little strange,

We must not frown upon them

And say they are deranged.

 

 

They are differently able

And please do not say handicapped,

They may do things differently

So assist where they lack.

 

They are not responsible

Given the challenge they face

And sometimes we need to just stop

And put ourselves in their place.

 

What if it were you, I mean,

How would you have felt

If people use such ghastly terms

And insults at you pelt?

 

Next, we come to inform:

The second most important one,

Just two more after this

And I assure you I am gone.

 

If we inculcate this one

Better decisions we will make,

We won’t go around fooling people

And then be called a fake.

 

It’s better to be informed-

A word to the pseudo wise,

You’ll help yourself and others;

No need to disguise.

 

If you live in Barbados

This form is on many a lip,

Reform of this and reform of that

I hope it’s not a trick.

 

 

 

It is education reform

And public service reform,

Everything is to be reformed-

Even Constitution reform.

We’ve bitten off quite a bit

In an effort to become first class,

But all this reform at once

Is a monumental task.

 

Like wishing and hoping

It will all fall into line,

If reform is the magician’s word,

It will happen in our mind.

 

On that I’ll say no more,

Let him who thinks, think,

I will hurry on to the next form

And be through in a wink.

 

Now for the most important:

The fifth and final one,

I have a feeling you’ve guessed it,

It is the word transform.

 

 

Transform is inside out

Unlike inform and reform,

Conform is a state of the mind

That fits in with a norm.

 

Transform is a biblical term

For the Holy Spirit’s work

Accomplished in every believer

To function in God’s church.

 

So, there you have the five,

Of what form are you?

Meditate on the following scripture

And let it shape your view.

 

Romans 12:2

 

And be not conformed to this world:

But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,

That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,

And perfect, will of God.

 

Stewart Russell © October 27, 2023

 

Simulation

 

 

We've had simulations

With lessons to learn

But never for the real thing

Have we ever yearned.

 

Except for a few

The experience they craved

And when disappointed,

They actually raved.

 

What a waste of time

To painstakingly prepare

And after all the preparation

A false alarm is declared!

 

The experts got it wrong

For yet another time

And with those pent-up emotions

We then had to unwind.

 

 

Like shouting for wolf

When no wolf is around

And making the entire population

Look like a clown.

 

Like October it’s over”

For the Atlantic storms

And these simulation exercises

Still being the norm.

 

Like today for example,

Preparing for Tammy

But who’s taking Tammy seriously?

Scarcely anybody.

 

She will be like the rest;

A promise and that is all

And in the final analysis would be,

Another wrong call.

 

Another simulation

And another waste of time,

Another building of expectation

And having to unwind.

 

 

But for me, I’d rather

Another simulation

Than experience a hurricane

With resulting destruction.

 

Of course, unlike the one

That was a recent fiasco

In which there was much fallout-

That’s a definite a no-no.

 

Let’s stop the deflecting

And face the real issue,

It is not about the simulations

But what we should do.

 

It is preparation, of course,

With goodwill intent

And not unintendedly creating

The actual event.

 

For when a simulation

Becomes the event in itself,

It’s not good for one’s emotions

Or one’s physical health.

 

 

The protocols are key

And thorough preparation

Any and every time

We do a simulation.

 

And if something goes wrong

Take responsibility

For I dare say these days

This is a rare commodity.

 

We used to pass the buck

Now there’s no buck to pass,

If this is the intent of reform

We’ll have no class.

 

Form is temporary

But class is permanent-

Let’s have simulation exercises

That are not the event.

 

Stewart Russell © October 20, 2023