Rex…
(Thoughts on Rex Nettleford)
Stature
that’s Rex
man
that’s mental muscle
child of the cane-piece
intellect… of a complete continent
Image
that’s Rex
man that’s reflecting mirror
hide all you want
you’ll still see yourself
black — as you must be
black as your are
Voice
that’s Rex
echo in your ear
sound
that’s pulsating drumbeat you dance
to the creative rhythms of your being
motivating stir
soul and spirit
that’s Rex
persuading us to rise
to shake
the shackles
of all that rattles
and retards
inside
Memory
that’s Rex
black
bold
and free
his story
rewriting our history
colour is no bar
defining the ‘smady’ we are
we’re set to achieve
what about us we believe
shanty town dwellings
never holding us back
driven as Rex
there’ll be nothing we lack
like the title of his essays
to guide and to teach
inward stretch
for greater outward reach.
— Curtis Myrie
