´óÏó´«Ã½

Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze performs her celebrated ‘Simple Tings’ poem and talks about its origins.

simple tings
by Jean 'Binta' Breeze

(for Miss Adlyn and Aunt Vida)

de simple tings of life, mi dear
de simple tings of life
she rocked the rhythms in her chair
brushed a hand across her hair
miles of travel in her stare
de simple tings of life
ah hoe mi corn
an de backache gone
plant mi peas
arthritis ease
de simple tings of life
leaning back
she wiped an eye
read the rain signs
in the sky
evening’s ashes
in a fireside
de simple tings of life

From: Third World Girl (Bloodaxe Books, 2011)