02/06/2020
Brixton Prison,
Jeb Avenue,
London South West 2,
Inglan.
Dear Mama,
Good day.
I hope that when these few lines reach you
They may find you in the best of health.
Mama, I really doan know how to tell you dis
Cos I did mek a solemn promise
To tek care a lickle Jim
An try mi bes fi look out fi him.
Mama, I really did try mi bes
But none di less
Mi sorry fi tell ya seh, poor lickle Jim get arress
It was de miggle a di rush hour
When hevrybody jus a hustle and a bustle
Fi go home fi dem evenin shower.
Me an Jim stand up waitin pon a bus,
Not causing no fuss,
When all of a sudden a police van pull up.
Out jump tree policeman
All a dem carryin baton.
Dem walk straight up to me and Jim.
One a dem hold on to Jim
Say him tekin him in.
Jim tell him to let go a him
For him nah do nutt'n.
"I'm nah tief, not even a but'n"
Jim start to wriggle,
The police start to giggle.
Mama, mek I tell you what dem do to Jim.
Mama, mek I tell you what dem do to him.
Dem thump him in him belly, and it turn to jelly.
Dem lick him pon him back, and him rib get pop.
Dem lick him pon him head but it tough like lead.
Dem kick him in him seed, and it started to bleed.
Mama, I just couldn't stand up deh and do nuttin.
So me jook one in him eye and him started to cry.
Me thump one in the mouth and him started to shout.
Me kick one pon him shin an him started to spin.
Me pump him pon him chin an him drop on a bin
And crash,
And dead.
Mama, more policman come down
And beat me to the ground.
Dem charge Jim fi sus,
Dem charge me fi murdah.
Mama, doan fret.
Doan get depress an downhearted.
Be of good courage.
Till I hear from you,
I remain,
Your son,
Sonny.
Linton Kwesi Johnson
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