The poem, Nature, is probably the best known poem by H.D. Carberry. For me, the poem brings back many pleasant memories of my primary school days, and reminds me of the beauty of my homeland, Jamaica. Many Jamaican school children had to learn and recite this poem, and perhaps it is still being taught in schools (at least I hope so).
Nature captures so beautifully the tropical paradise that Jamaica is, and speaks of its varied flora, and the way in which rain is experienced there. Enjoy!
Nature
We have neither summer nor winter
neither autumn nor spring.
We have instead the days
when the gold sun shines
on the lush canefields - magnificently.
The days when the rain beats
like bullets on the roofs
and there is no sound
but the swish of water in the gullies
and trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds.
Also there are the days
when leaves fade from off guango trees
and the reaped canefields
lie bare and fallow to the sun.
But best of all, there are the days
when the mango and the logwood blossom
When bushes are full of the sound of bees
and the scent of honey.
When the tall grass sways and shivers
to the slightest breath of air.
When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars
and beauty comes suddenly, and the rains have gone.
Nature captures so beautifully the tropical paradise that Jamaica is, and speaks of its varied flora, and the way in which rain is experienced there. Enjoy!
Nature
We have neither summer nor winter
neither autumn nor spring.
We have instead the days
when the gold sun shines
on the lush canefields - magnificently.
The days when the rain beats
like bullets on the roofs
and there is no sound
but the swish of water in the gullies
and trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds.
Also there are the days
when leaves fade from off guango trees
and the reaped canefields
lie bare and fallow to the sun.
But best of all, there are the days
when the mango and the logwood blossom
When bushes are full of the sound of bees
and the scent of honey.
When the tall grass sways and shivers
to the slightest breath of air.
When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars
and beauty comes suddenly, and the rains have gone.
Beautiful Fern Gully in St. Ann, Jamaica
17 comments:
(AL Robinson) _MELLO FM..
It is midnight and just came from work. I am in Jamaica where i live and was just reflecting on school days. I heard the rain and lightening from a thunder storm which is now going on outside. My mind then reflect on NATURE by HD CARBERRY. i haven’t heard it from i left primary school in 1980.
That poem was in our school book and was always recited in grade 5 when i was 10. Great job to those that put it on line. Thanks on behalf of my classmates that were in primary school in Jamaica in 1978 at age 10. i can hear the big dramatic MAGNIFICENTLY, by everyone. Tremendous memories. Again, thanks.
Reply
Hi Al,
Thanks for your comment. Nature by HD Carberry is one of my all time favorite Caribbean poems. It is so soothing and vividly captures the Jamaican climate, and rain in particular.
Glad the poem brings back pleasant memories for you.
Regards,
Yasmin
I am from St. Lucia and growing up this was my favourite poem of all time. I could identify with the poem because we share the same climate. Magnificent poem!!!!
Laurianus, thanks for your comment. I absolutely love this poem too. We had to recite it a lot in school when I was growing up in the Caribbean too.
Aaaawww, such fond memories brought back by this Poem!
Someone just posted pictures of a retreat along the Rio Grande that reminded me of this poem. I couldn't remember the words except for how beautifully we chorused "MAAAGGNIFENCTLY!". I got it confused with The Song of A Banana Man for a bit, then I googled "Jamaican Poetry Magnificently." Thanks for sharing! I am realising now that he is the father of an Internal Specialist I would often see in Mandeville, Christine Carberry.
Dee, such fond memories indeed! Thanks for visiting the blog and sharing your comments. I think that the poem Nature, will always rank among my top 5 poems, along with Bedspread, by Lorna Goodison.
Unknown (I wish you had left your name so that I would not have to use Unknown), thanks for sharing your comments on Carberry's poem, Nature. I too remember how we used to drag out the "MAAAGNIFICENTLY" in the poem when we recited it for our teacher in primary school. Oh, the memories. I also remember The Song of a Banana Man. Caribbean poetry is so vibrant! Hope you will check out the blog again, and if you write poems, please feel free to share.
My son was telling me how our colonial masters tricked us in believing that we experienced the four seasons in the Caribbean and Jamaica in particular....So I shared with him this poem by H.D Carberry "Nature"He was not convinced because he didnt learned it in school......
I attended John Mills All Age in Jamaica, in the 80s. Saying 'MAGNIFICENTLY' was one of our favorite parts. This has been a great poem, even though we as students were punished to get it right.
I attended John Mills All Age in Jamaica, in the 80s. Saying 'MAGNIFICENTLY' was one of our favorite parts. This has been a great poem, even though we as students were punished to get it right.
Similarly, I recall reciting this poem in primaryn school during the 80's. I always enjoyed saying "magnificently!" My grade 4 teacher was the best. Those were good days.
I could visualize everything the poem was saying. Thanks for posting.
Yes, I remember having to recite this poem in primary school too and how the teachers wanted us to stress "magnificently". Regarding the four seasons, Jamaica only has rainy and dry seasons, with mostly sunshine all year long.
I am from 🇯🇲 this poem was in our reading book. Whenever it's reading test for exams. We would have to recite it. I love this poem dearly after 40 plus years and living I'm the USA I still reflect on it. Thanks for posting and for all the comments
Thanks for your comment. It is by far one of my favorite poems.
I too have fond memories of reciting this poem in Primary School. My grade 6 teacher, Mrs. Carmen Reynolds, Black River Primary School, was one of the best ever.
Sharon, thanks so much for your comment on this very special poem. Interestingly, my mother attended Black River Primary School. At the time, her teacher was Mrs. Ashburn, mother of the famous musician, Peter Ashburn. Best wishes
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