Nature, by H.D. Carberry
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
Comments
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
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 could visualize everything the poem was saying. Thanks for posting.