The Best Thing That Happened To Me
Joy Roxborough writes a reflection of life's experience by one, or many, of those who came alone by sea from their Caribbean home on Empire Windrush ..... and met the love of their life ........ and the challenges those in mixed marriages faced.
The Best Thing That Happened To Me
What a sight - for almost a month!
Just sea and sky; sky and sea,
Sailing the Windrush to the Motherland
Surrounded with people like me
All looking for a better life
Hopeful years stretching ahead
In this land of promise and plenty
Just like the advert said.
We finally docked at Tilbury
And oh my! What a sight!
My feet touched down on British soil
But I would soon be in for a fright.
From out of the Clapham Shelter
We went our separate ways;
I soon missed the friendly faces
And I froze under the hostile gaze
Of people who were different from me
And didn’t want me here;
And certainly not in their houses
They made that very clear!
No blacks - No dogs - No Irish
That’s what so many signs all said;
So when I ask to marry Jack’s daughter
I think he was going drop down dead!
Thinking about it now
I could of choose an easier route
Instead of this one where you family
All think of me as a brute.
Yes, that black bastard they call me
Who tell you to bring him here?
What next? A black bastard pickney?
I think that was their biggest fear.
I know you had it rough too
Your family throw you out;
Tell you to choose between me and them
What was that all about?
I wouldn’t have been vex if you choose them
After all, what did I have to give?
I couldn’t even offer you
Somewhere decent to live.
But you choose me nonetheless
And how could I refuse?
Your sweet smile was the most welcome thing
Amidst all the abuse.
And you stand at my side, took all the insults
As we walked from door to door
No one was willing to rent us a place
And when I couldn’t stand it no more—
You said, ‘Don’t give up! Never you give in
‘To the bigotry and hatred and spite.’
And you squeezed my hand, wouldn’t let go
As I remember, we walk nearly all night.
Till a little old lady, I thought she was blind,
Said, ‘Why, do come on inside.’
‘Sit by the fire, I’ll brew us some tea.’
Her heart was open wide.
Turns out she herself was Irish
Called us her son and daughter
And loved our little bairns
Before you even broke your water.
And through all these years
Sixty in total — our Diamond Jubilee,
After boarding that ship and sailing here
You’re the best thing that happened to me.
Joy writes in English and Jamaican, or sometimes in a mixture of both - just like Jamaicans do. Designed to be performed, the way this poem is written refleccts this.
