Maroc - NEWSDAY.CO.TT - A la Une - 14/Dec 04:33

Trini Christmas is de Best

THE EDITOR: I submit this piece titled Trini Christmas is de Best, a cheerful piece during a despondent time for our nation. You know is Christmas time when the air does get a nip in late November or the first week in December Right after Divali, all dem radio station start playing parang soca and chutney parang De best blends to ring in the season Blaring from store-front boom boxes and car radios Have everyone’s feet shuffling and head nodding to the catchy tunes With businesses booming at biggest sales promotions Is ah win-win for everyone in town All the school children rubbing their hands in glee Worries for test marks forgotten Who’s naughty and who’s nice…a thing of the past Is online shopping…no cuta--- New phones, tabs and drones The finance minister bawling about the forex spending But then again it’s the multiplying effect for the economy And doh talk about the trimmings, turkey and ham Line for so in the grocery when payday comes Especially if you get a Christmas bonus Then expect nothing less than consumerism stress You have to be prepared...food is an essential and so is gift-giving Opportunity cost is not to be entertained because it is in vain to reason in this season From home decor to lawn aesthetics Christmas lights, trees, mats, beds, couch sets and painting The house and yard must look de best with all new things As yuh know family does come ah knockin So that pantry does be bulkier than me Doh laugh eh If they designate an extra room to prepare It’s the only season where I see wrongs forgotten And new leaf turnovers Moving faster than having Christmas dinner leftovers And…talking about Christmas dinner Ohh la, la...that lengthy menu does gives me a shiver Of delight that is… Because I can’t fumble when my tummy gives a rumble My mama doh play nice, she does come out to entice Is glazed ham, callaloo, curry duck, pastelle, home-made hops and bread too Baked chicken, stuffing and pork with chow chow and lime pepper sauce Potato salad, Christmas rice and dhalpouri To be washed down with chilled sorrel, ginger-beer, eggnog and mauby And my oh my Daddy take win with coconut drops, paime, black fruitcake and sweet bread My weight gain have the bathroom scale feeling more dread but "Is better belly bust than good food go to waste" I ain’t go lie…my family sure know eating pace In all honesty, nothing can compare To what matters most A time for reverence, reset and reflection Charity of self An enduring gift to you and your community Given freely, holds far greater meaning to humanity So pause, be thankful, hopeful and joyful Trini Christmas is de best only with forgiveness and togetherness and that’s no jest DAVI RAMKALLAWAN Chaguanas The post Trini Christmas is de Best appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.