TJ's Poetry Corner

DO YOU HEAR THEM?

There is a father who gets up at six
To walk to where he has houses to fix;
His job involves building, molding, laying bricks
And he ends it every day with a strong kava mix.
I hear him when he gently sighs and says,
“When will my family and I see better pays?”

There is a mother who gets up at four
To feed her kids before leaving the door.
She makes a fire, cleans and sweeps the floor,
But cries when there’s money for food no more.
I hear her when she gently sighs and says,
“Why can’t I even afford a meal these days?”

There is a parent who works till eight,
To afford and provide, they opt to stay late
Hoping their lives can have a better fate,
But they sacrifice family for that higher rate.
I hear them when they gently sigh and say,
“Will the system aid or break this highway?”

There is a girl who wakes up at five
To tend to her baby and keep her alive;
She gardens, markets, and sells to thrive,
But she has no one else to help them survive.
I hear her when she gently sighs and says,
“Will my child grow up in a better phase?”

There is a boy who wakes up at noon
To only get up for a plate and a spoon.
He was a ‘joss’ looking for a finer tune,
But struggling for a job, he joins RSE in June.
I hear him when he gently sighs and says,
“If not supported, then no one really cares?”

There is a teenager who gets up at three
To do schoolwork, hoping to one day be free.
They study hard, yearning for that degree,
But worry their parents can't meet the school fee.
I hear them when they gently sigh and say,
“Am I this country’s future or its dismay?”

There is a people who get up everyday
Struggling in rural communities for a pathway;
They look for a support system or outlay,
Hoping political leaders will help and convey.
I hear them when they gently sigh and say,
“Will tomorrow really be brighter than yesterday?”

I hear these voices and many more,
Their characters breaking me to the core.
We claim one people, one society, one nation,
But are deaf to the majority of God’s creation.
Don’t YOU hear them gently sigh and implore,
“If you fight NOT for us- the people, then what for?”

Written by Telstar Jimmy

GRANDMA, I SEE YOU

Grandma, I see you
Hovering over that fire…
Your burnt fingers do not cry,
The smoke does nothing to your eye;
The heat never does deter your why,
“As long as everyone has eaten,” you happily sigh.

Grandma, I see you
Humming to that tune…
Kastom songs from ancient times,
Many in repetition, a few in rhymes,
They tell of languages, battles, and crimes,
And of love, cultural traditions, and family lines.

Grandma, I see you
Heading that cultural dance…
Wearing loins of nature and ocean,
Singing, shrilling, wailing, in percussion,
Showing the steps, manoeuver, and motion,
In sync with drums and bamboo beating in fusion.

Grandma, I see you
Hastening to the reefs…
Knowing every tide and season,
Old fishing techniques lead you like a beacon,
Preserving, conserving, and banning for good reason,
Imparting knowledge of the seas was always your mission.

Grandma, I see you
Huddling over those crops…
Gardening was never an ordeal,
Farming so many lands for the family’s meal,
And always having a treat to satisfy their appeal.
Your resilience in natural disasters was also unreal.

Grandma, I see you
Hurrying to the village church…
Placing flowers at the altar, cleaning the dust;
Morning and afternoon services were a must.
Training your children to pray and always be just,
In God’s love and faith, you had such unwavering trust.

Grandma, I see you
Hosting those family ceremonies…
Guiding how food preps should be done,
The weaving skills of a mat, basket or fan,
Co-sharing practices and leading with the man,
And being able to name every landmark, tribe, and clan.

Grandma, I see you
Honouring your near and far…
Quietly supporting your husband,
Always offering to lend families a hand,
You owned and passed on so much of your land,
And promoted peace and respect all along the sand.

Grandma, I see you
Hustling to leave that legacy…
Three generations witnessed your integrity,
Teaching us what it means to have an identity.
You downplayed your high rank with such serenity,
But were a true role model for women on sovereignty.

******
Grandma, when I see you
No longer here with us…
Will there be one to teach like you?
To guide and instruct us on skills like you do?
Will all cultural practices remain or just a few?
How many of our traditions will still make it through?

Grandma, when I see you
No longer here with us…
And the children and I shall continue
To migrate and see development through,
We will then use these acquired skills on cue
To extend your influence on arts and culture too.

Grandma, when I see you
No longer here with me…
I promise to still teach my kids your ways,
But because of the different times and days,
I might make changes to help me build my case,
And hope that my daughters can still share in that space.

Grandma, when I see you
No longer here with me…
May I vow to keep and renew
Your Motalava and TORBA virtue,
Your ni-Vanuatu and Melanesian value,
And your inspiring legacy forever alive and true.

Written by Telstar Jimmy

THE LOCKED HEART

You were still single and serious,
Everyone thought you were notorious.
But I was at that time, one so curious;
I saw an unforbidden fruit who was anxious,
Your dangerous personality made you tenacious.

You seemed open to interpretation
So, I entered your small circle of flirtation
And enjoyed the waves of gratification.
We were so likeminded in our perception
And my heart was slowly growing in anticipation.

You turmed out to be good and kind,
One who never left a family or friend behind
And I fell for every treasure that I could find.
But somehow you were never truly mine,
There was always some history on your mind.

You would always put up a wall
Whenever there seemed to be a close call,
As if you were afraid you'd take a fall.
I tried many times to enter your heart's hall
But it was always protected, the way it stood tall.

You turned me away in the end.
I truly loved you, I did not pretend,
But my heart you never cared to mend.
It was your past you continuously upheld-
And that kept your heart locked until the very end.

Written by Telstar Jimmy

I AM A FOOL

I am a fool
For checking on you every hour
And yet, never sure if you're thinking of me too.

I am a fool
For always caring way too deeply
And expecting you to be concerned about me.

I am a fool
For allowing you to shift my emotions
And yet knowing you don't care about my feelings.

I am a fool
For always considering you my priority
And yet knowing I am just an option to you.

I am a fool
For loving you the way I do
And yet needing you to also desire me.

I am a fool
For treating you like a king
And yet hopelessly yearning to be your only queen.

I am a fool and still am a fool
For wanting what isn't mine
And imagining that this could be more.

I am a fool and will always be a fool
For living in this fantasy
And forgetting that my losses are way greater.

Written by Telstar Jimmy

YOU WERE CALLED BY MANY NAMES

Malasniwago William,
You were called by many names
For being unique, special and your strong faith in God…

Football federations called you a ‘Football Star’
For the skills, techniques and bravery
You displayed as a key player and captain of your team.

National football teams called you ‘Coach’
For the training and discipline
You bestowed as a strong mentor in their lives.

Imere villagers called you ‘Chief’
For the wise leadership and reputation
You showed as an exemplary role model.

Church communities called you ‘Pastor’
For being the founder, warrior and shepherd
You portrayed through Praise & Worship Ministry.

Many called you ‘Doctor’
For the home visits and powerful prayers
You interceded with God on behalf of their healing.

Some called you ‘Politician’
For the broad visions and plans
You had for New Nation Party and this country.

A few called you ‘Businessman’
For the ventures and companies
You then started with locals and foreigners.

Six women called you ‘Brother’
For the care, comfort and counselling
You brought as a beloved sibling to them.

Five kids called you ‘Father’
For the love, support and guidance
You installed daily in your children’s lives.

And only one called you ‘Ji nuane’
For the kindness, affection and adoration
You left as footprints in your wife’s tender heart.

But I, simple though I am…

I had the honour of calling you ‘Papa’
For the kind and encouraging smiles
That helped me overcome the challenges that I faced.

I had the privilege of calling you ‘Papa’
For the character, identity and original image
You gave as words of wisdom to live as a child of the Kingdom.

I had the benefit of calling you ‘Papa’
For the mentorship and standard of life
You continuously provided for me as my future inheritance.

I had the pride of calling you ‘Papa’
For fighting the good fight, completing the work
And I salute you for the integrity and legacy you left behind for me.

Now God calls you ‘Welcome my faithful servant’
For heaven and the angels rejoice of your return home
And I thank God for the example and standard you have set for me.

Malasniwago William,
You were called by many names
But I, simple though I am…
I loved you and called you Papa for many more reasons.

Written by Telstar Jimmy
Dedicated to my spiritual father, Ps. William Malas

SILENT FOR 40 YEARS

I’ve been silent for 40 years
My tears no one sees or hears;
I struggled with all my fears
Amidst your loud noises and cheers.

I was known to be humble
Never one to argue or grumble;
I gave you my voice to rumble
Yet you never saw how I stumble.

I was always the younger
My 5 sister provinces so much stronger;
I was the last shoot of a nabanga
Looking to you to satisfy my hunger.

I lived with you in the same town
And for 4 decades you wore the crown;
I was quiet, never one to frown
But now, need no longer be put down.

I long not for a position to accuse
Or a corrupt mind so that I can abuse;
I desire not for power to confuse
But for my people’s cries to reduce.

I ask nothing more than your choice
And a chance for my islands’ voice;
I will not make an empty promise’s noise
But pray for God’s favour with your votes.

Written by Telstar Jimmy

IN THE DARKNESS

In the storm
You are my calm
In the rain
You are my shelter
In the darkness
You are my moonlight

In the cold
You are my sunlight
In the quake
You are my strength
In the darkness
You are my moonlight

In the rough seas
You are my balance
In the strong winds
You are my comfort
In the blackest darkness
You continue to be my moonlight

Written by Telstar Jimmy

I was fine on my own
I could handle my zone.

What I had was enough
Where I was, I could laugh.
I had forgotten the hurt
And how I'd been treated like dirt.
Time had already healed me
The scars, others no longer see.

I was fine on my own
Without your face and that tone.

But then like music gone wrong
Again, you came along
And changed my whole song.

I melted at your smiles
I'd dismissed the old files;
The promises were sweet
The charms a real treat;
In your eyes, I was beautiful again...
Until you crushed me with the same old pain.

The same old lies
That seem to destroy all ties,
The same old fake
My world, you could always shake,
The same old disappearing act
Boy, you always made an impact!

What a fool I am
Waiting around like a lamb,
For a ghost who just comes and goes.
What a fool I am
Already knowing your scam
Yet still yearning for a love that always dies.

I was fine on my own
That- I should have always known.

Written by Telstar Jimmy

Hi everyone!!
My first poetry book is finally out...

selling at FJ$20 / 1,000VT
I hope you enjoy it as much as you did the poems on this page

LETTERS OF CAUTION TO OUR CHILDREN

Dear Leila,
I know you see it every day,
How the waves are rising further up the bay…
But don’t get scared, just be aware;
You can protect the sea and yourself from its scare.

Dear Vira,
I know it's not hard to be seen,
How the waters get polluted and unclean…
But don’t be alarmed, just be aware;
Any kind of rubbish should not be thrown in there.

Dear Rere,
I know you noticed things are wrong,
That the rains are getting heavier and prolong…
But don’t be afraid, just be aware;
Take heed of floods and soil erosion everywhere.

Dear Kiel,
I know you are able to observe it all,
How cyclones are getting stronger, causing such fall…
But don’t be frightened, just be aware;
Get your family together and start to prepare.

Dear Tara,
I know you are now able to realise,
How hardened soils won’t make crops grow and rise…
But don’t be sad, just be aware;
We must find ways to handle our garden affair.

Dear Moli,
I know you think little of it as you live,
Yet we need the fresh air that only trees can give…
But don’t be upset, just be aware;
We must not log and destroy our resources so rare.

So dear children,
I know you may not be too concerned,
But you must learn now and be cautioned.

Our health, our homes and our lives are in danger,
But we can still change our lifestyle and save our nature.

As the Earth gets warmer, climate change is due,
But as you adapt to save your future, you'll help others change too.

Written by Telstar Jimmy