A Mosquito Bit Me, and Sang

A mosquito bit me
While I was by the palm trees

Where the sea is aquamarine
And the people are serene

Where time seems to slow down 

With the coconut trees swaying
And the music never stops playing

Where painted buses drive by 
With a click-and-clack of babies and women 

And those goats you saw?
They would be cared for with mercy

And tonight’s fish is salted 
by your grandfather’s neighbors cousins’ friend

You wave at the boys
Playing football on the streets 

and the lady carrying fruit
and the 100 year old man 

(yes, he’s still alive)
Who stops to say,

with a toothless grin,
akeyi zanmi

A chair is brought over
And family stop to sit

And ushers to you with a, 
Cousine! Chita no?

With a plate of rice and beans
And fritay and cola lakay

And your best kreyol
You say, merci

You know the happiness 
That is so often talked about
When your feet hits the ground
Of the motherland

A mosquito bit me, and sang
“Welcome back, cheri”

How does "coming home"
invoke awe?
TELL US IN THE COMMENTS.

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DEENAH JACQUES is a poet and entrepreneur who seeks to unleash and challenge the curiosity and wonder inside of us all. Connect with Deenah at deenah.substack.com.