Linton Kwesi Johnson
Sonny's Lettah
•
Dear mama
Good day
I hope that when these few lines reach you
They may find you in the best of health
Momma, I really doun know how to tell ya dis
Caus I did mek a solemn promise
To tek care a lickle Jim
An try mi bes fi look out fi him
Mama, I really did try mi bes
But none di less
Sorry fi tell ya seh, poor lickle Jim get arrest
It was de middle a di rush hour
When everybody jus a hustle and a bustle
To go home fi dem evenin shower
Mi an Jim stan up waitin pon a bus
Not causin no fuss
When all of a sudden a police van pull up
Out jump three policemen
De whole a dem carryin baton
Dem walk straight up to me and Jim
One a dem hold on to Jim
Seh dem tekin him in
Jim tell him fi leggo a him
For him nah do nutt'n
And him nah thief, not even a button
Jim start to wriggle
De police start to giggle
Mama, mek I tell you wa dem do to Jim
Mama, mek I tell you wa dem do to him
Dem thump him in him belly and it turn to jelly
Dem lick him pon him back and him rib get pop
Dem lick him pon him head but it tough like lead
Dem kick him in the seed and it started to bleed
Mama, I jus couldn't stan up deh and do nuttin'
So mi took one in him eye and him started to cry
Me thump one in the mouth and him started to shout
Me kick one pon him shin and him started to spin
Me thump him pon the chin an him drop pon a bin
An crash, an dead
Momma, more policeman come dung
And beat me to the ground
Dem charge Jim fi sus
Dem charge mi fi murdah
Mama, doan fret
Doan get depress and downhearted
Be of good courage
Till I hear from you
I remain
Your son, Sonny