window to yesteryear

Patsy Adams has published another

collection of poems on Anguillian themes. This

slim volume, Windows to Yesteryear contains

poems about Anguilla's history, culture, and sea,

and was produced in conjunction with the

National Trust. Here is one of Patsy's poems from her

new book

Note: Jumbees

(spirits) and rum

jumbees (pedestrian alcoholics)

are now seldom

heard or seen in

Anguilla.

John Boy walkin in de night all aloneStop and look cause he hear a soft moan. Saw a baby jumbee sittin near a treeHe say, "John Boy come and keep me company.

ClickTo

advance

Long, long ago, there was thousans of us now eletric lights come an we are dispussed.

We had excellent times in de buryin grungBecause in dat place no human hang arung..

We used to trick ya parents upon de tird day After their loved one had passed away.

We would laugh and roar in our ghostly woiceAfter we see big people running away from us.

We would take funny shapes

and make spooky soundsAs soon as the evening sun went dung

We did rule Anguilla from duss till dawnThen hide in de tamarin trees at morn.

Now me oldfolks dead. Oh cuss de eletric lightNot a jumbee friend nowhere in sight.

Ah beg ya tell ya leaders, whatebber demm do Dat we is part of de enwirement too. Who could be so cruwell to stop de funOf de boys and girls after set of de sun?

Please tell dem turn off de current real fasscause I - Rum Jumbee- is one of de lass."

John Boy walkin in de night all aloneNo longer afaraid of dat jumbee soft moan.

Please tell dem to share dis PowerPoint

Showcause I - Xiby- would like to

see it go!

Where is Anguilla located?:

Anguilla is located in the Caribbean Sea, the northern most island in the

Leeward Island chain. Nearest neigbour to the

south is St. Martin, a distance of 4

miles. A ferry runs from the harbour to the Princess

Julianna Airport in Sint Maarten.For more on

Anguilla’s history click:

http://www.anguilla-vacation.com/history.htm