Windrush

The Windrush-es past their ears,

As the ship set sails to pastures new

The Windrush steers through waters blue

Into territories where

They hoped to settle

Little knowing their

Mother land was fickle.

They had fought in wars,

And tended land,

To build the Empire

And make Britain Grand.

They jumped on the ship

With their hearts full of hope

Bringing their skills,

Their talents,

Their jokes!

They left beautiful islands

And their loved ones

For the dream of work

And fortune to be won.

Little did they know

That they were ‘unwanted’

Despite all their sacrifices

And Commonwealth pass,

This Hengland they loved

Would treat them harsh.

The cold Windrush-es past their ears,

As they land at dock

Many unwelcoming

Doors they knock.

Battling through the London Fog,

Signs saying;

No blacks,

No Irish,

No Dogs.

Applying for jobs

And getting refused.

Angry White Men

Screaming abuse.

Governments created

Environments hostile

Preferring Nazis to come work here,

Than their own rank & file.

Nevertheless, these citizens stood strong

They built the NHS, Public Transport

And roads that were long.

They worked hard

And saved money

Laid down roots

And grew family.

To the streets they brought

Melody and Bass.

To our food they added

Seasoning and taste.

They shared with us

Their swagger and style

And, in my opinion,

Improved England by miles.

And yet,

They met

Rhetoric and violence

Fuelled by hate.

They endured

Hard times

And grafted til late.

They succeeded

And contributed

to make Britain Great.

Until one day,

Years later,

They found out their fate.

Threatened with Deportation,

If papers not found

One mistake or error

And be Caribbean bound

Many were born here

Or came as a child

Their records burnt,

Nothing left on file.

No legal aid

Or health care

Despite paying tax

No media coverage

Sharing the facts.

A whole generation

Forgotten and discarded

People suffering hardship

Some sadly departed.

Rest in Peace.

Our generation must fight for the truth

We cannot afford

To be detached and aloof.

We must defend the rights

That they fought for

We must rise up

We must change the law.

The Government is taking liberties

And freedoms away,

Trying to keep OUR

Brothers and sisters at bay.

I say OUR,

Because,

We are related through LOVE

Whatever our race

Connected

By the universe above.

For OUR people,

My heart hurts,

Seeing the country THEY built

Treat them like dirt.

The Windrush-es past our ears

Because of the past

and the people’s tears.

Our freedom comes

From the sweat off their backs.

Do your research ,

Check the facts

This is OUR British History

Bad and bold.

These are OUR stories  

That need to be told.

Without them,

We would not have the Britain we know

We must rally against the racist foe.

The ruling classes

Only protect the elite.

But together

United

We would bring them defeat.

Jackie Sear 27/06/2019