Numbers, numbers, numbers numb the brain.
Lotto, Pick 3, Pick 5, Drop Pan, Cash Pot. What de new one name again?
Every day a new, exciting game.
Numbers, numbers, numbers numb the brain.
Work? Who, me, man? No sah! Dat is foolishness.
Work fe what? Couple dollar? And me haffi sweat and pain up?
Cho man. Work is fe de losers. Me never haffi think or toil.
Me can dream and match de dream wid numbers.
Short likkle walk to de nearest shop wid de pretty sign outside.
T'row down few twenties, choose me birt'date, me mudda phone number, all me pickney age.
Tek few drink wid me fren' as we wait fi de draw.
Numbers, numbers, numbers numb the brain.
Look Mass Joe a dig him field.
What him get from it? Few rotten yam, some quail-up cabbage.
Carry dem a market, siddung all day a wait fi de customer dem.
Watch Mary walk six mile a sun hot, catch de bus to town,
slave all day a wash somebody dutty clothes.
End a week de money ca'an even sen she pickney a school.
Numbers, numbers, numbers numb the brain.
That may be true.
But look at me furniture, me fridge, me television.
You think is work give me that? Think again, b'woy! Is numbers do it!
Numbers, numbers, numbers numb the brain.
So what? Me don't need no brain!
Just numbers -- and a little luck!
Great analogy of the gambling game. We also have that going down here in Mexico and it is for all to go and feel they will become richer but in the process the majority lose their shirts. Great writing Jean. I enjoyed that dialect. Zochitl
Jamaica Jane, how nice to hear from you again. Numbers do numb when not tied to reality in a meaningful way. I like your ironic voice, and the dialect too. It has been said that gambling is a tax on people that are bad at math. It's one vice that never held much appeal to me, but it does seem to have it's victims. I remember going to card rooms in San Jose (don't ask why) and seeing grey faced men and women who never left the room, not for days, til the money was gone. Great poem, Jane.
Great poem Jane! I like the dialect as well. Gambling around here makes poor folk destitute, brings hookers in RV's in the casino parking lots, and folk signing over their houses, cars, etc. Not positive in my personal opinion.
Seems the idea of wealth without work exists the world over.
Great to see your words again!
Sherri
You write the dialect so well, Jane! It has to be said aloud to enjoy the full impact. And gambling? No thank you!
Thank you for sharing with us!
Cali
................neat story in a poem Jane. You have helped to educate "summa us up her". Too cool......
...........hey, if I was able to travel to your country, can you show me great places to scuba dive?....
Clever poem, Jane. I enjoyed it. And it's so true.
