The death of the young By:©Saccheen Laing I put on my uniform Armed with books I set out in search of a good education. Streets lined with the blood stains of those who fell on the way  I'm determined to live to see another day But I have no control over those who believe they can have their own way. Armed with guns and knives  They attack me, They assault me, They abuse me , Because they believe they have control over me Because of guns and knives in hand. In my hands I write my plans A singer, an actor, a doctor, a fashion designer or a police man  I clench my fist as my blood runs to join those who fell before  My plans remain in my hands Never to be realized I am young but that means nothing on this land. The blood of the young will replace the ocean that surrounds and beautifies the land How many more shall die before you answer when I ask why? My mother shall cry and bury her son before he becomes a man My brother shall cry a

  Image source: Jamaica Observer Sometimes I sit down and think to myself as to whether or not I would really want to bring a child into this world under these conditions. When watching television here in Jamaica, one of the most popular sentiments you will hear is " We want justice" but how many of these cries are actually heard?  Like many other things here in Jamaica you can get certain needs depending on or only if you are 'Sir Tom or Miss Prudence' living in a mansion. Justice does exist but exist for a selected few and that is the truth of the matter. We can take our eyes to overseas and see the fear that people live in because of a justice system that has failed them but we can keep our eyes right here at home and realize that this system wasn't created for us 'average' Jamaicans.    We have to learn to educate ourselves so that we can use our voice and not accept any and anything that is served on a platter to us because we don't kn

"From as long as I can remember I've always wanted to write. My mother taught me to read and write very well before I started school. My birthday gifts were always books and I was always thrilled to receive them. I didn't grow up watching a lot of television so even today I'm still behind on shows that people my age group grew up watching.  Like others, during my teenage years I wanted to fit in and I wanted to be seen. Looking back at it now I can just smile at it because of the growth that has brought me to the woman I am now. We all have things that we are passionate about and mine happens to be poetry. It isn't the most glamorous nor is it filled with expensive accolades but it is what I want to do. In the darkest of times in my life poetry has always been there and I can honestly say that if I didn't have my poetry I wouldn't be here today. We live in a world where people do just about anything to be noticed but I rather have my words be memorable and