Jumbie Stories Sweet

Three small picknies sit by the outside kitchen

Not sure if them ready fi the story to begin

Daddy tipped the flambo with a smirk on his face

The light was now bright, but still our hearts race

Our eyes tear opened as he started the first

About the river bridge in Mespo whey people say curse

With no electricity during those times

The pitched black night was when the ghost chose to shine

In a long white dress, she often appears

No man too big for her to instil in them fear

We jumped a little as daddy screeched out her sound

The place was so silent we can hear our hearts pound

Go bring me the salt mummy shouted to my brother

The silence was broken as we looked at each other

Daddy started to laugh at the look on his face

But mommy was upset and started to pace

Why you does frighten the pickney them, she shouted at him

Na dem want hear jumbie stories, he replied with a grin

Go follow him, he said, all three ah you go

Nothing na dey in the house to frighten aryo

We took a lighted candle and headed in the house

Nobody talking, we quiet like a mouse

Our toes were being mashed by each other’s feet

No one wanted the back, no one wanted to lead

We shuffled along till we got to the table

The shackle of fear no longer had us disabled

For as my brother grabbed the salt we all rush for the door

Although Jumbie story sweet, we never want hear no more

A second will come, but on another night

Once we get a good rest and sleep off the fright

Maybe next time we go hear about Jack o’ Lantern

Frog with bow tie or the Obeah man

Copyright Rose-Ann Smith 2014