Poetry for Dominica

My name is Catherine Celine Elbourne, and I am 11 years old. I am the eldest of four children and live in La Romaine.  I am a Standard Five pupil of St Gabriel’s Girls’ RC, San Fernando, and a parishioner of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), San Fernando.

I am also a student of the Oratory Foundation led by Debra Jean-Baptiste-Samuel where I have written many poems including ‘Oh, Mother Dominica’ and was placed second in a competition. It was written with the help of my father, Francis Victor Elbourne. My mother, Anwarie Ramkissoon-Elbourne, and I designed and made an interactive portfolio associated with everything Dominican.

My aunt, Rose Bradshaw, helped with this achievement by designing and making full Dominican wear, which included the headpiece I wore when I had the privilege to perform for Fr Jayson Grell and my fellow OLPH parishioners.

I enjoyed performing this poem once more as it brought back many wonderful memories and I was elated to be on ‘stage’ again, performing for fellow Catholics and for my God.

Oh, Mother Dominica

Dominica, oh Dominica,

my adopted land,

Discovered on the Lord’s day, by Columbus and his band.

You came of age in 1978,

When you became independent from Britain, so great.

The flag, yellow, black, and white,

For the early people, the soil, and the water, so bright.

A lovely bird, only found in you,

The Dominican Parrot called the Sisserou.

The capital of Dominica, Roseau,

Is a place I just love to go,

To see the mixture of people and culture,

Speaking English, French, Creole, and Patois.

Norbert Phillip, the great West Indian Cricketer,

And Jean Rhys, the English writer,

Are just two of your famous characters,

Known, both near and far.

Your glorious mountains, oh so high,

Reaching way up to the sky.

With tropical rain forests, a major attraction,

And volcanic lakes, giving a warm reaction.

Then, one night until the morning,

When Maria came knocking.

Category five, she was clocking,

And Uncle Skerrit’s roof went flying.

Oh, Mother Dominica how you crying,

For the children at your breast really suffering.

But like a fighting mother you stood strong,

You watched Maria in the eye and said, “Pass ‘round!”

Dominica, oh Dominica!

I love you as my own mother.

I love the people and natural wonders,

So away from you, I will never wander.