Tributes to Cheddi Jagan

Tributes to Cheddi Jagan

THERE WAS A MAN by Hemraj Muniram

There was a man, a builder

of houses for learning, houses

for the sick, and ferry-

boats for the journey.

There was a man, a grower

of sugar cane, rice, bhajee

and conduct exemplary.

There was a man, a master blender

of theory and practice, who mixed

Guevara and Gandhi with spice from Marx.

There was a forward-looking man of action

ready to make a new world order,

who bear-hugged change from Moscow

to Santiago to Hosororo.

Ears in all climes heard his fiery fights

for forty-five years in the House

of Assembly and more times on the road

and within bottom-houses against fetters,

force, fraud, fear and Forbes.

There was a man, a peacemaker

in the World Peace Council, who strove

for just and steady peace among peoples,

including his colonized then disenfranchised

and traumatised folk.

There was a man, a humble man

like Uncle Ho, who desired neither crown

nor mansion nor vainglory, only

a land of unity, of plenty, and free.

There was such a man, believe me,

named Cheddi Jagan.

© Hemraj Muniram