McDonald


And placed them in honoured virgin-women baskets.
Carried everywhere, more treasured than a home,
Such great bones last longer than gold or settlements.



Kept forever, the old men chant,
Forever kept, forever and forever,
Forever to match their courage against foes
To guard the people against defeat
To guard the people against all ill
To guard against the giants of the dark
Forever guard, these strongest of the strong,
For however long forever ever lasts.



 Ian McDonald
 Georgetown, Guyana