Read one of the poems from
Under the Moon and Over the Sea - A Collection of Caribbean Poems
edited by John Agard and Grace Nichols

Windrush Child by John Agard

(The Windrush was a famous ship which carried Caribbean people to England in 1948)

Behind you
Windrush child
palm trees wave goodbye

above you
Windrush child
seabirds asking why

around you
Windrush child
blue water rolling by

beside you
Windrush child
your Windrush mum and dad

think of storytime yard
and mango mornings

and new beginnings
doors closing and opening

will things turn out right?
At least the ship will arrive
in midsummer light

and you Windrush child
think of Grandmother
telling you don’t forget to write

and with one last hug
walk good walk good
and the sea’s wheels carries on spinning

and from that place England
you tell her in a letter
of your Windrush adventure

stepping in a big ship
not knowing how long the journey
or that you’re stepping into history

bringing your Caribbean eye
to another horizon
Grandmother’s words your shining beacon

learning how to fly
the kite of your dreams
in an English sky

Windrush child
walking good walking good
in a mind-opening
meeting of snow and sun

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Under the Moon and Over the Sea - A Collection of Caribbean Poems edited by John Agard and Grace Nichols
First published in the UK by Walker Books Ltd 2002.
This edition published 2003.
Windrush Child Copyright © John Agard 2002
reproduced by kind permission of John Agard
c/o Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency Limited.
Illustrations Copyright © Sara Fanelli 2002.
ISBN 0 7445 9842 7.

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