They Enjoy Seeing Us Divided

They enjoy seeing us fighting

They don't like seeing us working

We need to lead, not to follow the others

Who enjoy seeing us in raggedy clothes and slippers

They don’t want us to own big business

So we won’t be able to earn big money

Like them. Let’s put our heads together, please

Let’s unite. Let’s not behave like evil beasts

Like birdbrains. We need to organize better

We must be the best that we can

So that we can enjoy greatness and a prosperous future

Success is about doing well and being solvent.  Yes, we can

If we are united against racism, discrimination

Corruption, dictatorship and all things that are bad

For our society or stand as one Nation. We can win

Together against all criminals and kidnappers. It is sad

That we mess up or fight each other for no reason

We will succeed if we stop betraying each other

And fighting among ourselves for spurious reasons. If together

We work, we eat together, and we live and sing together

We celebrate together, we dance and struggle together

We will be victorious without a doubt. Please understand

What I am talking about. We need to make a stand

Because they cannot kill all of us. I am planting a seed

Which will grow in our minds. We will fight against greed

Racism, bigotry and all sorts of misdeeds or unfairness

Let’s be or remain vigilant, just, tolerable and honest

We are brothers and sisters. Let’s watch and protect

Each other’s back. Let’s practice love, togetherness and respect.

Translation from Haitian Creole: Zòt renmen Lè Ke Nou Divize.

Copyright © February 2021, Hébert Logerie, All rights reserved.

Hébert Logerie is the author of several collections of poems