Sad Song of Plantain poem

The Sad Song Of Plantain

I lie as quiet as death in this
‘three for two pounds’ cardboard box.
Too black with skin too thick.

Inside I am unblemished
and can still provide a sweet hit
on any savoury meal. I remember

coming across from Kade packed tightly
with my kin to this foreign land.
The box opened to my curved body for sale

but the touch of customers led nowhere.
Their handling brought bruising
and more bruising but in this box

I stayed discounted and ignored.
My ripeness uneventful, other plantains
came and went as I dreamt about Kade.

If I could only get back to its fertile soil
even now I could root, I could shoot,
I could bloom, but the bright order of hope

is fading in my dry and blotchy skin,
and already the varnished smell of rot
is erasing every dream I’ve already forgotten.

Roger Robinson

Roger Robinson is an award-winning writer and performer from Trinidad now living in Britain.