Endless Tears: A Tribute To Manno Charlemagne, Haiti Poem by Hebert Logerie

I have tears in my eyes, but I'm not crying
I have tears in my eyes, but I'm not laughing
I have tears in my eyes, but I ‘m not singing
I have tears in my eyes, and I'm not joking.

Haiti, Ayiti lost today a great Hero
A loyal son, a great activist singer who fought
Against the fierce dictatorships that plunder, waste, kill
And dispose of their critics by crushing bones, and wills.

Manno Charlemagne was a brave Haitian
Someone with intrinsic values, a onetime politician
Who could not change the status quo with deeds
And a great Poet who knew how to play with words.

Mwen gen dlo nan je mwen, men mwen pap krye
Mwen gen dlo nan je mwen, men mwen pap rele
Mwen gen dlo nan je mwen, men mwen pap chante
Mwen gen dlo nan je mwen, e mwen pap plezante.

Haiti, Ayiti, poor Haiti, land of our ancestors
Others destroy and plunder goods and beings
Haiti, why so much misery and suffering
Why are you the sole nation without the ghost of a chance?

I have tears in my eyes, but I am not weeping
I have tears in my eyes, but I am not laughing
I have tears in my eyes, but I am not singing
I have tears in my eyes, and I am not joking.

Manno Charlemagne, you are a very big loss
To our communities. You dared to raise your voice
Against the criminals, who have tried to kill Haiti
I LOVE you for that. You are a true Hero for Haiti.

I have tears in my eyes, but I'm not crying
I have tears in my eyes, but I do not laugh
I have tears in my eyes because the fight continues
Death is not the end, and the roots are strong as crews.

P.S. This painting is a courtesy of the famous Haitian Painter Artist, Lucien Bourdeau.

Copyright © December 2017, Hebert Logerie, All rights reserved
Hébert Logerie is the author of several collections of poems.