Belizean Lullaby - Leo Bradley

Twilight's myriad hues are cov'ring

Windswept lands beside the sea;

While the lofty trees are bowing

Leafy heads about a caye

Where the loving voice of mother

Whispered lullaby to me.

Now as stars serenely glitter

O'er Belizean tropic sand,

And the little lamp lights flicker --

Mother's wrinkled, gentle hand

Will but fondle babe while singing

Lullaby throughout the land.

Here, beside the rushing river

Where the glow worms brightly fly;

There beside the Maya ruin

On a verdant hillock high,

Gentle lips of rustic mothers

Fondly break in lullaby.

And within the fishing hamlet

On a sandy, moonlit isle,

Or below a Cookscomb sunset

From a Carib in her smile,

Silent, stealing strains will echo

Lullaby from mile to mile.

While the Carib sire will linger,

Resting like his Maya friend,

And the city father's finger

Will in sporting pleasure blend,

Mother's voice throughout Belize

Will in lullaby descend.

And beside the magic seaside

Where the wavelets splash and die;

Or on top the Western highlands

Where the cradles kiss the sky,

Little hearts of new Belizeans

Throb to mother's lullaby.

For while laughing heads of palm-trees

Blend with windy ecstasy;

And Belizean tropic nature

Join in glorious melody,

Mother's lullaby will soften

In a perfect rhapsody.

---

Leo Bradley (1926 - 2001) Belize

Source: Belizean Poets Belize National Library Service, date unknown but possiby 1977