Haiti, Oh, HaitiHaiti, Oh, Haitivaliantrich African historymighty in battlein religion supremeHaiti, Oh Haitidefeated Spanish, French, Englishyour only sinnever forgivenby devils lingering on your island in the sunthere are those who say evil shall prevailbut evil shall eat crowthis the devils shall knowHaiti, Oh Haitiariseas you did the Spanish, French, EnglishCome forth Toussaint, Dessalines, BokmanCome in the name of VudunCheck the devils at the crossroadsHaiti, Oh HaitiWhere is your president who loved the poorflown into exile by those across the shoreHaiti, Oh Haitiyour grave yards are not junk yardsbut fields of life, hope, lovehonor the dead, remember your historyyou devoured the Spanish, French, EnglishLet the earth consume the evil onesyes, the innocent must suffertil the valiant children take controlin the name of ancestorsthe living and yet unborn.--Marvin X1995, revised 2010
Study Questions for Haiti, Oh, Haiti1. What is meant by valiant, rich African history in general and Haiti in particular?2. What battle is the poet is speaking about?3. Why is Haiti said to be supreme in religion? What is the religion or religions of Haiti?4.Why did Haiti defeat the Spanish, French, English? Haiti aided the US in what battle? She aidedSimon Bolivar in what battle? Who is Simon Bolivar?5. Why is defeating the Spanish, French, English their only sin? What French general did Haiti defeat?6. Who are Toussaint, Dessalines and Bokman?7. What is Vudun. This may have been answered in question number 3.8. What is the crossroads? Who is the god of the crossroads?9. What president loved the poor?10. Who flew him into exile? Where is he exiled today?11. Why are grave yards called junk yards?12. Why must the innocent suffer and how long?13. What is the role of children?14. What is ancestor worship?Some answers may be found on the poet's other blog: www.blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com
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