Money's Ancestors

The journey of Jamaican Money

Money's Ancestor

Money wanted to discover from whence its ancestors came.

How is it that persons seek him to gain riches and fame?

One night his Mama Pence dreamt him and she had so much to say

She said, “Money boy, we are coming a mighty long way”.

 

We were adopted in the early 80s from the British Colony-

Before us they did bartering, there wasn't any real currency.

Then came your Grandpa Shilling, a very popular man and scholar

He was so loved he became the towns famous Quarter Dollar.

 

In 1869 his life changed when he met Penny Half Penny.

They met during collection at a cheerful church ceremony.

Amazed as he saw her exquisiteness wearing an astounding silver dress

It had on patterns of the British monarch and the lovely Jamaican Crest.

 

They gave birth in 1880 to a beautiful bouncing baby

They named her Farthing she was a fine little lady.

She lived a long life before passing in 1952

Not long enough to see all that would become new.

 

 

“Oh money thou we were a ‘thruppance’ we served our value with pride”.

However, a time came in the late 90s where our existence all died.

A lot changed seven years after Jamaica’s independence

And birthed is this new generation of dollars and cents.

 

Reviews

[Tom]

What a very creative and fascinating poetic write on the old colonial currencies and then with Jamaican independence came the dollar & dime ! Loved the long ago reference to bartering before any money came to change hands!

Historically and poetically superb, this poem must be read & reviewed by many more ! !

[Anika Morris]

Thank you Tom, I put in a lot of research and energy to write this poem. I felt accomplished when i completed it and read it over. Thanks for your encouraging review!