[Lyric] Sonny’s Lettah Anti-sus Poem (Linton Kwesi Johnson)

[Intro]
Brixton Prison, Jeb Avenue
London South West 2
England

[Pre-Verse]
Dear mama, good day
I hope that when these few lines reach you
They may find you in the best of health

[Verse 1]
Mama, I really don't know how to tell you dis
'Cause, I did make a solemn promise
To take care of little Jim
An' try mi best fi look out fi him
Mama, I really did try mi best
But, nonetheless
Mi sorry fi tell ya, say, poor little Jim get arrest
It was di middle of di rush hour
When everybody jus' a hustle an' a bustle
Fi go home fi dem evenin' shower
Mi an Jim stand up, waitin' pon a bus
Not causing no fuss
When all of a sudden a police van pull up.
Out jump three policeman
Whole of dem carrying baton
Dem walk straight up to mi an' Jim
One of dem hold onto Jim
Say, him takin' him in
Jim tell him to let go a him
For, him nah do nothin'
An' him nah thief, not even a [?]
[Verse 2]
Jim start to wriggle
The police start to giggle
Mama, make I tell you what dem do to Jim
Mama, make I tell you what dem do to him
Dem thump him in him belly, an' it turn to jelly
Dem lick him pon him back an' him rib get pop
Dem lick him pon him head but it tough like lead
Dem kick him in him seed, and it started to bleed
Mama, I just couldn't stand up there no do nothin'
So mi jook one in him eye an' him started to cry
Mi thump one in di mouth an' him started to shout
Mi kick one pon him shin an' him started to spin
Mi pump him pon him chin an' him drop on a bin
An' crash; An' dead

[Post-Verse]
Mama, more policeman come down
An' beat me to the ground
Dem charge Jim fi suss
Dem charge mi fi murder

[Outro]
Mama, don't fret
Don't get depress an' downhearted
Be of good courage, 'till I hear from you
I remain your son, Sonny