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Domnic Fernandes continues (Part II) his reminiscence of
Mapusa of the 1950s
http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426
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WHAT WILL I TELL THEM NOW?
Tony Fernandes
(July 2003)
On my journey the world over
I meet and speak to people about my Goa,
At the slightest chance I sing praises about our traditions and culture;
About our mando and durpod, zothi and grandmas stories,
Endlessly I chatter;
What will I tell them now?
On my travels I show pictures of her to people I meet
Of our sun-drenched beaches, white-washed churches,
And way-side crosses, mosques, temples and green fields,
About how Shigmo and Carnival floats provide an exciting treat;
Incessantly I rant about our bazaars and feasts;
But what will I tell them now?
On my voyages to various distant shores,
In our ancestral proverbs I relate about the wit;
I harp about dedicated warmth in our pleasant welcome;
Proudly I insist that peace is our emblem;
That in harmony we dwell with no problem;
But what will I tell them now?
Often some are held spellbound and awestruck,
"Sounds like a fascinating place" they often say,
Declares another: "I must go there on a holiday",
"I am sure you will love it, you will surely enjoy your stay" I firmly say,
"I was there some years ago" asserts another,
But what will I tell them now?
Performing like an ambassador at the slightest option,
My friends to rapt attention I hold with a history lesson;
Boasting about our land I depict a picture of the lone farmer
Iin the fields with his plough,
Of fishermen braving rough seas, hoping for an ample catch
And along the unspoiled seashore pulling in the nets at dusk;
But what will I tell them now?
Latest events have inflicted on her a huge blow,
Left a scar on her brow,
White sands are now stained red,
My land once perfect and pure,
Unblemished and untouched;
Has now been tainted and corrupted,
My heart is torn, my pride is worn,
What will I tell my friends now?
March 2006
http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=427
http://www.goanet.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=310
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