The year?s begun, new life is born,

It?s time to drink and dance till dawn,

To spend three weeks with family,

To forget your job, and GDP.

Go back to work in late January,

Just in time for Cavadee,

To prove once more our diversity,

Let?s share a plate of sept carris,

But not for long, its time to mourn,

Our slave ancestors, dead and gone,

Remember freedom fiercely won,

So we can have a lot of fun.

And fun is needed, no denying that,

To hail the Year that brings the Rat,

So let?s join in with absenteeism

To revel in our pluralism.

With extended leave you can combine

The Chinese feast with Saint Valentine.

It?s not official, but leaders from above

Keep telling us "Don?t fight! Make Love!".

Maintain that love, and all the passion,

As you make your way to the Grand Bassin.

Come join the walk and seek the lake,

Of multiplicity one nation make.

True liberty is ours! Hip, hip, hooray!

We hear this on Independence Day.

"What! More time off??" "Don?t be neurotic,

Salute the colours, be patriotic!"

?The fields and factories, just now and then,

Don?t need us workers, thank heaven!

Besides, the economy is fine, so just relax,

And raise the Value Added Tax!?

But my best time, I have to say,

Is when we celebrate World Labour Day,

When politicians wail and weep,

And all the nation falls asleep.

Wakes up in time for Assumption Day,

The feast of Ganesh comes straightaway,

And what could reach such festive heights

Than Eid-ul-Fitr and Divali Lights?

Not over. There are All Saints to honour,

And Labourers need time to ponder

How the year was spent in rich activity,

And sing a Hymn to Productivity.

Rodney PHILLIPS