BONDMEN

by William Walcott

William Walcott teaches Sociology and Humanities at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Toronto, Canada. He is interested in using Conversation Analytic Sociology and Speech Act Theory to analyse racism in large urban centres, as well as, the sociological challenges associated with changes to high level international cricket.

  Fourteen West Indians on the field.
  Who has heard the crickets?
  Who has seen the bats?
  Who has cleared the bawl?

  Fourteen West Indians on the field.
  Who has kept the pace?
  Who has lined the drive?
  Who has filled the bowls?

  Fourteen West Indians on the field.
  Who has torn the covers?
  Who has saved the pitch?
  Who has squared the boundaries?

   Fourteen West Indians on the field.
   Who has razed the stakes?
   Who has missed the blot?
   Who has borne the loss?

   Fourteen West Indians on the field.
   Who has shaped the sentries?
   Who has seized the runs?
   Who has kept the stations?

    Fourteen West Indians on the field.
    Who has milled the ground?
    Who has soiled the plot?
    Who has stalled the boss?

    Fourteen West Indians on the field.
    Whose charges will we fear?
    Whose banner should we wear?
    Whose conscience must we bear?

    Fourteen West Indians on the field.
    Whose converts must we hold?
    Whose letters will we fold?
    Whose bounties must we mould?

     Fourteen West Indians on the field.
     Whose captain will we name?
     Whose battle should we blame?
     Whose victory must we claim?