No More "Smalling Up" of Me

"Small up" is a term used in Jamaica when riding the bus. Bus drivers get paid based on the number of people they transport,so they try to pick up as many passengers as possible. The bus "loader" helps the bus driver find passengers and squeeze people into the bus. When the bus appears full to the untrained eye the "loader" scans the bus and finds space where another person might fit. That's when the loader says "small up".  He means, "Move over and make room for someone else".


All that said to explain the name of the poem below.  I saw this poster up at a social service agency and wanted to share the poem. I liked the message that children should be encouraged to express and to be themselves. 

No More "Smalling Up" of Me

No more meekly saying

'yes' when my heart is is 

screaming 'no'

No more taming of my feelings

so my power won't show

No more hiding my exuberance

from disapproving eyes

No more watering down myself

so my spirit won't rise.

No more "smalling up" of me

pretending I'm not here

No more running from the music

and the spotlight's glare

No more living in this prison

barricaded by my fears

No more turning and retreating 

in the face of new frontiers.

Even as I am speaking

I am taking shape and form

harnessing my powers like a 

gathering storm

There's no obstacle so bold

as to dare stand in my way

I am taking back my life

and I am doing it today.

- Jean Wilson 

Kingston Jamaica