Howard Archibald Fergus.
Shining Black star
in Montserrat sky
over global landscape.
Prolific writer.
Longevity as speaker.
Home grown and internationally known
Caribbean statesman
schooled Long Ground class
through Manchester walls
and Commonwealth halls.
Teacher
Head teacher
School master
Intramural tutor
Extramural counsellor
UWI professor
showing light arising from the West.
Caribbean civics
Creator and instructor
History tutor
Black British Sir
Montserrat’s hero
Eulogised its heroes
in poetry and prose
rhyme and song
giving to each due.
Husband
Father
Grandfather
Lay pastor
Good neighbour
Benefactor
Community leader
Statesman
Poet laureate
Penned national song
Catalogued Montserrat’s history
promoted its lingua
like Mother English.
Encourager.
Called me poet.
Dies prompting this eulogy.
Dies creating
living memory.
Ready to leave-
if we read him well
as he eulogised the great
giving copious thanks
teaching lessons
until he fell
into eternity.
May the Lord whom he preached
from Long Ground chapel to Brades Cathedral
God whom he served
through life
across Montserrat Caribbean Commonwealth
Crown him in death.
Rest in peace
Sir Howard.
We give thanks.