Renewal in the Yard: Nature’s Riddim
- giraffevisionx2
- Nov 22, 2025
- 3 min read
What looked like overgrown chaos turned out to be a gentle sign of resilience — a reminder that nature’s riddim never stops beating.
When the Yard Went Rogue
Turning up the path to our home made my heart sink. The grassy expanse in and around our yard had gone completely rogue — a clear sign the gardener still hadn’t turned up. After weeks of rain, and then hurricane Melissa, the place was wild.
As the vehicle neared our gate, an unexpected patchwork caught my eye. Tiny colourful wildflowers crowned the thick grass as if someone had tossed little bouquets overnight.
Wow! Resplendent!
But then, as we drove through the gate there seemed to be a flickering. A twinkling in the grassy constellation. I leaned forward and then gasped.
Why?
Butterflies! Plenty plenty butterflies!
More than I have ever seen in such a very long time!
Silent Victims of the Storm
Seeing that so many trees across the island suffered wind burn and more than 270 hectares of forests were damaged, I wondered if any of these pretty butterflies came from Mandeville
or MoBay. According to the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ), butterflies are among the ‘silent victims’ of the Category 5 hurricane.
The more I thought about it the more I realised that this wasn’t just a pretty scene. Their presence meant that even the tiny, fragile flora and fauna had survived the storm. Further, this was proof — fluttering proof — that something in our little corner of the island was healing.
Butterflies only thrive when the plants thrive. And plants only thrive when the whole chain of life is functioning in harmony. Their presence whisper that the land is trying to heal, and that in some small way, we are healing too.
Pollinators keep the world of flowering plants alive. And their survival keeps the tempo of ours — our air, our food, our landscapes, our medicine, our economy. Their fluttering wings and tiny feet beat the rhythm of resilience. So, the next time you unpack your groceries, pause a lickle and see how many treasures show they played their part.
A Poetic Pause
Ketch de riddim
Ketch de riddim with me — see how pollinators play their part:
from citrus fruits, nuts and spices,
to coffee and moringa tea,
veggies, beets and cocoa treats
Ketch de riddim, Ketch de riddim — and keep count with me:
oils, timber, dyes, gum and paper
cotton buds, socks and sheets,
cosmetics, aspirin and other remedies.
Ketch de riddim again, Honey — show them how we smart.
When we join the riddim, we naturally play our part
-Gail N Fraser, Nov 2025-
Aaaiiii me fren', such knowledge made me feel oddly privileged to have the messy bush to host them. I actually prayed that our community would somehow take turns cutting grass just so the wildlife would have a reliable source of food and whatever else they need to thrive.
When I reached out to my friend, Tameka, at Ahhh...RasNatango in St James, she shared pics of the bees, birds and other creatures now flocking to their home. I noticed the many birds perched in the leaf-less trees. While the hurricane had left her family with many
inconveniences, she still found ways to care for the wildlife.
Yet she sounded sad. She said she doesn’t seem to have enough fruit and white sugar syrup to share with them.
It made me sad and happy at the same time — sad for all that was stripped away, yet happy that these little survivors knew where to find help. A closer look at each photograph revealed something different — on one, tender new leaves sprouting; on another, how sharing a morsel of ripe banana or water could make a difference.
Little Signs of Healing
Even as we grieve, and rebuild, may we also do our little bit to support the restoration of ecosystems near and far. Nurturing their return will bring back the haven of our island home and it will also contribute to the well-being of each and every one of us.
Daily, may we observe the little miracles around us in our gardens, along the roads, hills, gullies and coastlines. Every sighting shared tells a story of hope and resilience. Feel free to share here too — it helps us learn from one another. And if you want to dig a little deeper into the science and stewardship behind this reflection, you’ll find helpful links in the footnotes below.
Walk good me Fren’. Walk good!
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What a lovely read! And so informative