Kenniesha Burrell:Title: 'Soon Come' – The Real Jamaican Time Machine By Kenniesha Burrell

 

Title: 'Soon Come' – The Real Jamaican Time Machine

By Kenniesha Burrell

Growing up in the hills of St. Mary, I, Kenniesha Burrell, knew that when someone told you, "Mi soon come," you shouldn’t bother putting on your shoes just yet. You could go pick two breadfruits, pass through Miss Zilla yard, and come back to find the person still not there. But that wasn’t disrespect — that was Jamaican time.

This isn’t laziness. It isn’t slackness. It’s a way of life rooted in culture, geography, and old-school community values. Let me take you on a little journey through the meaning behind one of Jamaica’s most misunderstood phrases.

S - Situation: What Does “Soon Come” Really Mean?

The phrase "soon come" is as Jamaican as jerk chicken and beach sunsets. While it literally means, "I’ll be there shortly," in practice, it can mean anything from five minutes to next week. It’s not a lie — it’s a soft promise. It means you matter, just not right this minute.

In country places like St. Mary, Portland, or way up in the hills of Manchester, timing is flexible. No taxis nearby, rain falling, goat block the road, or Granny sidetrack you to shell gungo peas? It all adds up. “Soon come” means: "I haven’t forgotten you. I’m just working with what I have."

O - Observation: Why Is Time So Flexible in Jamaica?

Our Jamaican lifestyle values people over punctuality. And that’s not by accident. It’s rooted in African traditions, mixed with the realities of colonial hardship, and the blessings (and limitations) of rural life.

In many communities, time was never something you rushed. When you don’t have a bus schedule — or the bus simply doesn’t show — you learn patience. When your dinner depends on firewood, breeze, and coal pot — you adapt.

This rhythm, this vibe, is what makes “soon come” so uniquely Jamaican. It’s not about the hour — it’s about the heart.

E - Explanation: How “Soon Come” Shaped My Childhood

As Kenniesha Burrell from country, I remember my uncle saying “soon come” on his way to Annotto Bay to fix a tire. I didn’t see him again for three days — but he came back with fish, mango, and a story to mek yuh laugh till yuh cry. That’s how life was.

I learned early that time wasn’t the boss — life was. You couldn’t hurry the chicken to lay, or the river to calm. You couldn’t rush Aunt Pearl’s stew peas or expect Bobo to reach without stopping to hail everybody along the way.

So when I say “soon come” today, it’s not because I don’t care. It means I do care — and I’m coming, just not in a rush.

Adapting to the Times

Nowadays, in a fast-paced world of Zoom meetings, deadlines, and WhatsApp check-ins, “soon come” doesn’t always work. Jamaicans, especially in business and tourism, have learned to switch gears — being punctual when it counts, but still holding onto the warmth and flexibility of our roots.

It’s a balance. A blend of global hustle and island grace.

Final Word from Kenniesha Burrell

So next time you hear a Jamaican say, “Mi soon come,” don’t take it as a delay — take it as a promise made with heart. Maybe they’re caught up, maybe they’re walking slow, maybe they’re enjoying the moment. Either way, you’re still important.

And if you’re ever in St. Mary, grab a cold jelly, sit under a tree, and let the breeze show you what we already know: in Jamaica, we don’t rush time — we live it.

About the Author: Kenniesha Burrell is a proud daughter of the Jamaican soil, raised in the heart of St. Mary. Her writing blends cultural insight, storytelling, and Caribbean warmth to connect readers with the real Jamaica.


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