I am not sure why our first Poet Laureate since Independence, Professor Mervyn Morris, called his latest slim volume of poetry “Last Reel” (published by Ian Randle Publishers). When I get my hands on a copy, I will find out. I did hear him reading some of the poems today, at the book launch at the National Library of Jamaica.
The event included the unveiling of a bronze bust of the good Professor - not really a veil, but a rather heavy indigo cloth that draped it. The bust was created by Kay Sullivan, a Jamaican sculptor; I think she captured the intensity of Morris’ gaze very well.
The audience was very well behaved and very middle class, warm, attentive, and supportive, with more women than men. This is the norm for most major literary events in Jamaica. This time, a substantial scattering of poets was included.
Poetry is hugely popular here, in general. Perhaps dancehall deejays and rapping is an extension of it, entering the grassroots realm of cultural expression. I believe there is a merging with dub poetry - which still holds its rightful place. A couple of esteemed dub poets were at today’s event; they were at times noisier than our polite audience. I think they wanted more excitement.
We are about to receive (if that’s the right word) our fourth PL, selected through a public nomination process. His name is Professor Kwame Dawes. He is Ghanaian-born, but his family moved to Jamaica when he was a boy. He studied in Canada and is now Professor of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a co-founder of the now biennial Calabash Literary Festival in Treasure Beach, Jamaica, which his Wikipedia entry seems to have forgotten about. So he maintains his links with the island, despite not living here for many years.
Mervyn Morris’ successors were Lorna Goodison, who lives in Canada, and Olive Senior, who was also Canada-based, although she has been living in Jamaica for quite some time now. Jamaicans in general do move back and forth - and perhaps especially creatives.
Our culture spills over. As cultures do…
Another great piece, Emma… what gems we have here…
Fantastic sis. Thank you for being in all the places and bringing us great reports. Our little island teems with talent. BIG CONGRATULATIONS to our vivid Poet Laureates🌹🌹🌹