Dear readers,
On October 1st, Poets of the Caribbean will be one-year old! I am very pleased that so many of you have visited this site from all over the world, and have taken the time to comment on the postings.
I invite you to visit the blog frequently throughout October as I share giveways, stats, interesting posts, and feature a remarkable Caribbean poet.
I truly would like to thank and reward you for your time and interest in the blog, so don't miss out! As usual, your feedback is important and valuable to me, so don't be shy. Post a comment and let me know what's on your mind.
Yasmin
9/27/2011
9/26/2011
Cesaire's New Kindness
Hope you are enjoying the nice Fall weather, (or brilliant sunshiny days if you are in the Caribbean). As September winds down, I am sharing another Cesaire poem, New Kindness, or Nouvelle Bonte for my francophone friends. Enjoy!
New Kindness
to deliver the world to the assassins of dawn is out of the question
death-life
life-death
those who slap dusk in the face
roads hang from their flayer necks
like shoes too new
we're not dealing with a rout
only the traps have been whisked away during the night
as for the rest
horses that have left nothing more in the ground
than their furious hoofprints
muzzles aimed with lapped-up blood
the unsheathing of the knives of justice
and of the inspired horns
of vampire birds their entire beaks lit up
defying appearances
but also breasts nursing rivers
and sweet calabashes in the hollows of offering hands
a new kindness is ceaselessly growing on the horizon.
Aime Cesaire. From Lyric and Dramatic Poetry, 1946-82. Translated by Clayton Eshleman and Annette Smith. The University Press of Virginia. Copyright 1990.
New Kindness
to deliver the world to the assassins of dawn is out of the question
death-life
life-death
those who slap dusk in the face
roads hang from their flayer necks
like shoes too new
we're not dealing with a rout
only the traps have been whisked away during the night
as for the rest
horses that have left nothing more in the ground
than their furious hoofprints
muzzles aimed with lapped-up blood
the unsheathing of the knives of justice
and of the inspired horns
of vampire birds their entire beaks lit up
defying appearances
but also breasts nursing rivers
and sweet calabashes in the hollows of offering hands
a new kindness is ceaselessly growing on the horizon.
Aime Cesaire. From Lyric and Dramatic Poetry, 1946-82. Translated by Clayton Eshleman and Annette Smith. The University Press of Virginia. Copyright 1990.
9/24/2011
Calabash's Legacy - So Much Things to Say
So Much Things to Say: 100 Poets From The First 10 Years of the Calabash International Literary Festival is now available. The book is edited by Kwame Dawes, and Colin Channer, who were the programming and artistic directors, respectively, of Calabash.
This is really a great resource for lovers of Caribbean literature.
Read more about this book in the Jamaica Gleaner.
This is really a great resource for lovers of Caribbean literature.
Read more about this book in the Jamaica Gleaner.
9/23/2011
100 Thousand Poets for Change
Get involved with the 100 Thousand Poets for Change global initiative tomorrow, Saturday, September 24th. Check out the events and their locations to see if there is something happening near you. Some Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, are listed.
9/20/2011
One Belt At A Time
I know karate is a little off topic, but I thought I would share this photo from my karate belt test last night. I moved up one rung to gold belt, and although the black belt is a long way off, one belt at a time, I will get there.
In a previous post, I mentioned that karate and kickboxing are helping me to be a better writer, because I am learning to be more focused, disciplined, how to roll with the punches (literally!) and to keep my eyes on the prize.
In a previous post, I mentioned that karate and kickboxing are helping me to be a better writer, because I am learning to be more focused, disciplined, how to roll with the punches (literally!) and to keep my eyes on the prize.
Me, center, beside my green belt classmate
So, if you have had setbacks or disappointments with your writing career recently, don't be discouraged. Keep your eye on the prize, and take it one page at a time.
9/16/2011
More on Aime Cesaire
Here are five more interesting things about Aime Cesaire:
Source: Aime Cesaire. Cambridge Studies in African and Caribbean Literature. Cambridge University Press, 1997.
- He won a scholarship in 1931 to attend the Lycee Louis-le-Grand in Paris
- Cesaire married Suzanne Roussi, a Martinican
- In 1945, he was elected mayor of Fort-de-France, and deputy in the Constituent Assembly on the French Communist Party ticket
- He founded the Parti Progressiste Martiniquais in 1958 in Fort-de-France after resigning from the French Communist Party
- Cesaire retired from electoral politics in 1993
Source: Aime Cesaire. Cambridge Studies in African and Caribbean Literature. Cambridge University Press, 1997.
9/14/2011
The Strength To Face Tomorrow (La Force De Regarder Demain)
Here is another Cesaire poem, The Strength To Face Tomorrow (La Force De Regarder Demain).
the kisses of meteorites
the ferocious chest-bearing of volcanoes starting
with eagles' games
the push of subcontinents
also bracing themselves against underwater passions
the mountain that brings down its cavalcades in a full gallop
of contagious rocks
my words capturing angers
suns by which to reckon my native
natal being
violet cyclops of the cyclones
regardless of the arrogant brand
flint high enough to torch the night
exhausted by a resurgent doubt
the strength to face tomorrow.
From: Lyric and Dramatic Poetry 1946-82. By Aime Cesaire. Translated by Clayton Eshleman and Annette Smith. Copyright 1990. The University Press of Virginia.
the kisses of meteorites
the ferocious chest-bearing of volcanoes starting
with eagles' games
the push of subcontinents
also bracing themselves against underwater passions
the mountain that brings down its cavalcades in a full gallop
of contagious rocks
my words capturing angers
suns by which to reckon my native
natal being
violet cyclops of the cyclones
regardless of the arrogant brand
flint high enough to torch the night
exhausted by a resurgent doubt
the strength to face tomorrow.
From: Lyric and Dramatic Poetry 1946-82. By Aime Cesaire. Translated by Clayton Eshleman and Annette Smith. Copyright 1990. The University Press of Virginia.
9/09/2011
Cesaire's Martinique
I have never been, but from pictures, Martinique seems breathtakingly beautiful. No wonder Cesaire was inspired to write. In my last post, I featured his Song of the Sea Horse. For Caribbean writers, the sea is a constant theme. Below is one slice of Martinique scenery. Have you ever been there? I would love to hear your thoughts on the experience.
Martinique
Photo: Google
Martinique
Photo: Google
9/07/2011
Song of the Sea Horse
Enjoy Cesaire's Song of the Sea Horse (Chanson de l'hippocampe)
Song of the Sea Horse
Tiny horse escaped from time
braving the towpaths of wind and waves and turbulent sand
tiny horse
arched back saltpetered by the wind
head low toward the cry of mares
tiny horse without fins
without memory
debris from the end of the run and the sedition of continents
proud tiny horse stubborn from calculated loves
badly torn in the hiss of stagnant ponds
one restive day
we will mount you
and away you'll gallop tiny horse
fearless
unerring in the wind the salt and the wrack
From: Lyric and Dramatic Poetry 1946-82. By Aime Cesaire. Translated by Clayton Eshleman and Annette Smith. Copyright 1990. The University Press of Virginia.
Song of the Sea Horse
Tiny horse escaped from time
braving the towpaths of wind and waves and turbulent sand
tiny horse
arched back saltpetered by the wind
head low toward the cry of mares
tiny horse without fins
without memory
debris from the end of the run and the sedition of continents
proud tiny horse stubborn from calculated loves
badly torn in the hiss of stagnant ponds
one restive day
we will mount you
and away you'll gallop tiny horse
fearless
unerring in the wind the salt and the wrack
From: Lyric and Dramatic Poetry 1946-82. By Aime Cesaire. Translated by Clayton Eshleman and Annette Smith. Copyright 1990. The University Press of Virginia.
9/01/2011
Aime Cesaire
Aime Cesaire is considered perhaps the best known French Caribbean poet. Cesaire was born in Basse Pointe, on the French Caribbean island of Martinique on June 26, 1913. In 1931, he left Martinique for France to study at the Lycee Louis-le-Grand, where he met fellow Senegalese student Leopold Sedar Senghor, with whom he co-founded the negritude movement.
Aime Cesaire
Cesaire was also a playwright and statesman. He was involved in electoral politics in Martinique. Aime Cesaire was awarded numerous literary prizes, including the Grand Prix National for poetry. Among his works is the well-known Cahier d'un retour au pays natal (Notebook of a return to the native land).
Throughout this month, some of his poems will be featured, in English with the French translation. If you have read or studied Cesaire, please share your reflections on his work.
Aime Cesaire
Cesaire was also a playwright and statesman. He was involved in electoral politics in Martinique. Aime Cesaire was awarded numerous literary prizes, including the Grand Prix National for poetry. Among his works is the well-known Cahier d'un retour au pays natal (Notebook of a return to the native land).
Throughout this month, some of his poems will be featured, in English with the French translation. If you have read or studied Cesaire, please share your reflections on his work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)