Poetry Promotion

I came across this interesting article on creative ways to promote your poetry in The Sunday Gleaner, written by Corine La Font.

Some very useful tips. If you haven't tried some of them, go for it, and let me know how successful you were. Sometimes, we have to mix things up a bit.

Self-Publishing Challenges

Thought I would share this New York Times article on the challenges of self-publishing. If you have self-published, what have been some of your frustrations, challenges or successes?

Merle Collins' Grenada

Grenada's nickname is the spice island, and it is the most southerly of the Windward Islands. 1983 was a year of upheaval for this tiny Caribbean Island, as a result of the Grenada Revolution, followed by the invasion of the United States.

The Grenada Revolution Online provides a comprehensive background and timeline on the Grenada Revolution.

Merle Collins' writings contain themes of the island's political and social struggles. Below is just a small sample of Grenada's beauty.

Grenada

I would love to hear from my Grenadian friends their reflections on Merle Collins' writings, or any other aspect of Grenadian life.


Photo source: Google Images

100 Years of Jamaican Poetry

Jamaican poet, Yasus Afari discusses the Jamaica Poetry Festival, taking place today, and poetry in Jamaica over the past 100 years, in this Sunday Gleaner  article.

If you can attend the festival, please let me know how the experience was for you. Good stuff, Yasus Afari!!!

What Only He Can Do (For Usain Bolt)

I just felt inspired to write the following poem in honor of Usain St. Leo Bolt for his amazing success at the London Olympics. Usain, you made me, Jamaica, and the whole world proud!!

What Only He Can Do

The critics jeered,

die-hard fans cheered.

A confident young man

playfully as only he can

drew his crossbow

and like the wind ran.

Respect was earned.

Nuff respect due.

Usain did

what only Usain can do.

Copyright 2012 Yasmin Morais

Merle Collins

Merle Collins, Grenadian poet and novelist



Merle Collins was born in Aruba in 1950 to Grenadian parents. She is the author of the following works:

• Because the Dawn Breaks (1985)
• Angel (1987)
• Rain Darling (1990)
• Rotten Pomerack (1992)
• The Colour of Forgetting (1995)
• The Ladies Are Upstairs (1911)

Merle attended the University of the West Indies (Mona) where she majored in English and Spanish. For more information on Merle, check out her author page at Peepal Tree Press.