Category: Books

Jamaica Update, June 18, 2021: The city’s hottest day, Trench Town blues, and an Uber surprise

June 21, 2021

Phew! What a week. We have been under a stifling blanket of Saharan dust for the past couple of days, and endured our hottest day ever in Kingston (June 12). The best thing to do is hide indoors in the daytime and come out to exercise etc. after dark. It has been an exhausting week. … More Jamaica Update, June 18, 2021: The city’s hottest day, Trench Town blues, and an Uber surprise

“Sickle Cell, Jamaica and Beyond” book presented to National Library of Jamaica

June 20, 2021

Professor Emeritus Graham Serjeant is one of those people from overseas who came to Jamaica “for a year or two” and ended up remaining for decades. I know a few of those! Now, in recognition of World Sickle Cell Day (June 19) the Professor presented two copies of his book of memoirs and thoughts to … More “Sickle Cell, Jamaica and Beyond” book presented to National Library of Jamaica

Remembering Tiananmen Square: June Fourth Elegies

June 5, 2021

A friend today shared some passages from a poem called “Suffocating City Square” from “June Fourth Elegies.” I have the book on my too-long, and rather muddled “Want To Read” list on GoodReads. However, this book of poetry by Liu Xiaobo, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 for “his prolonged non-violent struggle … More Remembering Tiananmen Square: June Fourth Elegies

Institute of Jamaica announces 2021 Musgrave Medal awardees

June 5, 2021

The Musgrave Medals, awarded each year by the Institute of Jamaica, did not happen last year, due to COVID-19. Last year was a cultural non-event in Jamaica, basically. But this year, they are on! I am especially delighted by Steven Woodham’s Gold Medal. A gifted violinist, he has never rested on his laurels and fed … More Institute of Jamaica announces 2021 Musgrave Medal awardees

Pandemic Poems, First Wave: Olive Senior’s fragments of last summer

May 19, 2021

Our first wave of COVID-19 in Jamaica was the summer of 2020. Almost a year later, we seem to be just creeping out of the second – and fearing a third. The summer of 2020, at least for me, was a slow recognition – a dawning – that life wasn’t simple any more. It wasn’t … More Pandemic Poems, First Wave: Olive Senior’s fragments of last summer

Book reviews loading…

April 27, 2021

I haven’t had much quiet time lately. Reading, and writing about books – and writing in general – requires a great deal of quiet time. Gradually, however, I will settle down and have three book reviews coming up shortly: two memoirs (autobiographies if you prefer) and one is poetry and poetic prose. Here they are: … More Book reviews loading…

“I See My Land”: Jamaica’s Poet Laureate Olive Senior on World Poetry Day, 2021

March 26, 2021

Our recently installed Poet Laureate, Olive Senior, has pledged to help foster environmental awareness through her poetry. She was guest speaker at this year’s World Poetry Day celebration organised by the National Library of Jamaica in partnership with UNESCO – a virtual event, of course. I am hoping that next year we will all be … More “I See My Land”: Jamaica’s Poet Laureate Olive Senior on World Poetry Day, 2021

ICYMI in Jamaica, January 26, 2021: The Mystery Plane Edition

January 27, 2021

This year is going to be warming up, according to my friends who do weather. It seems to be warming up in more ways than one. Our yard is turning into a dust bowl. We have had no rain since Christmas in Kingston. Other things are warming up too – the gently rising COVID-19 cases … More ICYMI in Jamaica, January 26, 2021: The Mystery Plane Edition

Watching People Die

January 23, 2021

All year, everyday, I have been watching people die. Die from coronaDie from gunshotDie from heartbreak….poor health, lack of health care, health complications, comorbidities and so called “old age” All year people have been gone too soon.Sun is shining but life is filled with so much doom All year I have been watching people die.…