ODE TO A DREADLOCKS DIVA
(for the late Mrs. Mairoon Ali)
Nadja Nabbie
University of the West Indies
If teardrops were words,
this page would be drenched in your praise
soaked in the testament of your enterprise
sodden and saturated with salutations,
Mother
Actress
Teacher
Friend
"Extraordinaire".
Enchanted with your charms
death stole you with a kiss,
when the world lost you
it lost greatness.
Dread locks Diva
you did not die with death
you defy its snare.
Your 'Holy Name'
endures in hearts, you taught:
"Education means power,"
a highway to success.
No tribute can contain your touch
no words manifest your light, dignity and honour.
Know you are missed.
TAKEN
Venessa Ramsaroop
Lakshmi Girls' Hindu College
Before it all was different now it's a tragedy,
Today I'm here; tomorrow I may not be.
Giving up and letting go makes me live,
It is this pain I take and my life I give.
Hurting, aching, reaching out but eventually I die,
The unforgiving cycle of life, so why should I try?
The burdens, the tears, the broken dreams,
They beat me down and never hear my screams.
Is this who I am? Is this my pitiful destiny?
Shattered thoughts of normalcy resound within me.
Even if it stops tomorrow and slowly fades away,
When I lay down at night the heartbreak begins to play.
Running away will never heal the wounds within,
Their words build bridges burning etching to my skin.
Life is beautiful and I must beautifully caress,
The discrimination will end someday so I can rest.
EXPRESSION
Tenisha Sylvester
Barataria South Secondary School
Soft, radiant, sun-kissed skin.
A small vessel with an outstanding soul.
You embody a voice that is enriched
With emphasis, passion and youthfulness.
You embody a character of many beings.
I saw you as a humourous person before,
And now I look to you as so much more.
A person to be real with because you give no less.
A person to be free with because your creativity has no boundaries.
You are 'one in a million.'
It would only help us both,
If you could see these words,
As they are copied from my heart into words.
For we stand at the door of friendship,
Wanting to enter into the classroom of affection.