Friday, October 06, 2006

Columbus Day Poem and Photo

This is a poem that I posted last Columbus Day. It was dedicated to the people of the Caribbean. I hope that you enjoy it and have a great weekend.




Oh, and how can I forget the plantains for NML, Geoffrey Philp and Guyana-Gyal. What is a more delicious way to celebrate the day when the indigenous people of the Caribbean discovered Columbus! *smile*

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

They should have covered him after they'd discovered him. Good homage poem to those brothas and sistuhs.

Stephen A. Bess said...

lol! I like that. I once read a piece by Jamaica Kincaid where she expressed her dislike for the history behind Columbus Day. I can't remember the name of it?? I'll have to look it up.

Gooders Girl said...

Columbus day is an afront to all people who were forced to toil in this land and it is a disrespect to the indigenous people of this land.

Only Americans celebrate this holiday -- thoughtlessly, and as a result I can't support it.....

But am going to carnival tomorrow though :)

My poem would read something like this:

Discover who?
Ah wi fin' yuh half dead white man,
Ah wi heal yuh, feed yuh and offer yuh solace white man

Discover who?
millions and millions ah wi did deh yah? How yuh dicover dis white man?

Yuh show bad face white man when wi ah show yuh a love. Dat ah whey yuh fi discover -- LOVE.

Yuh kill wi off wid onooh disease white man.

You murder wi when wi neva waan ben' to yuh will white man.

Yuh teif wi lan', rape mi sista, mi muddah, all mi fada a bredah white man.

Yuh kill wi reliegon white man an still ah destroy Muddah Earth white man...

Destruction a whey yuh name white man.

Dat a whey yuh sew an' ah same soh yuh a guh reap white man.

Wha mek?

Cah god nah sleep white man.

God nah sleep.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Gooders-
Now that's tight! I like that. I'm not so quick to find Jamaica Kincade's rendition now that I have this. Much Appreciated!

NML/Natalie said...

Great poem and an even greater pic! You know I love plantains!

Stephen A. Bess said...

NML-
Of course and I've just added your name to my list for a plate. :)Thanks for checking out the poem and have a great weekend! *wink*

black feline said...

it's good to remember our roots...and have a great banana day..lol

the prisoner's wife said...

bless,

that is another GREAT photo. i think...you're getting ready for your own showing. yes?

:)

how you been? good i hope. just checking in to say hello!

Stephen A. Bess said...

Blkfeline-
Yes, we must remember those roots. :)I'm going to fry me some good 'ol plantains up today.

Pwife-
Well, where have you been?!! I know, you've been teaching our children. It's good to see you. Everything is fine for me and mine. I wish the same for you. As for my show I'll let you know. :)

Anonymous said...

Love the poem! Powerful! And great picture. I love your photos!

Stephen A. Bess said...

UB-
what's up! I'm glad that you like the poem. You're such a good poet so that makes me feel good. Thanks. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Peace~

All Seeing Eye said...

Hi Stephen, Thx for passing by blog, i really appreciated it.

Nabeel said...

america is a she .. ohh yes because of the statue of liberty :) ..

Cergie said...

You did a good a great job since last time I came !

I'll come back to morrow, now it's late and i need to go to bed.

So.. You're interested with French poem !!! That's so lovely, Stephen !

Perhaps once will you write one (not too long), and I'll put it on my blog.
Why not ?

Stephen A. Bess said...

Cergie-
Wow! That's a challenge. :) I'll have to look into that one day soon. I'll let you know if/when I do. Thanks for the encouragement and sleep well.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

I had plantain again...this time cooked in coconut milk. I'm off to read your poem.

Stephen A. Bess said...

GG-
Yum Yum!! Sounds good. :) I still haven't tried your recipe yet.

Cergie said...

Stephen, i have even a better GREAT idea !
I'm so excited!
I read your poem for Carrabean people, and it's sometink exactly like that I'm thinking to.

I thought, it will be genious to ask to a French friend who has a blog of poetry (Lynn). She is Okay. One poem in English, one in French, one picture from me, and the post at the same time with links on the 3 blogs.

I have a pretty photo of a cemetery on the sea Meditteranee.
Important for us French, because two poets are burried there.

My friend always has inspiration from the sea.
If you aggree, if she agree, it would be possible to do something for the 1st of November.
Even if the two poems are speaking of completly different thinks, it would be geant to have the same photo as point of starting!!!
AHA ! IT WILL BE SO GENIOUS, MY FRIENDS !

I know that you are not afraid by a difficult subject.

Stephen A. Bess said...

cergie-
That does sound GREAT!! I would be honored! :)

Clarification:
You want us to write a poem based on the photograph that you have? You will then post the poems on November 1st with links to all of our blogs?

Reflex said...

Tasty plantains :)

to touch a unicorn said...

Great poem Stephen conquers up many lovely, colourful memories of my time in St. Lucia. :)
Sandy

Stephen A. Bess said...

I'm happy that you liked the poem. I don't consider myself a poet in truest sense, but I have much potential...poetic potential. :)

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