BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THOSE generations which did not experience life in the reign of King Sugar will at least get a glimpse into the past, thanks to the cataloguing of poems penned by nationals of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis.
The poems, indicative of the raw and unbridled emotions and thoughts of nationals concerning their experiences and those of their forefathers and foremothers, were written in 2005, nearing the end of King Sugar’s approximate 300-year rule in St. Kitts.
A call was made by the Sugar Poetry Committee headed by Lorna Callender to “Let history record out thoughts and feelings on the story of Sugar and what it means to us”, which was answered by 27 poets.
According to a press release issued by Callender, the impeccably high quality of the artistry led to the committee to seek funding these poems “immortalised”.
Hot off the presses, for the viewing of current-day and future generations, is “Images and Insights of a Sugar Era...poetry of St. Kitts written during the demise of the Sugar Industry”.
The memento features not only poetry, but assists readers in envisioning life with King Sugar through the use of black and white pictures of great houses, chimneys, estate ruins and steam engines.
“The book takes the reader on a nostalgic journey through the care fields, recalling the sights, smells, sounds and escapades of our life with sugar, as children and as adults...It is hoped that every Kittitian and Nevisian family at home and abroad will seek to get a copy of this keepsake which chronicles the historical, cultural and creative record of our island country,” the press release states.
In his creation, ‘Images of My Grandmother – The Slave’, Loughlin Tatem pens, “She didn’t plan to be here roughed up, dressed in rags that sag from her exposed shoulder. See her chained to a tree in Palmal Square. She didn’t plan to be here; so hungry; her exposed belly burns. So weak she could hardly stand.”
Another poet, Agnes Morton, in sharing her ‘Memories of King Sugar’, wrote, “Too-Toot. The horn that woke the town from sleep at dawn told factory men that clock-in was six. Men walked briskly up the long road, or rode bicycles. There were few cars. Two or three together they pushed their pedals. Fitness and punctuality became their gold medals. Times were hard, conveniences few, for most the coal-pot worked magic. To finish on time was a boast...”
Other poets who contributed to the compilation of the book are Alpha Rolstein, Vance Bartlette, Glenroy Blanchette, Andrea B. Bowry, Sam Bowry, Michael H. Brownstein, Callender, D. Corel, Marguerite Foreman, Julie A. Gumbs, Angela Inniss, Calvin Jones, Valencia Kelly, Gail Liburd, Nakita Liburd, Dorothy Martin, Creighton Pencheon, Jeffery Phipps, C L Rawlins, Heidi Slack, Oliver Spencer, Everett Stanislaus, Mystic Taylor, Voices and Deidra Warner.
Callender and the Sugar Poetry Committee have expressed thanks to all who played their part in making the publication of this keepsake a reality.
The books, according to Callender, are available “in bookstores and some supermarkets” and persons needing more information about the book can contact her at sunyer98@yahoo.com Tel: (869) 664 1352/465 2066.
