BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A young man who hails from Mc Knight has recently produced a book on poetry that paints the world from his perspective.
‘Through My Eyes’ is Dameon Lawrence’s first collection of poetry to the world and it is done with a twist. It is not the regular black and white paper material book, but actually a magazine-style 8X11 size book that is in full colour with photographs and graphics reflecting each poem.
Lawrence said the book was printed by Star Publishing in St. Lucia.
Lawrence said that he was always inclined to writing and recalled while attending St. Joseph Primary School the teacher asking his class to write a poem.
“We were given an assignment to write about anything, any imagination, any experience we may have had, and I wrote a poem called ‘The short man’. My imagination got into it…it was really good and my teacher asked me what book I got it from. At the time, I felt insulted and got offended; I didn’t realise it was so great that people would think it came out of a book,” he said.
Lawrence said that throughout his schools days and even after that, he was always told that he had a way with words. So, in 2008 he got the opportunity to share some of his thoughts with a large audience.
It was at a church convention overseas and Lawrence said he was so impressed with the way the event turned out and the warmth of the people that it moved him to write a poem about the experience to share with the attendees.
“I just put pen to paper the same night. Surprisingly, they had talent night the same night but I didn’t refer to what I had written as talent, but me just wanting to express how I felt. The response was overwhelming, I got standing ovation and they said I should write a book, but still I paid it no mind…I always second guess myself. People tell me it’s the way I express things; they either laugh or go into deep thoughts,” he said.
In 2009, when he learnt that a church convention would be hosted in St. Kitts, it inspired him to write another poem, which was also well received.
“I started thinking maybe there’s more to it than people trying to make me feel good. So I wrote a piece on Mc Knight, which is very dear to me. It’s living down to what people have it to be nowadays,” he said.
Lawrence said he shared the poem on local radio station Winn FM and he was later told about a monthly poetry outlet that he enjoys and which greatly motivates him to write.
“I love the atmosphere and I continued to grow and better myself…then I decided to take everyone’s advice and publish a book.
“It came with a lot of complications. A lot of challenges involved in publishing, especially self-publishing, but I’m going to tell anyone that when doing anything, do it to the best of your ability…that’s when you reap your rewards,” he said.
The book is now on sale at Pronto Gift Shop at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel and can also be bought by contacting Lawrence at (869) 667-7701.
Lawrence said that his future plans include becoming a teacher and writer, and he intends to publish a children’s book that is already completed, followed by a novel.
“I want to thank the supporters, thank God for giving me this gift, and I want to encourage those who have such desire and the gifts, to develop them and put their best foot forward,” he said.
Lawrence is 23 years old and is the son of Ava Lawrence, a former calypso queen known as Singing Venus.
