BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MAGUEDA JACKSON walks bravely to the microphone at the Island Xpressions (IX), once monthly poetry night which encourages persons to express themselves freely.
After introducing herself, stating where she is from and the name of the poem, she begins to read. She gets into character and reads with passion and confidence.
While reading, you will hear cheers and a little stirring. When she is done, there will be applause and questionable looks on peoples face as they try to digest what she just read.
“I think I enjoy watching the faces, of the audience during my performance,” Jackson told SKNVibes in an exclusive interview.
“I love their reaction. It’s usually a mix between, shock like, ‘Did she just say that?’ to ‘This girl is crazy!” Jackson who is of Kittitian parentage was born in St. Maarten and recently moved to St. Kitts from Anguilla.
She is the least bit moved by any negative reactions persons may have towards the type of poetry she reads. And what type of poetry can evoke such reactions? Erotica poetry of course!
However, she feels strongly that once a person is old enough to be exposed to it that nothing is wrong with erotica poetry.
“I choose to do erotica because of the taboo against it, because of the stigma, people think erotica is porn, but erotica is something sensual between a man and woman, something beautiful and I want to put that across so people will accept it.
“I do other poetry as well other than erotica, I also do poetry which speaks to the upliftment of women, or about the earth and nature, those type of poetry,” she said.
In terms of the feedback she said that some people have accepted erotica poetry and are more understanding and encouraging while others have not accepted it.
“I accept all feedback.”
She was first told about IX by local performer Masud Sadiki who visited Anguilla and stayed with her family.
Jackson had been writing poetry from a young age and was a regular performer at Anguilla Spoken Word before moving to St. Kitts.
“I fell in love with IX, my first experience was last September and it was captivating, the poetry, poets, the love, it was great.
“The crowd went quiet when I was finished. The only time I never received a shocked reaction was when I performed in Washington when a friend invited me to a poetry night, they accepted everything and cheered for me,” she said.
Jackson is also an artist and does various paintings that at times reflect her mood and she also makes earrings that are available for purchase.
“My personality, my style is different, I like to stand out and so I do arts and crafts,” Jackson said.
During her time in high school in St. Maarten, Jackson said she told the teacher that if she was looking for her she would find her in the Art Studio.
“And if I didn’t feel like going Maths class I’d go to the art room,” she said.
“The older I got I realize I had a deep love for art, beyond any subject that I had and I have decided to allow my feelings for Art to flow. The Art I do is more imaginary and abstract, how I see it, I portray it. My paintings are more of a nature theme and how I feel as a person.”
Her work was recognized by her former employer, Mr. Devonish who owns an Art Gallery in Anguilla.
She said that together they held an Art Exhibition in 2003 and are now held yearly.
She is hoping that she will be able to host an exhibition in St. Kitts displaying her arts and crafts with other artistes.
In terms of her earrings which are professionally hand crafted, she started making those since 2005 and along with crocheting various styles, she also makes earrings from glass beads and wooden beads and wooden beads.
