Contents Editorial ……………………………………………..............………….… 1 My Heart by Patrice Charles ....…..………………...................…………….. 2 Mirror Image by Patrice Charles ………………..…...................…………… 3 The System by Randall G. Fulchan …………….….....................…...………. 4 Mindshore by Paula Obé ………..…………………..................…………… 5 I am Home by Anastasia Prescott-Clarke …………....................….………... 6 She – The Silent Voices by Shachi Srivastava (India)......................………….. 7 She – The Silent Voices cont’d.…………………….....................…………... 8 Spiritual Banishment by Randall G. Fulchan…………....................………… 9 Break the Silence by Delroy N. Williams (Dominica)….................……...…... 10-11 Shifters of the past by Randall G. Fulchan ………..................……………... 12 FEATURE: Gabriella D’Abreau……………………........……....……… 13-18 Untitled poem by Steve Hernandez ……………..................………………. 19 The Running Man by Steve Hernandez …………..................……….……... 20 Texture by Steve Hernandez …………………….................………….…… 21 Chocolate by Portia Subran …………………………......................……….. 22 Question the Sun by Warren L.G. De Mills ……………......................…….. 23 Question the Sun cont’d and Deception by Warren L.G. De Mills…….….. 24 Midnight by Paula Obé ……………………………….……………...…… 25 Storm Coming and Spiritual by Patrice Charles ………………………....… 26 The Trees by Toriana Vena ………………………………..………...…….. 27 Somebody told a lie one day by Ronell Nurse …………………...…….…... 28 Ribs and the Farmer’s Stepdaughter by Danielle Boodoo-Fortuné ...……..... 29 ‘Reel Film’ - Editor’s Pick: Jab In The Dark [Interview].……..……………. 30 Interview with Macfarlane Film cont’d. …………………...………………. 31 Exhibitions: Criatura by Danielle Boodoo-Fortuné …………………….……….……… 32 Sōl i by Annelie Solis …………………………………………...…...…….. 33 Sōl i by Annelie Solis cont’d. ……………………………………….......….. 34 Colurescape by Gabriella D’Abreau & Sarah Burrows ……….……….....… 35 Colurescape cont’d. ……………………………………………......……… 36 The Ocean and Me by Bernard Yawching ………………...………….…… 37 Poetic Vibes Arts Foundation Snapshot of Events ..….......…………… 38 Cascadoo: Voices Under The Trees …………………………….………… 39 Synergia Prelude ……………………………………......…………………. 40 Synergia – a fusion of Art, Jazz & Poetry Series …………....……….…….. 41 100 Thousand Artisans for Change – Trinidad & Tobago ……..........……... 42 Expression of Thanks …………...………………………………..…...….. 43
1
FROM
THE
EDITOR9
Poetic Vibes Arts Foundation® is proud to introduce you to our e-publication, ‘viBrant ARTS®’– your access to the creative work of some of the talented artisans we had the pleasure of interacting with, events we’ve hosted this year and more – to catalogue our digital footprint. This is officially our first of many; your keepsake from us to you. We’d like you to get acquainted with us as we continue our efforts to impact our society and help develop and contribute to our artistic community in a positive and meaningful way. We aspire to encourage vocal expression and stimulate creative minds; be a resource and support for young ‘fire-starters’ – the enthusiastic and driven artists of our generation and the next. We are also an online hub for those of you who desire to share your gift and be uplifted by the creative energies that inspire us, day by day. We welcome you into our family! In March of this year, we put out a call for poetry and art submissions to provoke thought, to spur discussions around them and to bring awareness and hopefully, change. Speaking of change, our featured artist, Gabriella D’Abreau is a visual artist from Trinidad & Tobago, whose love for colour (as revealed in her artwork on our cover) drives her passion. She believes that the ability of images to transcend the barriers of language is powerful. She is inspired by beauty and ‘the tangible act of creating’. We welcome you into Gabriella’s wonderful world of art. We also visited one of her exhibitions, ‘Colurescape’ - a collaborative exhibition with Sarah Burrows (artist), as well as two other art exhibitions we have fond memories of: ‘Sōl i’ by Annelie Solis and ‘Criatura’ by Danielle Boodoo-Fortuné. Our featured poem, ‘Break the Silence’ is by Delroy Nesta Williams from Dominica. Coincidentally, his titled piece was our theme for this year’s 100 Thousand Artisans for Change – Trinidad & Tobago global event, held last September 28th. On the heels of this peace initiative, Trinidad & Tobago had its film festival and the People’s Choice Award for Best Short went to Macfarlane Film’s ‘Jab In The Dark’ – a suspense thriller, which plays on the folklore character, the ‘Jab Molassie’. We are delighted to select them as our, ‘Reel Film: Editor’s Pick’. It is a beautiful thing to bear witness to flowers in full bloom, to changing seasons and the birth of life. In all of these things, what is principal is the evidence of creation. Without creation there is nothing and this is why we believe in the creative spirit; for if they be true to the call, they’ll lead the way. Everything happens in the fullness of time. The message is in the lyrics, the poetry, the art and the images portrayed through lenses, films and canvases of the artist. In the words of Abraham Maslow: “A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if (s)he is to be ultimately at peace with him/herself...”
Rachael N. Collymore is the founder of Poetic Vibes Arts Foundation which serves as an organization for the advancement of the arts and platform for artistic expression. As a writer, Rachael has used this medium to channel her creative energies to raise the level of awareness and standard of the arts in Trinidad & Tobago. She’s a member of the Circle of Poets of T&T, a Public Relations practitioner and Events Coordinator. She has written for CPC Women in Business, Arc Magazine and other publications. http://about.me/rachaeln.collymore https://www.facebook.com/poetic.vibes
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PATRICE
CHARLES
My Heart Where there’s a show of Love A Baseless Heart never stops to Ask where it comes from. Who needs it like the Sun But drinks from the Rain of memories that inspired mortality made real by flesh and blood. That is what is called My Heart.
Mirror Image Your mirror image could not surface for 6 years. As the dreams you held had Vanished. Could you not see that There is more to life than what you lost? For what is loneliness but A Failure to appreciate the possibility of happiness?
Patrice Charles is a native of Trinidad and started writing in her teenage years. Her poems are influenced by the natural world as well as spiritual, existential and introspective matters
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RANDALL
GERARD
FULCHAN
The System Trapped in a tormented world one seeks for relief. Bounded by all that surrounds only pain and sorrow is felt. Longing for Nonexistence, the world that we live in today, one slowly diminishes. “Distasteful are the ones who rule as they churn the bitterness of our inner soul�. 4
PAULA
OBE
Mindshore Paula Obè is a performance poet and artist, capturing images that compliment the moments of silence in her poetry.
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ANASTASIA
PRESCOTT
I am Home Breathless; I stand before you, Naked in heart as well as flesh; Breathless, I look to you, As your eyes consume my form; Do you see my truth? My fear, my bitterness, As well as you see my body, my skin? Homeless, I long to crawl inside of you And live in the fire of your heart, Homeless, I wish for days and nights of you, Endless days of lazy love and nights of trembling passion Do you know how long I have searched for you? Looked into eyes, held onto arms Hoping, praying, wishing…. That it was you? Do you know how empty I felt when I realized; That you were not there, that it was not you? Hopeless; I wandered thru deserts Of joyless, passion-less loves Looking for the light; your light; that illuminates my very soul I stood trembling in the dark, wishing for you, dreaming of you. Fearless: I stand knowing; Knowing you’re here, Holding you, loving you, Feeling you beside me, inside me, Surrounding me. Fearless: I Love, For without you: I’m Breathless, Homeless, and Hopeless With you: I am HOME.
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CLARKE
SHACHI
SRIVASTAVA
She -The Silent Voices Medium: Acrylic Painting with Poetry Description: The first stanza of my poetry speaks about the unborn girls who are killed while still in their mothers’ wombs, and then there are those who are boycotted by society, not given equality or freedom..but there are also those who are welcomed with open hearts and smiles..the lucky ones to be in the right place at the right time I guess. In the painting, I have used Red symbolic to Rage and Blue symbolic to a woman's Calm and affectionate heart. 7
SHACHI
SRIVASTAVA
Sometimes I am welcomed with open heart, Sometimes I become the soul of my family, Sometimes I am so not welcome that they make my soul depart, Sometimes I become the pain for society! They are born as blessings to a family, No one hurts them, the way they hurt me, They care for him in ways to a better human And yet he doesn’t respect me He kills me, he forces his will on me He finds ways to torture me Torment me for my entire life, So much that I start praying to god To not have me a girl in my next life To not have any poor soul get in a body of a girl. For she is not a human, she is a girl with a body for him to relish With lust, and with force..coz he has the right to live and I don’t. Of yes, I feel great to be the one to give birth to him I feel wonderful to be his mom I feel proud to have brought him into this beautiful world Only to learn the sad reality, That he is here only to prove he is better, he is stronger In ways that makes him a coward Who hides his true face in light And feels he has the right to disrespect me, Everytime he plays with the respect of a girl. He is no one but just a rapist! He has to be stopped with severity. For the day is not far when she revolts with gods, And doesn’t come to earth for adding beauty and life. Trust me that’s the day this beautiful world will sink And be flooded in her tears of suffering!
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RANDALL
GERARD
FULCHAN
SPIRITUAL BANISHMENT
9
DELROY
NESTA
WILLIAMS
Break the Silence You commit murder when you keep silent Every time you see injustice and don’t speak When you know that your little girl Is forced to rock on a grown man’s cock But you turn a blind eye And pretend not to see Because the man brings in the pay check And pays for your hair and your nails So instead you pave the way to your daughter’s grave When you pretend to not hear the screams Or notice that every night he leaves your bed And goes into the next bedroom instead You know what’s going on But you prefer to play dumb You’re just perpetuating the crime Adding grime to the slime Just because you think you can’t get another man So you give him the upper hand Even if it means that your flesh and blood Is covered in his stench and her own blood Because he forced her hymen, Her body isn’t prepared for the private parts of grown men. But you gotta have the fancy dresses And flaunt to all your family and friends While your daughter rots inside Her soul fading away to its end You’re just as guilty as the man How can you look into his eyes Tell yourself that you love him And allow him to rape your kin So while he stains the youthful days of your child You add insult to injury How do you look into her eyes
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And not see the pain How can you see her soul And not recognize the stains That his filthy touch has left If you won’t protect yourself At least protect your blood How can you allow this to go on? This isn’t what was meant By turning the other cheek Ordering your daughter to be submissive and meek So you commit the murder of your very own daughter Killing her soul by the minute and the hour Death isn’t only when breath leaves your corpse Death is when you turn a blind eye And show the one you should love That her peace of mind, you sold and he bought…
Delroy Nesta Williams is this issue’s featured poet. He considers himself a poet, although he has written a few short stories and articles. He started writing poetry at the tender age of 10 after being exposed to the art-form at the Dominica Grammar School.
At the inaugural Nature Island Literary Festival in 2008, Nesta performed during the open-mic session for new and aspiring writers and performers, where he received tremendous feedback and encouragement. As a result, he decided to place greater emphasis on his writing, particularly poetry. He has since participated in and organized many poetry shows and activities including the Many Moods of Love poetry competition and show, the Colours of Emotions, Word, Sound and Power and Lyrics Under the Stars to name a few. He has also performed for the DOMFESTA festivities during the Evening of Poetry and Drumming.
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RANDALL
GERARD
FULCHAN
SHIFTERS OF THE PAST 12
FEATURED
STORY
Gabriella D’ Abreau How long have you been doing your art/ poetry? I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. From the age of 5 or 6, I can remember imagining myself as a fashion designer drawing my visions in my copybooks. That’s something most people don’t know about me, that I was interested in fashion when I was younger. As I got older, I really began to gravitate to this idea of a hands on traditional means of creation. I always say that being an artist, is not a career you choose it is something that chooses you; you don’t become an artist you either are one or you’re not. It’s more than just a job or career it’s a part of who you are, the decisions you make, and how you see the world.
What type of art do you do?
What led you into this field?
Well I consider myself a visual artist. I do three main types of art at the moment: fine art - which comprises mostly of painting. But I also do more commercial art in the form of graphic design and illustration. I take commissions as well. My personal, fine art work is at times experimental and can be purely aesthetic or may be much more deep and personal, offering commentary on some topic. Each exhibit and project is different and unique and is fashioned by what moves me at the time.
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For me there was never any question in my mind that I would end up doing art. There were always a lot of naysayers who said you can’t do it and that the market doesn’t exist here for an artist to make art their permanent employment. I just knew, once I had made that decision to study art in university that this is what I wanted to do and there was no looking back, and that I would have to prove many people wrong along the way. My love of colour and the tangible act of creating is something that always has inspired my passion.
What inspires you? The world around me is my inspiration. I love colour – especially bright and bold colours. The idea that art can both provide an escape from the mundane and the monotony; and that it can alternatively reveal the world around you and force you to question it, continues to inspire me. The ability of images to transcend the barriers of language to me is so powerful. I am inspired by personal and observed experiences, by beauty and by my peers.
List a few of your accomplishments as an artist? What have you learnt?
Modest
• Working at a sleep away camp in 2009 in New Hampshire, I was in the fine art section where I got to “work” for two full months teaching art to young girls aged 9-14. I also got to direct them in painting a large canvas backdrop for their annual end of summer play. I will never forget that and what that meant to them. • In 2010, I had the exciting opportunity to intern at the one and only Society of Illustrators in New York. This opportunity was amazing; getting to rub shoulders with some great illustrators and to handle their work- was truly a learning experience. • In 2012, I single-handily pulled off my first solo exhibition, entitled HERSTORY, which showcased a body of work 2 yrs in the making. This body of work delved into personal and shared experiences of the female. It was a very successful exhibition which turned some heads and I was so glad about that, to provide an alternative vision for local art and to force viewers to be uncomfortable. The truth often scares us and it’s the artist’s duty sometimes to present us with it.
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Gabrielle D’Abreau This March I published my first children’s book entitled, "A Princess’ Journey". Written by Leon Joseph and published by Unorthodox Digital Publishing! I feel great that I have gotten my artwork in a children’s book, and a great one at that. We are using technology to publish this book both locally and internationally, starting with Amazon and that is very exciting. This is one of my dreams realised !
Describe one of your art pieces. Mother Nation is a powerful piece. The Scarlet Ibis position this piece within the local context. The piece depicts a woman on bended knee at the edge of a cliff, her hands are non-existent and she is lined with cracks. The feeling of the piece is at once peaceful, yet hides inner sobriety. This piece has a triple entendre. Mother Nation signifies the disintegrating , destroyed physical landscape , she is the Mother of our nation, our land, our flora and fauna; and her cracks suggests she has been destroyed by human hands. Mother Nation also takes on a more universal female significance as she represents the disintegration of woman in society: how we view her, how she is degraded through domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse and more. Additionally, as the Mother of our nation she manifests the disintegration of our social systems, in essence Trinidad is bearing cracks, we are destroying our nation. This sense of trauma is framed against the ironic sense of peace that this piece superficially presents.
Mother Nation 15
Gabrielle D’Abreau
What advice would you give to someone getting into the arts?
Ambrosia
Not to be easily deterred by naysayers. There will be a lot of negative people, my advice is to learn to tune it out, spend time with people with positive vibes. Oftentimes the most negative attitudes can come from your family and best of friends and this can be hard for anyone to get over but the best thing to do is to just have that drive to do what you love and to believe in yourself. Also, the most striking affliction of the artist is the overwhelming need to hold on to their own self-doubt. We are our own worst enemies sometimes. Work your best and have faith in yourself and your ability and you will certainly make it. My last piece of advice would be to avoid cliques. For some reason art cliques tend to be the common in Trinidad; what results is a fragmented arts community. The best advice I can give is to open yourself up to working with others and interacting with them, we would all be a lot better with a bit of collaboration- think of what we can learn from one another. Be able to take constructive criticism and learn to distinguish between just plain criticism and the kind that can really help you.
Do you believe the arts are supported in Trinidad and Tobago? If so, why? Why not? I think that the arts are supported but it is in what manner and to what degree that is more of a concern. There is a general “preference” both financially and otherwise for the performing arts, which are often not treated as art forms but purely as entertainment. As a whole the local population lacks and understanding or devalues the arts; with exception to those persons part of niche community that consists mostly of practitioners, friends and family of and then the few and far between persons who are actually interested in the arts. The “preferential” treatment for performing arts is seen in the kinds of events that are government designed, sponsored; or it can be seen quite simply in watching the new NAPA building and right next to the the Queen Victoria Institute, what we know as the Museum, which seems to be in a stagnant state- having not changed too much since I frequented its halls as a primary school student years ago. 16
Gabrielle D’Abreau It is evident however, that the problem begins in our education system, which does not favour the creative fields. Also, many people are under a strange illusion that to be an artist of any kind means one needs to be gifted with some sort of divine natural talent. This is a common flaw in local creative education. Whilst natural ability is helpful , being good at anything, even creative fields , relies heavily on learning and practice. It saddens me that we do not value our arts as they should be; as many may or may not know, all the greatest civilizations in the world hold the arts to high esteems. We should be proud of what is ours and claim it. What would you recommend to improve the lives of artists or the appreciation for the arts? More supporting of each other and working together to change the situation for the arts. If the government won’t educate we need to. Most persons who are artists hold down one or 2 other jobs, because they can’t support themselves otherwise, the market is there but it is not developed and so artists depend on other jobs for income and to support their passion. This highly decreases time that can be geared towards creativity. What we need is infrastructure for the arts, better arts education, and more avenues to promote our work. If the government is not making this happen for us, we need to make it happen ourselves.
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Birthingsm
Leave us with a few words of inspiration. Follow your dreams, and do what you love. It is an artist’s creativity that makes its culture unique!
Gabrielle D’Abreau
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STEVE
HERNANDEZ
Untitled When it rained in the town from which I came The water never ever ran down the drain for what fell down from the sky were great drops of blood as if the moon did cry Yet it was not the moon but angry tears of the sun whose solar winds did stir one tempestuous hum with gale force wings over lands and seas Hence the angry sun breathed on me When it rained in the town from which I came The water never ever ran down the drain
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STEVE
HERNANDEZ
The Running Man I try to remember who I am sitting here under this Boabab tree so many lies have lying lips like traps snapped upon my soul stabbed holes in the fabric of my identity dripping poison in my ear that all I hear are falsehoods like a jigsaw yet not even so for even a jigsaw has pieces I have nothing not even a memory these fragments are intangible invisible yet ever I see I am a running man those who see me misunderstand for I am running toward the end the end of time where another hour falls to the ground and what do I have Never the full measure that this cosmos with all its cosmetics may be wiped away that I may yet again come to the beginning the beginning of time to what is rightfully me what now appears to be is not so I hope not in what I now see for my true color my true cover is not fashioned from mere woven thread weak and meagre but of thought conjured into living matter a life giving spirit Light shining ever so brightly That severs what tethers me ever so tightly to this temporal plain 20
STEVE
HERNANDEZ Texture
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PORTIA Chocolate
SUBRAN
My tongue has grown tired of your taste, Pomegranate seeds, Chrysanthemum teases, Hints of cypress from your keeper’s grave. I sit quietly on the cold marble, Amidst the burning of the peacock cries, Eating this black sweet block you’ve always fed me, Hand to mouth, since I was born. Bowls of watery blood like sour cherry wines, Soften the chalky textures. Melting delicately on my tongue, The sweetness sedates my senses, Throws me languid, There is no more desire within me. I’ve grown tired of your taste, Your presence looming over me, Like the pure white flowers falling from The Acacia trees. I am weary of your company, Distant yet pervading, You stalk me, You stalk us all. You’ve fed us Hand to mouth with your sweetness, And on the day you tear away your supply Is the day we fall back, And sleep deep, Worms and dirt in our eyes.
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WARREN
LG
DE
MILLS
Question the Sun
Is reality really in a constant battle Like tides tossing and turning and breaking Against the shores of perception Or rather, is this riotous ritual Married to subjectivity You see...I’m looking for truth The ramifications of our rambunctious Rambling on philosophy, religion and human rights has left nothing to be believed Because the very point of deception Is that you don’t believe that you are indeed deceived A paranoia breaks out No-one knows what the truth is For what’s true for you violates me And what is real for me is but a shadow A smoke and mirror magic show A pathetic card trick to the greatest grandeur Of your faith....and so my rules must be broken To accommodate you I arm myself...your truth violates mine So lets not waste any time All infidel must be eliminated Unholy men will wage Holy wars In the name of holy books We will willingly do unholy things So that the word “truth” Would be wholly ours In these godless hours And another leader rises A fire from a spark A flood from unholy water To promote the idea of freedom Liberty to all as long as its within his Chambers...bounded freedom Masses murmur “What is he rising for. What is his truth?”
Liberty with its limits With a motto on a flag “Believe in nothing To offend no-one” An interesting proposition For we cannot settle on what The “truth” is.... All rules will be written “As long as no-one, violates anyone else’s rights to freedom, it’s not a crime” So lets burn every bible Break the heathen’s idols Tear up these Qurans and Bhagavad Gitas Shatter faiths of all who held on To moral standards and ethical codes They who don’t disturb anyone but themselves With their own rules and standards Taunt every fallible nature Through the power conscience All decisions are made Because those who have not yet found truth Are still searching or have given up At the expense of those who have. So lets burn some more bibles Ban every Holy Book In search of truth. Forget about factual evidences in history Portraying supporting stories and not theories Ignore the origins of the traditions we uphold up today Question everything and you will question the answers as well Doubt all truth and perceive your own reality So we become ideas and shades and apparitions our whole existence is left to interpretation
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Cont’d
WARREN
LG
DE
Question the Sun Cont’d Is reality really in a constant battle Like tides tossing and turning and breaking Against the shores of perception Or rather, is this riotous ritual Married to subjectivity You see...I’m looking for the truth
Deception If yellow is yellow and Red is red But one little fellow Has been misled To think that red is yellow And Yellow is red Then surely he’ll preach What has been said Then multitudes believe Because one little fellow Has been deceived But what if its real? What if red really is yellow and yellow is actually red And a long time ago We’ve all been misled?
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MILLS
PAULA OBE
Midnight
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PATRICE
CHARLES
Storm Coming
Spiritual
Sunshine centre halt your parade There comes upon you something of a darker shade. On your left grey soldiers
i don't need anything but this pen and this sheet of paper. A purely material existence in spiritual harbour. All the love goes to One Expression and Creation. Effortlessness breathes into My fingers to move like the Wind.
Marching. On your right dark spirits Swallowing. "Come, join us" they say "Let's give new meaning to a beautiful day." "Come, come heavy masses" "Let's gather around and not leave a light space to be found. “We’ll fight the beastly bright if they oppose us” “Just like humans there’s a war to be won.”
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TORIANA
VENA
The Trees Trees stand tall Above all things Not to boast but to fulfill a great responsibility To be a lung for the Earth A shelter to the animals To provide for the world great bark and bounty If we continue to take advantage Who would provide oxygen? Who would shelter the owls and the squirrels? Who would provide fruit? And the beautiful flowers? Be kind to trees.
Toriana Vena is the Founder & CEO of Project Vena which is all about the environment! The team includes Vena, her 10 year-old brother Vic & her family. Their mission is to save the planet through education, healthy living, & the reduction of their carbon footprint. Follow their journey on facebook.com/projectvena!
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RONNEL
NURSE
Somebody told a lie one day ~ Martin Luther King Jr To claim their Manhood through Girls raised by Men too distant To call their fathers. Because somewhere, At some time, Somebody told a lie. You know what they said? They said brown girls And brown boys Cannot be trusted Their language is too different Their music is too crass Their culture is too alien. So contain them, Control them, Teach them to be Invisible; imbue in Them inferiority And that lighter Shades mean superiority. That brown skin and Brown eyes are not Equal to pale skin And blue eyes. And even if black Don’t crack That crack is for black, So stereotypes read
As bibliographies And stigmas sit in Front rows while Relatives read eulogies Of brown boys and Brown girls. Because somewhere, At some time, Somebody told a lie They said I was not Born in Africa so I am not an African Even though I inherited Africa’s problems So therefore I am African and I am beautiful I am strange/unique I am equal to all men and I’m not on welfare, I’m not on crack, I’m not innately violent, I’m not in a gang, I’m not selling drugs, I’m not a misogynist I’m not a rapist And I’m not subjected to poverty!
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Even though Somewhere, At some time Somebody told a lie And even now Decades Later, We’re all still Paying for it…
Ronnel Nurse, 21 is an aspiring poet. He currently reside in Maracas St Joseph, Trinidad. For as long as he can remember he has always been a fan of poetry and the literary arts. but as far as writing goes, he has only been seriously writing for under a year now. life inspires him. every moment, experience whether good or bad is poetic in nature.
DANIELLE
BOODOO
FORTUNE
Ribs This is not a poem about the sound of my voice. This is a poem about ribs, and about how hard it can be to hold a body together. This is a poem about your last life, where you lived among the hard white trees, where the man with smoke on his hands held you, as though there would be no lives but this. Remember this: the night will not leave you. There is nothing here to outlive. Each time you wipe the earth from your wet heart, you find this poem happening on your tongue, hot, gritty and new. For it is hard to keep poems from claiming your bones, especially when you are prone to reckless memory. It is hard to keep poems from curling along your spine and blooming, especially when there is nothing to be had beyond your window but bricks and bright noise.
So gather your lives and keep them here: against your left lung. For you see, this is a poem about longing. It is not about the sound of my voice at all. This is a poem About ribs.
The Farmer’s Stepdaughter On evenings, she lies, back pressed to the road. Soft pitch swells beneath her heels, the blue sky crowns her. Somewhere, metal drags across the soil’s hot heart men’s voices crackle in the distance like burning grass. There is nowhere to hurry to, no circle of lonely earth to set down the halved seed of her name. Here is both home And nowhere. The world beyond her fingertips stretches sharp and green into the sun.
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REEL
FILM
Editor’s Pick: JAB IN THE DARK
Interview with: Macfarlane Film 2013 /ttff People’s Choice Awardees for Best Short Film
Macfarlane Film originally from the UK in London began in 2009 and is now based in Trinidad. The company is led by husband and wife team, Robert and Lesley-Anne Macfarlane. They are the 2013 recipients of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award for Best Short. JAB IN THE DARK is a suspense-thriller which is inspired by the carnival character, the ‘JAB MOLASSIE or Jab Jab’ (from the French word/patios ‘diable’ meaning ‘devil’). The Jab Jab is one of the main characters in Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago traditional mas/ J’ouvert. The character is masked wearing horns, covered in blue or red paint, oil or mud carrying chains. Synopsis: A security guard tries to find his missing brother. He discovers a diary belonging to his brother, which talks about his discovery of a creature. He hopes that it will lead him to his brother but fears that the creature may have killed him. In the film’s trailer, the tagline, “The world should know of your people,” stands out. Perhaps it’s a call to re-visit one’s history. According to Lesley-Anne Macfarlane, the story is “a contemporary telling of the traditional character, the Jab Molassie. We wanted to take a contemporary story and marry it with something that we know in a different context.” The film is 36mins in length and was shot in ten (10) nights on the port of Port of Spain. It boasts of great cinematography, sound and lighting. To view our one on one Q&A session and trailer with the Macfarlane’s, click the following link: http://youtu.be/EZbOwNE972c 30
Overview • How many films have you produced? What genres? We have produced two of our own films, but have done many music videos and been involved in at least 30 other films. •
Any collaborative works? Here or abroad?
Jab in the Dark was made in collaboration with Free Spirit Media and Black Ice Studios. We have done other collaborations abroad with independent artistes and production companies like Tailor made media and nineteen49 productions. •
What's your focus, if any?
Our focus is on great storytelling. We are not solely invested in a particular genre as great stories can be from any genre and we never want to be predictable. We are also moving into more long form content such as feature length film and documentary. •
How is the landscape different from London?
The film landscape here is different in size of course but the passion is in abundance and the community here is far more supportive. •
Have other films been entered into film festivals? If so which?
We have had a few other films in film festivals in past years, screening at Cannes Short film Corner, Caribbean Film corner, TT Film Festival, LA film festival. •
What's your ultimate goal?
Creating stories that we care about. The film has been screened at: TORONTO - Caribbean Tales Film Festival LONDON - Caribbean Film Corner TRINIDAD - Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival It has also been submitted for Slamdance and Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, USA. For more info. on Jab In the Dark visit: http://www.jabinthedark.com
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EXHIBITIONS
CRIATURA
Danielle Boodoo Fortune. Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago
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SOL
I
Annelie Solis (Sﾅ考 i) 33
Bohemia Night Art Gallery 34
COLURESCAPE
Gabriella D’Abreau and Sarah Burrows 35
Bohemia Night Art Gallery 36
BERNARD
YAWCHING
THE OCEAN AND ME… You’re part of me inside of me Your waters rule the world With life beyond what eyes can see Currents rage controlled, Fish and plankton, eel and shell Have marveled us for millennia To think that we had thought so well How much we really knew ‘ya! From primitive man to Jacques Couteau Titanics discover your power As one by one descend they do Brave hearts that you make cower To fantastic worlds of great epoch Fathomed by their tales Of micro-organisms to rhythms of shock The brain-waves of the wales, But way above I look at you Rolling to the shore In awe, in thought at what you do To free my spirit more With salt and wind so deep within My nostrils trap your air Great shell ring, a hum, hum, humming Music to my ear….. You’re part of me inside of me Your waters rule my world With life beyond what I can see The essence of my soul!
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POETIC
VIBES ARTS FOUNDATION Snapshot of EVENTS
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CASCADOO
Voices Under the Trees Naeem Bilal Nzingha Job
Curious Ringo
Eddy ‘Daoriginal One’
Rachael N. Collymore
DjelibaJanique
Dwayne Morgan II
Patrice Inglesbirth
Paula Obe
Baba Ayinde Onilu
Kendell Haynes & Dareem Chandler Band: Djelibascity
Rohan De Souza
Nth Digri Poetic Vibes Arts Foundation coordinated the segment ‘Voices under the trees’ to conclude the Cascadoo CNV International Festival of Spoken Word in August, which featured Canadian artistes, Anthony ‘Nthdigri’ Bansfield, Eddy ‘Daoriginal One’, Wendy ‘Motions’ Braithwaite and Dwayne Morgan II from Canada. (V.O.C.A.L.: Voices of Canadian Artists across Latitudes). The festival was put on by Roots Oral Tradition. Photography by Steve Hernandez 39
SYNERGIA
A fusion of Art, Jazz and Poetry Series
Ongoing series held at Grill & Chill Restaurant Featuring Spoken Word artists: Naeem Bilal & Denise Charles Visual Artist: Shalini Singh Band Trio: Keeron Archie, Mark Brewster and Miguel Charles Photography by: Joshua Cazoe of 8Point Images and Rachael Collymore 40
SYNERGIA
Prelude Photography by Samantha Sinanan, lime.tt All other photography by Steve Hernandez 41
IOO THOUSANDS ARTISIANS FOR CHANGE TT
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Expression of Thanks This publication could not have happened without the contribution of those who dared to share their art and words with us. We’d like to express our sincere gratitude to you for believing in Poetic Vibes Arts Foundation®. We must also highlight the tireless effort, dedication and support of Paula Obe of Bamboo Talk Press, for the layout and design of viBrant Arts®. To Gabriella D’Abreau and Macfarlane Film, thank you for sharing your passion with us. We’d also like to appreciate, photographers, Steve Hernandez and Joshua Cazoe of 8Point Images; thank you for capturing the memories. To the performers at our Synergia series, DjelibaJanique, Rafiki Morris, Dean Williams, Sheena Richardson, Joshua Salcedo, Donald Job, Patrice Inglesbirth, Naeem Bilal, Denise Charles, Shalini Singh, Keeron Archie, Mark Brewster and Miguel Charles, thank you once again. To our affiliated group, the Circle of Poets of Trinidad & Tobago – Nicholas Sosa – thanks for representing and being there. To NALIS – Dominque Webb, Grill & Chill Restaurant – Roderic Felice and Marilyn Hunte – thank you for affording us the venue for our events. To the behind the scene team of friends, Navid Lancaster, Avah Atherton, Steve Hernandez and Rayhaan Joseph; our moral supporters, Rhonda & Rex Collymore and ‘Auntie Thea’ – you are the engine room that keeps it running! ~~~ Look out for our next publication on 100 Thousand Artisans for Change – TT 2013! THANK YOU for being a part of our artistic community and family! LINKS http://www.facebook.com/poetic.vibes http://www.facebook.com/poeticvibesartsfoundation http://www.twitter.com/poeticvybes http://www.issuu.com/poetic-vibes/ http://www.youtube.com/vibrantsoul1 Linkedin: tt.linkedin.com/poetic-vibes-arts-foundation/71/b83/550/ https://plus.google.com/u/1/114113517400112767719 Email us at: poeticvibes.pv@gmail.com
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Artwork by Gabriella D’Abreau
© Poetic Vibes Arts Foundation - October 2013