Louise Simone Bennett-Coverley or Miss Lou, OM, OJ, MBE (7 September 1919 – 26 July 2006), was a Jamaican poet, folklorist, writer, and educator. Writing and performing her poems in what was known as Jamaican Patois or Creole, she was instrumental in having this "dialect" of the people given literary recognition in its own right … Continue reading Jamaican Writers: Feature on Louise Bennett, Ms. Lou
Violence, is a common reaction for people bred in a volatile community. I am not used to it, nor am I trying to assimilate to such a culture. It is hard enough trying to consistently curb my own inclinations to such.
Its a constant war, Its a constant tug and fight; I keep here babies bawling morning, noon and night; All I here is bawling, bawling, bawling; All I here is crying, crying, crying; Tears and more tears But no one seems to care.
I hide my pain even from myself, until a tear escapes and so follows the rest.- Poetess Denise Fyffe
By: Davene Rowe. Copyright © 2010, Davene Rowe. Buttons and T-Shirt memorabilia of a man who lived and died by the gun Ironically with the words ‘GONE TOO SOON” engraved A glass chariot transports the dead in style reminiscent of a fairy tale life The blings and the mode of dress are no different from … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Ghetto Burial
INTERVIEW: A Chat with Louise Bennett (1992) Caribbean Writer Volume 12 - Lilieth Lejo Bailey Louise Bennett, a Jamaican folk poet and performer, has been instrumental in giving "voice" to the intellectual and cultural identities of the Jamaican peasantry. In using her art to record the life of ordinary Jamaicans, Louse Bennett has been recognized … Continue reading Jamaican Writers: A Chat with Louise Bennett (1992)
Dry-Foot Bwoy by Miss Lou ( Louise Bennett) Wha wrong wid Mary dry-foot bwoy? Dem gal got him fi mock, An when me meet him tarra night De bwoy gi me a shock! Me tell him seh him auntie an Him cousin dem sen howdy An ask him how him getting awn. Him seh, 'Oh, … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Dry-Foot Bwoy by Miss Lou
By: Louise Bennett Coverley Me glad fi see yuh come back, bwoy, But lawd, yuh let me dung Me shame a yuh so till all a Me proudness drop a grung. Yuh mean yuh go dah Merica An spen six whole mont deh, An come back not a piece better Dan how yuh did go weh? … Continue reading No Lickle Twang by Louise Bennett
Zinnn, whum! “What da hell!” I exclaimed, flying out of my sofa as all appliances and electronics gave up di ghost. I moved quickly to my living-room window and door to see what had happened outside. It sounded like Transformers and Optimus Prime had landed in my front yaad or di military had finally decided … Continue reading Seaview Gardens: The Rass and di light wire by Denise N. Fyffe
A ‘wukliss mumma’. One of those who open their legs to men for favours, have the babies and abandon them as soon as they can walk. Spitting out three children and now they crawl through the pathways of Seaview Gardens, constantly and at all hours of the night. I itch to write his story, to … Continue reading Seaview Gardens: Wukliss Mumma by Denise N. Fyffe
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