Diane Browne’s Island Princess in Brooklyn (Jamaica, Carlong Publishers Caribbean), A-dZiko Simba Gegele’s All Over Again (Jamaica, Blouse & Skirt Books) and Colleen Smith Dennis’ Inner City Girl (Jamaica, LMH Publishing) have been named as nominees for the award. An initiative of the Bocas Literary Festival, held in Trinidad, the Burt Award’s aim is to … Continue reading Three Jamaican Novels Up For Burt Award
By: Denise N. Fyffe. Copyright © 2011, Poetess Defy, Denise Fyffe Sometimes she forgets herself And forget what she is worth She steeps low, giving more than she can afford; She is the mule you pass on your way Shouldering a burden That she has been left alone, to face; She is the cornerstone in … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Woman and Mother (For International Women’s Day)
Dutty Tough - by Louise Bennett Sun a shine but tings no bright; Doah pot a bwile, bickle no nuff; River flood but water scarce, yawl Rain a fall but dutty tough. Tings so bad dat nowadays when Yuh ask smaddy how dem do Dem fraid yuh tek it tell dem back, So dem no … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Dutty Tough by Miss Lou
By: Denise N. Fyffe. Copyright © 2013, Poetess Defy, Denise N. Fyffe I fine it funnie yuh see Fi foriengner a seh Usain Bolt a run inna Video game times Ah bwoy; Dem neva knuh we capable so Dem neva knuh seh a so we did a run fass from backra massa Climb di Cockpit Country … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Jamaicans a run fass fass, from we bawn
By: Denise N. Fyffe. Copyright © 2013, Denise N. Fyffe It’s another Thursday night and Thiaah’s is the place to be. By now the regulars are becoming fast friends. Patrons gather, poets prepare and the novices are on edge. My friends and I link up for a night that will either prove be filled with … Continue reading Jamaican Lifestyle: Gaining momentum, its Rhap.so.dy
By: Denise N. Fyffe. Copyright © 2012, defy, Denise N. Fyffe It’s Thursday, December 13, 2012 and this new Poetry Event, Rhapsody, was about to kick off at Thiiah's Juices & Organic Foods on Belmont Road. I decided to venture out as I am always looking to get a poetry fix and Rhapsody seemed intriguing. Rain … Continue reading A night of Rhapsody, Poetry and Wine at Thiiahs
By: Denise N. Fyffe. Copyright © 2012, Poetess Defy, Denise N. Fyffe I am seeing double, as Michelle Ann has no twin; My brain keeps flashing and signalling, Too much, I need a rest, this is boring. Week after week, lesson after lesson He keeps teaching the same old thing; I have learnt to … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: This Dreadful Class
By: Denise N. Fyffe. Copyright © 2012, Poetess Defy, Denise N. Fyffe Oonu see it, Dem yah storm yah no sweet. Mi wrap up cozy inna mi bed, Next ting mi knuh, Rain a fall inna mi head. Nuh sick it want to make me sickly, But one dime me nuh have, Afta me nuh … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Gustav Storm
Interviewed by Leanne Hayes for ARC magazine, Jamaican born Ishion Hutchinson talks about childhood, poetry, and his new collection of verse, Far District (2010), which was published by Peepal Tree Press in the UK. Hutchinson holds a PhD in English and Creative Writing from the University of Utah; his work has been featured in journals … Continue reading Jamaican Poet Ishion Hutchinson Interviewed by Leanne Hayes
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