A home, a haven, a safe place for poetry and poets in the Writers Union of Trinidad and Tobago (WUTT) emerged as a theme at the World Poetry Day celebration held on Tuesday October 15 at the Heritage Library, Port-of-Spain.
Guest speaker, University of West Indies Lecturer Dr. Paula Morgan, eloquently and movingly set the tone of the evening, when she complimented WUTT for its purpose and work, and encouraged poets and audience to preserve and celebrate poetry, while insisting on the achievements and maintenance of the highest standards of the craft of poetry.
Emceed by WUTT President Kasi Senghor, who tossed the printed programme out in the name of serendipity, the programme included southern poets Willi Chen, Rajandaye Ramkissoon-Chen, and Krishna Samaroo (WUTT secretary and 'criminal'). It also featured some unscheduled poets like Joseph Cummings who previewed one of his songs. Musician and poetic 'criminal' David Jackman was rhetorically powerful. Quite cute was 11 year-old Qui L'ana Greenidge. WUTT headliner, Paula Obe Thomas was very impressive as she accompanied herself on her guitar, while Harold Alleyne gave a solid performance with his skillfully crafted work. Rapso highlights were presented by Brother Book and Brother Resistance, the Rapso Master, who also expressed gratitude and commendation to WUTT. Other readers included Theodora Yuillerie, Cheryl Griffith, De Ann Dos Santos Maitland, and Cynthia Hackett.
Special commendations were accorded to Marina Omowale Maxwell, who thanked all those contributing to this home for creative writers. She also paid tribute to Lynette Hutchinson, retired Director of Library Services who passed on in September, and as Rajandaye Ramkisson-Chen did in her poem, Maxwell also paid tribute to the late Marguerite Wyke.
Anson Gonzalez was lionised for his contribution and was brought on last. Before presenting his poems, which were very well received, he announced the launching of the Web page Trinidadian Letters, which features commentary, fiction and poetry of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Trinbago Homepage, which features aspects of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as pages on Merle Hodge and Anson Gonzalez.
The evening ended on a warm note with promises of regular public poetry readings in future.