Something About Nesta

by Delroy Nesta Williams


There something about me
That I can't put my finger on
I'm hoping that you can tell me
Release me of this mystery
That keeps me up at night
I can't seem to get things right
I talk a good talk
But when I'm around her
I mess up all my words
I get so damn nervous
And hours later
When I'm all alone
I figure out all the right things I wanted to say
And every sentence that she uttered
Stayed etched in my brain
And plays over and over, like a gospel refrain
Honestly, she has the most beautiful of smiles
Formed by those beauty-full lips
That sometimes part ways
To let out that simple giggle
The one that makes me weak in the knees
She has that twinkle in her eyes when she speaks
She calls me all kind of names
Babes, luv, boy, and even bae
But I prefer when she raises her voice
And shouts Delroy Nesta Williams
Then I know to drop everything that I'm doing
And give her my full attention
Because nothing is as important
As giving her my everything
But her silence can also be as deafening
Like when she doesn't say anything
For hours at a time
Especially when I need her cool confidence to soothe my wondering mind
She's like love music blowing in the wind
On a rainy, cold night
She's the new moon's light
That eastern village that welcomes the sunrise
The beach that greets the low tide's wave
She just knows what to say
And exactly when I need to hear it
"Do I have to be spelled out?" she asked,
Sensing that I needed the reassurance
She's always giving off that allure
And if there's something wonderfully different about Nesta
Know that it is her!

Delroy and Nesta

Delroy and Nesta
by Delroy Nesta Williams

I’m caught in a dilemma
Cause she loves Delroy but not Nesta
She loathes the silent observer but loves the hard worker
Wants to see my actions but not listen to the poetic words I utter
My Lady likes the fact that I work with youth and toil the soil
But, can’t understand why I spend hours just writing
The poetry, the short stories
To her it’s a waste of my energies
She would prefer if I gave her that consideration
And not write poems that capture other women’s attention
She’s the jealous type that wants to be noticed
Delroy is aware but Nesta just doesn’t know this
So I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place
Cause Delroy comes with Nesta’s baggage
She sees it as excess garbage
So how do I split the two?
To her they’re so different
But in my eyes, Nesta is Delroy’s compliment
She just doesn’t understand
You can’t have one without the other
So should I even bother?
I just can’t choose between the two
They’re one in the same person
Not even an alter ego
Just an extension of me, like a shadow
To have Delroy, Nesta has to be valued
She thinks that Nesta is just fantasy
She needs to face my reality,
Delroy and Nesta is simply me.
To her Delroy is simply the loud confident type
And Nesta barely speaks his mind
Nesta is grounded while Delroy is the dreamer
She sees a future with Delroy but not Nesta
And it frustrates both of me
Because I can’t help her
To see both sides of me
The sweet, innocence of the poet
Versus the out-going, overbearing show off
That Delroy has become
Delroy has become too much
In comparison to Nesta; surplus
But getting rid of one will leave me inadequate
And then she will find a void in me that nothing else can fill
So she better learn to love us two
It’s either that or I’m out the door like yesterday’s news.
Lady, welcome to my world or just don’t enter the door
Because like it or not, you’re stuck with Delroy Nesta

Just smile

Just smile
By Delroy Nesta Williams 

I want a smile
But not just any smile, 
I want a smile so wide that I can see all your pearly whites. 
A smile so bright that not even the sun can outshine it, kind of smile.
I want the it’s so great to see you; it’s been way too long kind of smile, 
The smile that makes you feel oh so warm inside… 
That smile, oh that smile that can put hope in a terminally ill patient’s life… 
The smile that only a mother can give to her child kind of smile. 
I want the Sunday morning, God has abundantly blessed me smile. 
The it’s been a rough day but everything will be okay smile.
The thank you it’s Christmas dinner time type of smile.
The thank you I passed my exams with an A, 
So I don’t have to retake this class kind of smile.
The smile that says I can’t believe that just happened to me kind of smile.
The he kissed me unexpectedly kind of smile,
The one that sends tingles up my spine, kind of smile. 
I want a smile that says, it’s so good to see you, 
So now you go on and smile at the rest of the world 
So they can fall in love with your smile too kind of smile… 
Honestly, I just want the world to smile. 

Out of sight but not out of mind...

Out of sight but not out of mind!
By Delroy Nesta Williams

Feeling like a poor man
Running out of time
Living but not really alive
So much going on all around me
But no one to share it with
Can't see my reflection in your eyes
Or be the reason for your smile
Even your harsh words would be music to my ears
But the silence only adds to my fears
And compound the hurt and pain
That I will live out my life all alone
An incomplete feeling haunts me
My nightmare has become a reality
Wish I could go back to yesterday
And say all the things that I needed to say
Things I was to shy to utter
Things that pride made me swallow
I'm tired of the regret
Fed up of the faux quiet (calmness)
When I'm raging like a storm inside
My feelings I can no longer hide
I keep crying myself to sleep at nights
At the thought that I've lost your love
Conflict lives within my soul
An emotion I can no longer control
This numbness was simply pretense
Deep inside I'm raging like a boiling pot
I need to put an end to this, I need the hurt to stop
It's worst during the dead of night
When I've only got my thoughts and feelings
Then everything comes back to me:
How I ran away from love
How I was afraid to take the jump
And now I'm screaming, crying out
But I've got no one to blame
I've got only the scars and shame
Can't go back in time
Can't add reason to the rhyme
So I will just wallow in my sadness
And hope that with tomorrow comes a newness
But that's just wishful thinking
Cause you're gonna be absent from my reality
And so my sorrow continues
Because it's too late, too late
I've already sealed my fate
You are no longer mine
Because just like a poor man
I've ran out of time.

Poem from a Fan: Arnold Toulon

So I've gotten my first real fan mail, well actually it's a poem... from a Dominican Artist based in St. Lucia. He posted it after he read my latest poem, Walking Away - a poem I wrote to raise awareness about Domestic Violence as a means to get more women to speak up about the issue. The poem was posted in a Facebook poetry group for Dominican writers: Domnichen Poetic Circle. So here is the post from him:

Delroy.!.(.I never call you that.) -:)

So...... Nesta!!, (Is it a 'Marley thing?),

(sounds more like your poetry).

,I don't think I have enough words.

Your works have captivated me from the start.

You write from the heart.

I don't, and can't, rate you; just by your prose.

Your command of the language

Every DPCEE knows.

wIth anticipation,

we waiting.

To see what Delroy (Nesta) posting.

You give us the "ZOUK".

And remind us of our flag.

Alwin Bully designed it ...

I guess some kinda komee tee,, mus have signed it.

Of what it really means to be a Dominican.

You , to me are the best conception.

DEE,,,,,,

you may be a humble man,,,,

Most Dominicans are.

In this poetry business,

I think you are a Star.

Delroy ,I want to Hail you from afar !

Your lines are well laid

You Step up to the "bar"!

Don't exchange Diamonds for Zirconium,

These tomes you write are at the arch of decorum.

One more poem ,,,,,,

That's all I would beg.....

Something to think about,,,,

before I go to bed...

But I could do with the ones

that you've already sown.

No more 'block';

Now the trumpet is blown!

(Arnold Toulon 2012. St.Lucia)[?]

I'm proud of this poem... I'm gonna print it and frame it, so that I always remember...

Thanks Arnold, again...

40 by 40 - the updated list

A while back I made this list of 40 things that I would like to accomplish by the age of 40, check here for the list. I think it is time that I update the list, although I am not that close to 40, i'm only 26 years old, (lol, that's an inside joke)... so here is my updated list, which also includes suggestions from friends. Some of the things I had already achieved since the previous list and some are newly achieved (yay for me) and the rest are in the making. Those that i have done are in red. so here is my list:

40 by 40

01. Run with the bulls in Spain (I've ran with the dogs of Dominica)
02. Skydive
03. Climb a mountain. Any mountain! (too many, but Mont Blanc in France, Morne Trois Pitons in Dominica and The Pitons in St. Lucia were most memorable) 
04. Fly-fish within the Rockies
05. Visit the Pyramids of Giza
06. Scuba Dive at the Great Barrier Reef (i'm scuba diving at Champagne reef in Dominica soon) - look out for pics
07. Learn to play an instrument (no luck yet, i want to play drums though)
08. Swim with Sharks or Dolphins (i snorkeled and that should count)
09. Sing the National Anthem at a sporting event/ sing in public- Karaoke counts (i still can't sing)
10. Ride a Motorcycle (will definitely do this)
11. Write a novel or a screenplay (started but not yet completed, i'm such a procrastinator at times)
12. Snowboard in the Alps (well I did visit Mont Blanc and skied so that counts, right?)
13. Swim across/in a lake (Fresh Water Lake in Laudat, twice, almost died the last time, long story, but i will still do it again)
14. Unplug your television for a week (yes i did and i'm still doing that one, i completely shut out tv from my life, I use my laptop instead, lol)
15. Learn another language (parlez-vous francais?)
16. Kiss a complete stranger (a lady needs to help me out with this one, just come up to me and kiss me, i don't bite, well unless you want me too)
17. Run a marathon ( I MUST DO THIS ONE)
18. Help someone in another country (sent stamps and my poetry book to a collector in Spain)
19. Learn how to Tango or any other spanish/latin/cultural dance (i've got two left feet)
20. Bungee jump (nope, not doing this one at all)
21. Ride a dog sled (once i make it to Canada or Alaska, somebody buy me a ticket, please)
22. Create a piece of Art (I did that, didn't you read One Room Shack, if that ain't art then i don't know eh)
23. Volunteer for a humanitarian organization (yep, do that often)
24. Audition for a role in a play at the community theatre (got the part but the play never happened, writing my own though)
25. Stand up to a bully even if you are not the one being bullied (well i have spoken out against more powerfully people than me, i guess that should count, they were politicians though, but they can be considered bullies, lol)
26. Cook and/or Eat sushi (got pictures to prove it, in my pink apron, lol) pink is a manly colour okay...
27. Publish my book of poetry or two
28. Launch my production company and start on my plays ( I JUST NEED TO STOP THE PROCRASTINATION)
29. Get married (how could i forget that one)
30. Meet Pinky in NYC
31. Meet the Dalai Lama (i gotta make this work)
32.Visit India, Egypt of Ethiopia (i've been to the Motherland 3 times, the next time i am eloping to one of these places)
33. Do a book review for a stranger (working on that one)
34. Close down my Facebook account (not a chance of doing that one)
35. Have two children (need to breed, continue my surname)
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.

feel free to add more, suggestions needed please!!!

Nesta

The Escape

It's been a while since i've shared a short story in here and although i haven't finished this one, i thought it would be nice to at least give a preview. So here it is, enjoy:

What a day it was, yesterday. Climbing Diablotin was a serious challenge and I was feeling the after-effects. I needed that massage, if only I had taken Cassandra’s advice. I just wasn’t in the mood for all that chit-chat and frankly, I was having second thoughts about this relationship. I understood that she needed me now more than ever but I couldn’t help but be a little bit perturbed by the situation I had found myself in with her. To say I didn’t see that one coming is the understatement of the century. What that had started as a friendly flirtatious conversation during the lunch hour was bourgeoning into an affair of wild proportions. And although I loved being with her, I wanted no part of the repercussions and something told me I should stay far away from her.

But her needy voice and the way she always made herself available to me was a little more than I could fight. She would show up in the staff room just before my class every morning, leaving me love notes; sending me messages on my phone all day long. I had to delete them all as soon as I read them. My girlfriend was such a detective that even the slightest text from a woman warranted an FBI-type interrogation. Shana was on vacation now, thank God, three weeks in Antigua was my dream come true. Some peace and quiet for a change but she had found a way to trouble my mind from across the Caribbean Sea. She called every day, something six or seven times a day. She called my cell phone, the house phone, even the school phone just to keep tabs on me. That drove me crazy. She even had her evil sister spying on me, popping in at my home at odd hours with strange requests for sugar, butter and so forth. Her sister even adopted my car as her personal taxi having me driving her all over Roseau since she was afraid to get her own license.

To be continued...

Alcholic

Alcoholic (spoken word)
By Delroy Nesta Williams

Hi
My name is Nesta
And I'm an alcoholic
That flavoured, fermented drink calls to me
Wakes me up in the middle of the night
And says come, come Nesta take a sip
And before I know it, the bottle is empty 
And all that’s left is a pool of green, smelly vomit
Dyed from the walls of my throat and stomach. 

My name is Nesta 
And I'm an alcoholic
But don’t get me wrong
This isn't an apology
Not a cry for you to want to help me, 
But a scream for you to look around you. 
There’s a lot more like me than you think
But they’re so smart at covering up their habit.
The functioning addict, oh so slick
A drink here, a drink there
Mix it up with all kind of juices,
Put it in all kind of treats
Every occasion is a reason for a drink. 

My name is Nesta
And yes, I love to take a sip,
A shot, a throwback or just straight from the bottle. 
Sometimes I don’t even need a reason
I just wash my dreams down my throat. 
But nobody knows
How often I cry inside,
How many times I've tried
To stop!
But the bottle won't leave me alone
It always wants me for company,
Like the weave on a woman’s head
It has become an extension of me.

My name is Nesta
Oh yes, I love the drink
And Johnny is my very best friend
But we don’t take long walks,
Not anymore!
Because once he’s is in my presence
I can hardly function,
I can barely even talk. 
He takes me by the hand
Pours into the glass in my palm
And down my throat he flows
And before I know it
Johnny is no more. 

I am Nesta 
And I'm an alcoholic.
But just ran out of my AA meeting
Because there’s nothing anonymous about my disease.
I know fathers, mothers, politicians, pastors,
Doctors and even lawyers
That share the bottle,
That love the sugar cane juice,
That can’t function without it,
Makes them forget their world of troubles,
Makes them feel “comfortable” with their sins.
They can just pretend nothing even happened
And go on with their lives,
The bottle cures everything for the night.

My name is Nesta
And I’m just like them
And sometimes I pretend,
That I can’t even remember
The things I did the night before. 
But most times I just play dumb
My feelings turning numb
As I look into the eyes of my wife and kids,
And see nothing but disappointment in their faces.
I want to stop, honestly I do
But every night I keep running back to the devil’s brew. 

My name is Nesta
And I’m not the only one, 
There are millions more like me
And if you’re one of them,
The time is now for it to end.
Before the bottle becomes you
And no one can tell the difference between you two!

One Room Shack: A review of Delroy Williams’ poetry publication

A few months ago, I had a professional but small media debate with a Dominican columnist, Ian Jackson, about his article in the Sun newspaper entitled ‘Our Youths Simply do not care’. It became intense during a radio talk show where I even requested a recant from the columnist and an official apology t

o the youth of the island. Off course, he didn’t apologize, I wouldn’t have apologized either. But I made the appeal anyway. Now to get to the point, about a month ago I went to his place of work, the St. Mary’s Academy, to provide him a copy of my book One Room Shack. It is my debut publication and I asked him to do a review for his popular column. I was hoping that he would be professional and he proved to me that he indeed was. Let me say, that I had already had other discussions with him since our radio debate so we had already buried the hatchet, well whatever hatchet there could have been since I didn’t take anything that was said between the two of us personally but instead as two strong-willed individuals who had strong but opposing points. Below, is a verbatim of the column as appeared in the Sun, a few days after my book launch, perfect timing if you ask me.

The Review:

The title of this latest poetry collection is interesting; one could say even it’s an oxymoron as Delroy ‘Nesta’ Williams goes way beyond the confines of his One Room Shack to reflect, dream and even question rhetoric or philosophical in content, unveiling the rich potential of the youth leader.

Sometimes he admits being stuck not knowing “which direction to take” in life’s trials. He cries out in words from his soul even while admitting his “burden is mine alone to bear, but I’ll carry it with pride.” He searches for self, identity, love and meaning; he cries for love; he surmises that he ‘wished I coulda make it right’; or to the ‘Untitled’ he concluded that ‘maybe one day, when I’m old and gray, I’ll comprehend”.

Nesta is introspective and deep in his writings and sees a poem even in innate objects as the eye of a “Teddy Bear” who listens to his every complaint. He’s “never one to judge or caste blame” or make demands as others he once loved so dearly in his life.

Nesta’s ‘One Room Shack’ cries out for a listening ear, not just for his own sentiments but for the youths whose father have failed. “Sons slipping beyond rescue now mother cries… while father hides”. Indeed this is a reflection of our own failings as a society to be examples and be there for our sons, in particular.

In Nesta’s own words he craves a “time of seclusion” but wants to stand out; he wants his moment, to shine, “an opportunity to stand out”. Isn’t this the dream of every youth who picks up a musical instrument, goes on stage to perform, or engages in study or some vacation?

Ironically the poet acknowledges some uncertain but wants to “congregate” and be “invisible in the crowd blending in among the mob” in which he finds comfort. For amongst his peers the fears subside. He laments in ‘Tears’ which has been exhausted because there seems to be no more left to quench the desert of pain he feels inside.

“Life can be so cruel” expresses Delroy Nesta Williams; he says so many times we walk away in defeat when victory was moments within our grasp. Nesta can be direct or metaphorical as in dreams where “aspirations washed away by worldly erosion”. Deep stuff for a debut publication.

Nesta is one of Dominica’s youth who once headed the NYC and this seems to be an extension of his work in representing their thoughts, dreams and aspirations, in search of warmth, love, comfort, still elusive to the travelling man”. He finds solace, redemption in his ‘One Room Shack’ at least it’s a place where he feels safe, wanted, belonged.

The title of this collection is so appropriate; as I read through the pages I see it as a representation of physical living conditions of thousands of Caribbean poor families who want to escape win its borders but still find comfort in its confines, for after all home is home; it’s not necessarily a house.

Nesta’s ‘One Room Shack’ is full of contradictions. In his smile there are tears or in his deliberate approach as he evokes imagery and challenges a society to unravel and provide answers to the many of the questions that is tied up in his poetry.

Though an English publication, in ‘De Dominican Gift’ the poet explores the use of dialect in a commentary on the political issues of the day from ‘red, blue and green’ angles. Satirically, he concludes that all this melee and rift “is truly Dominican gift”.

Delroy ‘Nesta’ Williams debut poetry is self published just as many of us who started on this road to put our thoughts to paper. His writing talent goes beyond poetry; he was the 2^nd place winner of the Independence Short Story competition.

He dedicates the compilation in honour of his mother. Support him; it’s good work.

Note:
Ian Jackson is an established writer who has published numerous books of poetry and prose. He regularly contributes articles on various aspects of Dominican culture to local newspapers and other publications. His most recent publication is the book entitled “Lyrics and Melody: 50 years of calypso, 30 years of Independence”. Ian is also a popular calypso artist known as the Black Starliner.

I have the newspaper article posted on the wall of my bedroom as inspiration to continue writing... Thanks Ian...

Nesta's new adventures

I've been really busy lately, doing a million and one things and hoping to do them well too. Just in case you've missed me and wondering what i've been up to, i'm going to update you as I appreciate the people who read my blog, leave comments or just visit from time to time.

So what have I been up to? For starters i've been busy promoting my new book, the One Room Shack and i'm very happy by the positive responses that it has attracted. It's always good to get feedback and so I appreciate it and i'm very happy when persons tell me that they have enjoyed my work. Don't worry, One Room Shack will be followed up by a second book, Moods and Attitudes, i'm already putting the finishing touches on that one. I am thinking of including a few more poems in it before publishing in the summer of next year, just in time for the Nature Island Literary Festival. Be sure to look out for the book and off course, the festival as well.

I have also started a facebook page, to promote myself as an artist instead of simply having a facebook account. Someone mentioned that it would be a more professional approach to my writing and promotion of my work if i created a page. It's been created for just over a week now and I have just over thirty (30) likes, i.e. people following it's content. I am hoping to have it up to fifty (50) before the new year, baby steps I keep reminding myself. If you would like to follow the page, just click Nesta

In the midst of all that, I have also started a column for an online magazine, Da-Finest, do check it out. The column, The Chronicles of Nesta gives me a chance to broaden my readership and also tackle issues and ideas that I haven't done or didn't think of doing through my blog. I won't abandon my blog, not at all, this is my fir... well second love, behind my poetry off course. If you want to check out the column's latest entry and leave comments or suggestions, then click here: The Chronicles of Nesta.

There are a few more things that i'm working on but once they are concretized you can be certain that i will post an update here.

Thanks again,

Nesta.

Street Walking

So last night I was feeling bored and depressed and couldn't think so one of my friends suggested that I talk a walk. I went to look at a football game but 15 minutes after I got there the game was done.

So still feeling bored and depressed, I decided to walk through the streets of Roseau. I must reiterate that this is a normal thing for me, although I never really do it when I’m in such a down mood.

Roseau was quiet, as it normally is, with only a few people and vehicles. It was a perfect night for a stroll, or dwivay as we say in créole, except for the cold breeze that seemed to follow me everywhere. I started to think about everything and nothing all at the same time. A million thoughts ran through my mind and in trying to make sense of it all, I started to rhyme. I started to smile too, when I realized that I was creating a poem from my random thoughts. So I took at my blackberry phone, I never leave home without it and started to just jot down my thoughts and arranging them as I walked along the dark streets.

The poem is as much about my thoughts as it is about the streets of Roseau itself... Those of you who know the city at nights may attest to that once you've read the poem. So here it is:

Street Walking

By Delroy Nesta Williams 

Street walking got me thinking,

Got me realizing,
That everything in life isn’t as it seems
And though we may look for the good all around,
Sometimes only the negative can be found...
It's times like these that we need to be strong...
When we feel like our world is crashing down...
When your screams go unheard,
Everyone is busy is their own world...
How can this be my reality?
So much negative encircles my positivity...
Street walking is leading me to this unknown destination,
The beginning of nowhere,
Hope I end up somewhere,
Where my tears of words will find the tissues of ears...
And life begins to make sense again...
My sole request as I make it thru these lonely streets and dark alleys,
That life won't leave me lonely...
That someone will join me along my journey...
To hold me up when I get knocked off my path,
To give me a joke when I need to laugh...
I'll return the favour too cause I know you'll need me soon,
When life tries to upset your mood...
Street walking got me listening to myself and the sound isn't good,
It is like speaking out loud but drowned out in a crowd...
Street walking gave me a chance to exhale,
Now I can breathe freely, inhibitions out of my system,
Putting things in perspective, no longer dejected,
Street walking works and all is not lost...
All is well, out of street walking comes a story to tell

2nd place - not that bad

I keep surprising myself everytime I take a chance with my writing. Firstly, my book has been a huge personal success and i'm not judging based on sales but solely on the positive feedback that I have gotten from the people who have read One Room Shack. Now I find myself getting some awesome news on my way home today.

My aunt told me that she heard my name on the midday news. It's not a big deal to me as I am always in the news but lately I have been quiet, not really in the spotlight as before. She continued to tell me that I had won 2nd place in the short story competition. To be honest, I had even forgotten that I entered the competition. I did so without any thoughts of winning - expecting more seasoned writers to come away with the top prize - but secretly I wanted to win.

Well I didn't really win but I am still happy with what I have managed to accomplish, 2nd place isn't that bad and to think it was my very first submission in the short story competition, my very first short story too.

So here is the short story: Hair On My Chest - it was already available on my blog and I had gotten some positive feedback about it, hope that you enjoy reading it and as always, I would like some constructive criticisms if available.

Thanks again and do enjoy.

Nesta

N.B. the short story is actually an excerpt from my first novel, David and I, soon to be published... I hope

My First Poetry Publication... One Room Shack

My First Poetry Publication... One Room Shack will be available from next Tuesday August 02nd 2011 at a cost of XCD10.00.

One Room Shack is a reference to my humble beginnings and illustrates my challenging childhood. One Room Shack contains poems of love, hurt, poverty, inspiration, faith and love of country and people.

For more information please contact me at:

Free Expressions Production Company

56 Lime Street, Bath Estate

Roseau,

Commonwealth of Dominica

cini26@hotmail.com

1 (767) 225 6367/615 5881.

Tomorrow

finished this poem this morning but i had started it yesterday. I was looking forward to today and wishing for the bad weather to leave and for sunshine and my cousin told me "tomorrow isn't yours, you have no idea what it will bring" and this just sparked a poem. Hope my readers like it:

Tomorrow
By Delroy "Nesta" Williams

If tomorrow never comes
Why long for it so?
The day is never promised
To do as you choose.
It’s a gift to cherish,
If we see the light at dawn.

Unless you make it to the dark of night
What it holds remains unknown,
Until it is lived.
Tomorrow can’t be distinguished
From any other day
And even then,
The lessons of tomorrow
May just escape.
Only to reveal itself,
When you least expect.

As a witness to today,
Grasp the chance of the moment.
Worry not about the morrow,
If it comes your way
Because it will flee from your hold.
It just isn’t yours,
It’s always running away,
Running off to another day.

Even if it grabs your attention,
Tomorrow avoids staring you in the face,
Always evading the eye glance.
Tomorrow is the girl,
That you hug in your dreams
But have yet to hold in reality.

Raw Poetry; De Dominican Gift

I was speaking to my neighbour yesterday and talking to him about poetry, he is also a poet, and he said something to me that resonated and influenced my latest poem (wrote it last night). He said a poet must reflect his society and should also be able to speak for the people and about the people. In plain english, a poet should be part and parcel of his community.

So i got to thinking about my country and the hot issues of the day and this poem just glided out of the tip of my pen, off course i had to go back a few times and edit and realign the verses and so forth but i hope the final product does justice and speaks from the Dominican perspective. I also used a lot of Dominican lingo, not really the french styled creole, just our broken english.

So here it is:

De Dominican Gift
By Delroy “Nesta” Williams

Society in a rift,
Blue say is borboll
While red convince is a gift.
So much debate about de bin purchase
And who truly benefit,
Look I hear is campaign money dat trafficking,
An’ me neighbour say cocaine money dey laundering.
But as garbage bin knock down
Look fertilizer issue jump in de boxing ring,
But de poor farmer man, he eh talking
Cuz he love de handout ting.
Yes, de man love de "salt"
An’ he eh care who at fault,
Rubbish bin or fertilizer doh matter to him,
Or if de Big Man wrongly profiting
As long as is de Labour Party dat winning.

Now, Blue looking confident
But inside dey panicking,
An all de rest, dey afraid and shaking
Cuz dey know de PM cunning an’ convincing,
Too much psychology an’ philosophy.
De likle man eh understanding,
Dat wrong is wrong.
Yes, all borboll is borboll,
Whether red, blue or green
In de end is Dominica dat losing.

I cyah wait eh
For de next borboll to expose.
Yes, Boy everyday I listening.
Every morning I tune to Q,
To dat radio station, I man glue
From de moment I rise
Is Matt in de morning
An Saturday, between Me and You.
Till Election Day come and pass,
Then we go see who really win de race
And who come dead lass.

I doh care who win or lose,
Cuz it clear dey all de same
Doing de same damn ting
An one accusing de oda of cheating
But de sad thing is eh,
Dem poor people always along for de ride
Only seeing blue, green an’ red.
Boy, dey really colour mad or colour blind.
I waiting for de election meley
As society continue de rift,
Yes, dat is truly de Dominican gift…

Poetry in de Estate house

The Bath Estate Community Centre played host to some experienced players as well as the new crop of Dominica's poets on Friday June 12th, 2009.

Poetry shows, although still a niche activity, always recieves a receptive and appreciative crowd and from the first poem all indications pointed to a powerful, inspiring show. The Bath Estate Development Committee, through its energetic and powerful Vice Chairwoman, Mrs. Shawna Johnson ensured that all who made the journey on the night were treated to a wonderful display of word power.

With experienced acts and up and coming performers, the blend of of poetry and song, again left the audience wishing for more. Although simple in its set up, the show had a wonderful feel to it even with first time host Delroy Williams (me) dabbing in and out adding a slightly charged comedic aura to the proceedings. This was a welcome site at the Community centre which has seen its activities scaled down over the past few months because of renovation and improvement needs.

At every poetry show that I have attended or participated in, there has always been a surprise and that friday night surely didn't disappointed, instead it surpased expectations giving two suprise acts for a measly EC$2 contribution at the door. Medina Bellot, in her creole poetry, had the crowd locked into her performance, with not only her words but her facial expressions. There is something about the creole language that gets the crowd to really feel the performer and hang on to the every word. Clifton Lewis or Cocoa T, as he is popularly known even displayed his new book (Hidden Words of Love) and gave a powerful rendition of his love poems to the pleasure of the female audience.

Other noteworthy performers included: Reynold Gustave, Harry Sealy, Monelle Alexis and Tamara Lowe who gave an encore performance of her love poem. Songbirds Tasha Peltier, Royette Laurent and Tina Alfred also added a powerful element of love to the show through their singing. Poetry is truly alive in Dominica and its re-emergence as a powerful artform is definitely around the corner. This is especially so if groups like the Bath Estate Development Committee and the National Youth Council continue to give artists the opportunity to showcase their writing talents.

Nesta

Poem: life's education

My sister wanted a poem about school and I wrote one for her, not the kind of school she had in mind but everything that happens throughout our lifetime teaches us something so I took that as my inspiration for the poem. The poem may seem dark to you but I actually draw alot of hope from it.

Life’s Education
By Delroy "Nesta" Williams


There are no walls or blackboards here
And the lesson is taught after the class,
Though the teacher is omni-present
He’s still invisible to the carefree student.

This is a time of personal battles,
Where it seems the world determines the rules,
And just when you think you’ve earned the grades
With graduation on the horizon,
A new lesson from the teacher emerges.

A glimmer of your hope quickly erased in an instant
For two steps forward can lead to a hike from miles away.
There’s no room for petty games in this classroom
As the school is life long
And coronation comes after the grave.

Only death hands over the certificate
As a passage to true liberty,
This depends on personal choices
To a newness that can’t be enslaved.

Only achievable by the path trodden,
To and from the school of life,
But beware of the eternal detention
If you don’t heed life’s lesson.

Voix Dominique - Poetry Publication

The Dominican Diaspora ning group, through the esteemed leadership of Dominican Diane Corriette, has compiled a poetry publication, amply entitled Voix Dominique - An Anthology of Dominican Poetry.

The call for submissions was made a few months ago and I, along with other members of the online network, submitted two of my poems:

My Dominica (page 13 of 48)

Stuck (page 45 of 58)

There are also a number of other Dominican poets who have contributed to the anthology including:

Susan Edgar

Albert Williams

Kalinago

Ayanda

Panman

Ceasarina Paul

Voix Dominique is a collection of poetry put together by 27 members of the Dominican Diaspora Social Network. The book also contains artwork (including the front cover) created by Dominican Diaspora member Ronald "Baba" Deschamps.

Please feel free to send this book to friends and family or send them the link to this page http://www.uniquelydominican.com/voixdominique/voixdominique09.pdf

To join the Dominican Diaspora Social Network visit
http://www.dominican-diaspora.com/

Nest@

Poem: words of the nomad

Wrote this one yesterday, well I pieced it together from two small works I had and I must say i'm pleased with the final product, hope the readers like it:

"Words of the nomad"

Influenced by the many
but still my own man,
lots of people may speculate
but only I know who I am.
Those who feel that I can't
will soon find out that I can,
for no walls will stop me
no hurdles impede my progress.
I'm steadfast in my thinking
moving forward; always giving my best.

Don't think I am afraid,
or scared of anything at all.
Yes, I know that I may stumble
or even take a fall,
but i'm not walking alone
for my steps are guided
and my vision is clear
for when you think i'm in isolation,
I'll tell you plain; My Lord lingers near.

I know of the naysayers,
those who whisper when I walk pass.
Those who pretend to give advice,
at the same time predict my demise.
Tell them I am strong!
and as the breeze blows,
the sun shines and the rain pours
so my will to carry on.
My burden is mine alone to bear
but I'll carry it with pride.
I have smelled the aroma
and had a taste of life's coffee too,
I live my life for me:
for to myself alone can I be true...

by Nesta

I'm Stuck: Crossroads

Ever been stuck doing something and you couldn't figure out why and there was no reason in your mind. Well what started out as a situation where I couldnt understand my mental block ended up in my newest of poems. Although the reason I got stuck isn't really the theme of the poem but it addresses difficult, mental and physical "crossroads".

Stuck

I’m stuck
Between this rock and a hard place
I’m stuck
Which direction do I take?
I’m stuck
Left or right, back or forth
I’m stuck
East, west, north or south
I’m stuck
Running out of time, running out of luck
I’m stuck
This seems so right though I know it’s wrong
I’m stuck
Should I tell or just remain mute?
I’m stuck
Maintain the lie or tell the truth
I’m stuck
Because what I need is not what I want
I’m stuck
Now I refuse to choose, refuse to move
I’m stuck
Oh help me for I’m still confused
I’m stuck
Asking for, but refusing the help
I’m stuck
I; my own worst enemy, still my own best friend
I’m stuck
My insecurities will ruin my strength
I’m stuck, yes I’m stuck

by

Delroy "Nesta" Williams

I'm performing this one at the NYC talent show for Global Youth Service Day at the Community Hostels Inc (Grotto Home for the Homeless) on Saturday