no two + ONU
To breathe
Stretch
Contract
The tingling of tips
as members
Imitate wrestling
Inside
Hands meet
as hearts tremble, ever changing
Our twinning
Spirits reach
like body
Open beyond limits
We move
Swept away we tremble as the energies mingle with our lives
expanded
Inside
– Ayanna Waddell
mask
face set
stillness is found below stillness. I reflect the still surface
stoic. fixed.
AGAINâ¦
darts pierce
frozen eyes
reflect
unchanged lines
hide the broken pain
joy, laughter, silent chorus
forever hidden
lies
truth
YOU, held back.
countenance: calm is below. Out
impassive … I remain stoic, unchanging.
– Ayanna Waddell
In exchange for your energy
It’s a curse
The thing that takes so much
You give and give
And also receive:
Stress
Frustration
Tears
Feeding chickens:
unloved
unworthy
incompetent
Examination:
Your desires
Your reason
Your value
Combat:
For life
Forces seen
Invisible
Desire:
Restoration
Time
Life
Journey:
You do
You have finished
Tumors
You accept bouquets with a smile,
You did it
you survived
Well done, servant.
– Keon Heywood
Rhythm of the dead
lessor
lessor
lessor
Bailo al ritmo de los muertos
Bailo al ritmo de los muertos
Bailo al ritmo de los muertos
I dance … (ritmo)
I dance to the rhythm of the dead
My bones, they shake
My skeleton, it is shaking
By clicking on the ritmo my soul takes
Click heels, tip toes
Arms rise in the night
Raise, beat, flip then hips
Shoulders rolled up
Swaying swaying swaying
Roll forward on the ground
Split sideways, rotate, then jive
A jerky rhythm
Beating my feet
Feel the rhythm, follow the vision
Dance⦠dance⦠bailar bailar
Dance to the rhythm …
Bailo al ritmo de los muertos
I dance to the rhythm of the dead …
– Sonia Yarde
KNews reaction
Plop! Plop!
The morning news is falling
Dragging feet,
Door opening, back bending
Door closing
Shrups …
Damn stupid politicians!
Rip off the nation
Squeaky chair
Uh …
Deep breathing
The pages turn,
What the hell?!
She poisons herself and the children
Poor angels
Lord, help us …
Ah …
Deep breathing
Another robbery
This time the owners shoot him
But he was a “good boy”
Ah …
Woman kills her spouse ?!
Well, it was about time!
One of them finally fought back
Eww a horrible attack
she brutal
Hey this is too much
You have to stick to sport …
– Carlene Gill-Kerr
What is Guyanese poetry in 2022? The nation’s poetry is, of course, long established with outstanding achievements and a recognized place in world literature. This international recognition was celebrated no later than December 2021, when London-resident poet and novelist of Guyanese origin, Grace Nichols, received the Queen’s Gold Medal for Excellence in Poetry. Significantly, that same honor was bestowed on her husband, Guyanese-born poet John Agard in 2012.