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I will never forget the first time I met the Hon. Louise Bennett. I was doing the poem âTrench Town Shockâ by Valerie Bloom for JCDC.
My drama teacher had wanted me to just walk out and start with the usual introduction of the poem and then to animate and get into it.
My drama teacher had wanted me to just walk out and start with the usual introduction of the poem and then to animate and get into it.
But as I walked out on stage and saw the light and crowd - I froze.
They then said by name and my school and the crowd applauded following which they said âbeginâ - again I froze.
I eventually did the poem and got a 70 I think - poor I thought to myself
They then said by name and my school and the crowd applauded following which they said âbeginâ - again I froze.
I eventually did the poem and got a 70 I think - poor I thought to myself
All my friends advanced and I didnât but you know who was visiting that day - the teacher herself.
She came backstage and she said in summation - a poem like that needs no introduction - bwoy yuh run out pan stage next time screaming woiiiiiiii cause a story you come fi tell!
She came backstage and she said in summation - a poem like that needs no introduction - bwoy yuh run out pan stage next time screaming woiiiiiiii cause a story you come fi tell!
Thereafter I always did Standard English poems - my go to was usually âTo the unknown non combatantâ - that was an easy medal along with a few others. Pronunciation was key more than theatrics and animation.
They were just not challenging
They were just not challenging
A few years later KC was selected to perform ina tribute to Louise who was visiting - it was a speech ensemble; I think it was for the national pledge...
Anyways afterwards guess who was backstage to shake the persons hand of who perform - yes u guess right!
Anyways afterwards guess who was backstage to shake the persons hand of who perform - yes u guess right!
So I reminded her of that time she gave that suggestion and she asked if I tried again and I said no - the look of disappointment motivated me
She said dialect should come easy think of it like an everyday art form; âbwoy ah you language dat!â
A hope next time a c u - U did it
She said dialect should come easy think of it like an everyday art form; âbwoy ah you language dat!â
A hope next time a c u - U did it
The next year I said sir - a already know the poem a doing this year and itâs Trench Town Shock.
He said Petrie, ya affi bring excitement to that - ah say sir - me ready.
We practice and we practice and we practiced but all that was in my head was the entrance - how to start
He said Petrie, ya affi bring excitement to that - ah say sir - me ready.
We practice and we practice and we practiced but all that was in my head was the entrance - how to start
You see when I ran on that stage from the wings before they could even call me name screaming:
Waia, Miss May, trouble dey yah,
Ban yuh belly, Missis, do.
Mi Ha' one terrible piece o' news
An mi sarry fi sey it consarn yuh.
I struck gold!
Waia, Miss May, trouble dey yah,
Ban yuh belly, Missis, do.
Mi Ha' one terrible piece o' news
An mi sarry fi sey it consarn yuh.
I struck gold!
I recall this story as I was cleaning out my old books and saw the score written on the paper 96!
Often times we have a platform that we can use to inspire but for some of us our criticism is only to destroy - never a comforting word thereafter or even encouragement.
Often times we have a platform that we can use to inspire but for some of us our criticism is only to destroy - never a comforting word thereafter or even encouragement.
As I was browsing I recalled this poem I did a year later -Dutty Tough- she wasnât there but I felt like I had to do one of her hers.
Of course I nailed it - and silently dedicated to her.
Today I remembered it as in her words - itâs relevant again!
Of course I nailed it - and silently dedicated to her.
Today I remembered it as in her words - itâs relevant again!
