The Poetry of James C. Richmond

TRANSCENDING THE VISION

2007-01-07T02:12:00.000-05:00

TRANSCENDING THE VISION

(For Congresswoman Yvette Diane Clarke)

On the dawn of a new day, basking in glorious light
Flowering like a flowering mist
The sacred essence of history couldn’t resist
Sure like the sunrise, filtering through the night
Flowing with grace to the summit’s height
Signal hope of your people, in you they delight
Their songs to poetry like petals spread
Overflowing praises where-ever you tread
You are the epitome of a strong tower of a woman.

Ride the pebbles of fate, transcending the vision it makes
Nations awake! Nations awake!
Astride the sky, soar over the lofty heights as you rise, as you rise, as you rise
As we reflect and internalize
In poetry let me sermonize
Marvelous are the depth of your strengths and the breath of your wisdom
Stride on Brooklyn ’s Gem …………………
You are the Princess of the Kingdom
You are the epitome of a strong tower of a woman

Like the certainty of day
Like sun and like moons you brighten the way
You captivate…………
In the reach of your charm
Your genuine nature and mystique connects
With the sureness of steps
Your quiet deportment
Assured focus
In the straightness of your back
The flash of your smile
The lift of your head
You calm the storms
You are a strong tower of a woman to me.

God bless you.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

A Dedicated Heart to Give by James C. Richmond

2006-12-20T13:11:00.000-05:00

Site Update - "Live Chat" Now Available !!

2006-11-23T19:07:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone,This is just a brief note to inform everyone that we have now created a new chat room (a special thanks to Gav !!) which we hope you will all use ... For those of you who are unfamilar with chat rooms, it is a great way to meet people from around the world by having a "real time" conversation with them... You can talk about all sorts of various subjects or simpy view the online discussion... I would like to invite all of you to use this feature which I believe is a great way to connect with people from around the world...Thanks again to Gav as this would not have been possible without his hard work and dedication...Sincerely,JonoThe Mittelholzer Foundationhttp://www.mittelholzer.org

Book Reading & Signing

2006-08-11T11:49:00.000-04:00

PRESS RELEASE: OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH BY JAMES C. RICHMOND IN NYC !!!!

2006-07-26T13:45:00.000-04:00

James C. Richmond, Poet

www.jamesrichmond.blogspot.com

718-807-8491

PRESS RELEASE

‘ON THE WINDOW OF MY SKIN’
Poetic Expressions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOOK LAUNCH

Poet James C. Richmond in collaboration with JRG Fashion Café, the only restaurant located in the heart of downtown Brooklyn boasting a roof deck patio, presents the launching of his book, ˜On the Window of My Skin” poetic expressions on Thursday, August 3, 2006 at 6pm.

˜On the Window of My Skin” is a stimulating work written by the renowned poet in his inimitable style and clearly demonstrates his ability to fuse western and traditional cultures while fostering greater thematic understanding.

This book certainly hits the mark with both insightful and impassioned offerings and the publication is already being hailed as a winning page-turner. New York’s Caribbean Impact newspaper certainly gives it a thumbs-up, with its comment - ˜Masterful. Richmond displays a deep understanding of poetry that gnaws at the reader, leaving an electrifying tingle. The poet writes with vivid detail and awesome power. He is a literary Powerhouse...”

The launching of the book, ˜On the Window of My Skin” by James C. Richmond on August 3 at JRG will be preceded by a cocktail reception.

You are cordially invited.

JRG Fashion Café
177 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn NY, 11217
(718) 399-7079

ALANA

2006-07-14T13:36:00.000-04:00

Miss Guyana Universe, Alana Ernest in New York.

FETED IN NEW YORK

MISS Guyana Universe, Alana Ernest, was hosted at JRG Café on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn NY by Guyanese in the Tri-State. Among those who gave words of encouragement to the queen were members of the Guyanese Community including Consul General Hon. Brentnol Evans, Ms. Patricia Jordan-Langford President of the Guyana Tri-State Alliance, Guyanese Doctor Mitchell, poet James Richmond and Ms. Bonita Wolfe Woodhouse, President/Managing Director and founder of United Bridge Builders Mission, Inc. (UBBM) a non-profit organisation/foundation.

Several persons made monetary donations and pledges to the queen. The MC for the occasion was Mr. Rickford Dalgety. (Linden Drakes)

(Courtesy of Guyana Chronicle)

In Existence

2006-07-11T01:44:00.000-04:00

The word, the word, the word
Let the word fall
Listen to its call
Listen…… listen…….. listen
Let it bear fruit
From the womb of existence
To the fetus of strength
This word was the first
This word was before the existence of time
Listen to its call
This word would be after existence
Then it would continue
to exist,
to exist,
to exist...
In existence.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

I AM REVOLUTION SON

2006-07-06T11:40:00.000-04:00

I am coming with a flag in my hands …

A fist in my heart

A step of a tiger

A heart of a lion

With the key of the future

From the struggles of yesteryear I come

Like a rushing wind………

I come

I am revolution son

This City of misery knoweth no common alphabet…….

Only the drugs of the barons

The cloth of the Dracula

The AK 47 and the dagger

No oil, diamond and silver for me……..

No food

Only the pain of the hurt

The death and the dirt

The stench of mother earth

Like a rushing wind………..

I come

I am revolution son

Who do not see the dawn, will pay

Who do not see the sun, will feel

I am the today of your goal

Your heart and your soul

I am the statement of your people

The truth of a coalition

The third force and more

I am the alliance of your change

Not tomorrow for me……

I come

I am revolution son.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

James Richmond with Miss Guyana Universe at JRG Fashion Cafe in Brooklyn NY (Cont'd)

2006-07-05T23:02:00.000-04:00

(Courtesy of Roland Hyde Photo)

James Richmond with Miss Guyana Universe at JRG Fashion Cafe in Brooklyn NY

2006-07-05T22:58:00.000-04:00

(Courtesy of Roland Hyde Photo)

THE REVOLUTIONARY HERO

2006-07-05T18:25:00.000-04:00

‘Walter yuh dead, stay dead nuh…………’

And the dangerous late 70’s and early 80’s fly

And closed the masses eyes

There man live in buried truths

In the streets of the people where true revolution lies

Banditry and the neglected platform of interracial cohabitation optimized

Where the Rodneyite dies

Squandered fruits of misguided youth

Fools taught lies

Ignorance suffice and rise, still it rise, still it rise

Come revolution come

I am revolution son

Rodney the champion

Rodney the Revolution

Speak Walter of how we underdeveloped ourselves

Speak emphatically of yourself

We want another revolution

O let the groundings of knowledge gain at your sacred shelves

Tell the story of revolution and of the possibilities in themselves

Where lingering essence of marvelous light dwells

To this inherent death we must find the solution

Reeking havoc at our soul, come dispel

A day of reckoning must compel an upward rise, let us rise, let us rise

Come revolution come

I am revolution son

Rodney the champion

Rodney the Revolution

Poem by: James C. Richmond

Caribbean Heritage Month Celebrations at the New York City Hall

2006-07-03T19:08:00.000-04:00

Whispering Wind

2006-07-02T15:38:00.000-04:00

Whisper on my skin
Whispering wind
Start whispering all over again

Over and over again
Over and over again

In sudden gush, to my brain
The tantalizing feeling
Creates memory in empty space

Over and over again
Over and over again

Whisper, whisper, burning like fire
Whispering wind
Your love is consuming

Over and over again
Over and over again

Keep whispering Whisper! Whisper you turn me on
Up and down, round and round
Your whisper comforts my inner heart

Over and over again
Over and over again

Poem by: James C. Richmond

(picture courtesy of http://www.markshasha.com)

Chirping Birds

2006-07-02T13:57:00.000-04:00

Black birds, white birds, purple birds, brown
All the little birds chirping gather around
Little birds and big birds eat off the ground
All the little children love the chirping birds song.

Poem by: James C Richmond

DEMOCRACY YET!!

2006-06-30T23:04:00.000-04:00

We must shout democracy now

Do you care about people, people?

Got to know there is only one life

A man’s hope, on pins and needles

Sinking lower in muck and strive

Do you think we’re not in this too?

You must analyze; allow me to fight

A people’s pain cannot be misconstrued

A people in a dead night

We must shout democracy now

We must change this cruel legacy

Coming from the recesses of our life

We must change our future, a new destiny!

Of politics and strive

Hear!! I tell know great story

Of lies, murder, deceit, neglect

The story of our life

A task to direct

We must shout democracy now

Arising from the bones of our ancestors

Crying out from the bosom of death

Marching onward with renewed assurance

We might achieve democracy yet!

Man alone can stop this politics

MAN ALONE CAN STOP MY SWEAT

Man alone can stop both sick and suffering

Man alone must answer next

We must shout democracy now

Poem by: James C. Richmond

On The Window of My Skin

2006-06-28T21:46:00.000-04:00

I feel the pain
There!
On the window of my skin
Drops of rain
Where?
From up above it came
Water from the sea is not the same
There!
I see it now in midair
The impetuosity is so clear
Where?
It brings a misty season
And never divulges the reason

Poem by: James C. Richmond

Broadway comes to Brooklyn with ‘Till ah find a Place’

2006-06-20T16:37:00.000-04:00

A review – by Allison Skeete ~ Photos by Michael Hadaway Sr.

If you can't laugh at the pain of life; how about snickering nervously at the puns of a little temptation? ‘Till ah find a Place’, a play written by noted Guyanese playwright Ronald Hollingsworth, this was the first of plays he’s written and it remains his most popular. Hollingsworth, asks the audiences to put aside their judgments and fear about extending a helping hand and look at how friendship, can be defined and redefined for selfish reasons.

The pacing is terrific; the humor might not be for everyone but this is the sort of play where you sometimes laugh because you can't believe you just laughed or because you clearly can relate to a circumstance. It's not all dark, either. There's some well wrought physical comedy that causes unsolicited audience participation which prompted Rose October-Edun one of the performers, to laugh saying, she wasn’t sure she’d leave the building without harm after her performance. Throughout the evening many a laugh came from audience comments; this reporter must credit the professionalism of the cast which carried on without a hint that the audience may have been disrupting their concentration; none of them broke out of character; a most commendable feat to them and the playwright.

The key to the success of the humor here is that its main character Linden Lewis doesn’t look to winning audience's sympathy or laughing at himself; he simply tires to undo something he doesn’t want to accept that he’s done. After adamantly trying to convince his wife Roxanne that it’s never a good idea to have friends come to stay indefinitely because of crises, it’s never good to subject ’friendship’ to certain tests; Lewis falls victim to a man’s needs when his beloved Roxanne is away for an extended absence. Disgust and detest turn to desire and passion for Donna, the friend who finds herself pregnant and determines she’s going to become the new mistress of the Lewis home. Spurred on by a ‘sweet-boy’ lover Eddie and a need for betterment Donna sets about securing her position to wear her friends’ shoes. Played by Mahadeo Shivraj, Linden must revisit past indiscretions against Roxanne, played by Alisha Persaud, yet handle the pressure from Donna, played by Rose October-Edun and face hisbuddies Brian and Nigel who are supportive but wary as to the inevitable outcome; Raynor Ready and Trevolta Karran are aptly casts as Lewis’ buddies and stage new comer and spoken word poet James Richmond is comfortably cast as Eddie; this won’t be the last we see of Richmond on the stage. Racquel Cromwell, a Guyanese beauty who’s made her mark so far in beauty pageants, commercials and theatre production is cast well as the conscience of her sister Donna who she tries to convince to move on and leave the Lewis household, the message of retribution falls on deaf ears; …but to know the outcome make sure you catch the next showing of GarDen Productions of ‘Till Ah find A Place’… just remember ole people duz sey, moon ah run til day ketch um…

ROMPING AND ROAMING

2006-06-18T16:06:00.000-04:00

ROMPING AND ROAMING

My soul on smoldering fire

While my babe glides by

A twist and a turn

A up and around

An astronautic bounce

My songs to poetry she inspire

Whence romping and roaming like a butterfly

A twist and a turn

A up and around

An astronautic bounce

Poem by: James C. Richmond

Guyanese artists boldly carrying torch of creative endeavour

2006-06-18T12:55:00.000-04:00

Taij Kumarie Moteelall, James C. Richmond honoured in Washington DC

By Sandra Seeraj

TWO young Guyanese Creative Artists are boldly carrying the torch of creative endeavour forward and are presenting their unique talent on the artistic landscape of the United States. Taij Kumarie Moteelall and James C. Richmond have both earned widespread acclaim for their poetry and writing, which draws heavily from their Guyanese heritage.

Their works call to mind the deeply soul-searching prose of such stalwarts as Rajkumarie Singh, Mahadai Das, A.J. Seymour and Wilson Harris, iconic Guyanese poets who have left their indelible mark on Guyana’s cultural psyche.

They were both part of the recent Cultural extravaganza to mark Guyana’s 40th Anniversary of Independence, held in Washington DC and were each awarded for their contribution by Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States, Bayney Karran.

Born in Guyana and raised in the United States, Moteelall, is an award-winning Indo-Caribbean artist, activist and scholar. She retains a strong connection to her roots, and is actively involved within the Indo-Caribbean community. In 2002, the Mayor and City Council of New York bestowed her with a Proclamation for her stalwart contributions to the Indo-Caribbean community.

She is also a 2002 winner of the Union Square Awards for Grassroots Activism. She won this award as a co-founder of the Blackout Arts Collective (BAC), which is an arts, education and social activism organisation.

Through BAC, Moteelall has coordinated and implemented a range of grassroots initiatives aimed at achieving social justice across the United States. She has been instrumental in the organisation’s development in New York, and its evolution into a national organisation with chapters in 10 cities across the United States.

At the Cultural show, she issued a call to the races of Guyana to reflect, heal and honour the nation’s motto: `One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ in her intense and hauntingly evocative poem, `Eye to Eye’

When the world weighs down upon us

Drowning us—Raining retained sorrows

Will we hoist her weight with one hand?

When the bewildered road before us

Beckons us to believe in destiny’s maze

Will we stand and walk steadily with one leg?

When visions visit us in our darkest moments

Moving and making us see

Will we welcome ancestors, Gods and Goddesses with a steady stare

Gazing from a single eye as well as with two

Guyana has two hands / two feet

One Black / One Brown

Meeting in a remembered town

Divided and conquered by the crown

She has two eyes—

One shaped like Mata India

The other like Mama Africa

Can she hoist the heavy weight of the world with one hand

Can she run like the wind on destiny’s wing with one leg

Can she clearly conceive her course with one eye—

As well as with two?

Handicapped with one hand

Crippled with one leg

She blindly descends upon dependence

Strengthening imperial ties with benevolent allies

Shooting nuclear lies

Longing to link Guyana’s land and skies

With common wealth

When we are not the common kind

To be left without the wealth of a nation—

To call our OWN

Brothers & Sisters of Guyana:

How can we be born with sight and lacking vision

Open your eyes and realize
Western imperialism drew distance between man and kindness

Western remains reinforce a legacy of dependency

Pointing arrows to assign and confine Guyana’s children

To empty spaces – tracing foreign roots to find relief

Grief is sometimes given on a golden platter

While happiness true and rare – a diamond life

Comes from the weight of the world crushing down upon rocks

Hardened and petrified

We the people of Guyana

Must break out of the dark caves carved by colonialism

Escape a fated reality of fatality

Let our limbs stand strong and mighty

Remembering times past

From Cuffy’s Revolt

Cheddi’s Revelation

Rodney’s Vision

Martin: I too do not sleep to dream

But dream to change the world!

I and I wanna rule my destiny

Not rest in peace till WE die

Holding our heads high

Let’s put the proclaimed best on trial

Running destiny’s race mile by mile

Recovering our own space

We’ll beat the race of supremacy

Set seeds of unity

Reap the returns of domestic deeds

Depict true deliverance to descendants new

Winning the race of supremacy with unity

We will run long and strong with both legs

Hoist the heavy weight of the world with both hands

Strengthen our vision using both eyes—

To be ONE

I and I

I is we

We is me

Me is you

You is me

I and I

But, how can we see eye to eye

If we can’t look each other in the eye?

How can we see eye to eye

If we can’t look each other in the eye?

When will we see eye to eye
If we won’t look each other in the eye?


Moteelall poses with Ambassador Karran after receiving her award. Speaking briefly during the Award, she issued a heartfelt call for unity in Guyana

She is currently working on her first full-length stage play (Breathe Me In) and writing her first novel (Conflicting Karma), both of which impart the stories and struggles of Indo-Caribbean women.

Taij Kumarie Motelall is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts where she is the Executive Director of Resource Generation, a national organisation which works with wealthy young people, enabling them to bring about positive social change through the creative, responsible, and strategic use of their resources. The organisation offers a variety of programmes for these young people to explore how their financial resources relate to social justice and provides the tools for them to take action. It also offers forums to promote inter-generational dialogues about money, class, and philanthropy.

Moteelall attended Hampshire College in Massachusetts where she majored in History and Cultural Studies.

James C. Richmond is a prolific spoken-word artist/poet/actor who, through his poetry, “enlarges our comprehension of the world around us and helps us to grasp our cultural destiny.”

He was born and raised in Hopetown Village on the West Coast of Berbice in Guyana. He started writing at the age of seven. His writings reflect his deep and abiding love of Guyana and the Caribbean region where has lived and worked.

This love was evident in his presentation of `The Awakening’, excerpted from his series of poems.

Under the glorified rainbow sacred sky

Where glory called the worlds from on high

And covenanted to you and I

There with magnificence, God formed the earth - man to live and not to die ( before sin entered )

Far across the rolling plains and mountains high

Where the flowering Pakaraima roam

Perched Mount Roraima's dome

The flowing Valley of Crystal spread

Liberally overflowing love into lakes, waterfalls and the canyon's river bed

To bring from within the peace that mankind most felt

And bow to worship wherein Omniscient foot stool dwelt

Below the beast of the field graze where the memories of the Patamona tribe slept

Where Kaie hoped and wept

Where the Caribishi came and dealt

The death blow and themselves melted into history

This is the essence of my story

In this condition we languished, our vanquished spirits tarry

Soaked in blood and pain and brotherhood

Man against man, brother against brother - misunderstood.

Out of struggles known and unknown

Wickedness and scorn condoned

Ripping at the water ways of our soul - now gaze upon the beckoning white light even alone

A savior must be born to deliver

When the wings of change comes from constant prayer

According to Richmond, “The nation of Guyana seems to have paused in its progress…, consigning itself to space and has committed suicide.”


JAMES C: Richmond during one of his dramatic presentations

This reflection has given birth to the series of poems called, `The Awakening’ inspired by Seymour's "The Legend Of Kaieteur" in which Richmond seeks to inspire unity, progress and democracy … “so as to unleash the untapped potential of Guyana and Guyana's children”.

Before he left Guyana, he worked at the Georgetown Hospital, New Amsterdam Hospital and Fort Wellington Hospital respectively as a Multi-Purpose Technician in the field of Pharmacology, Medical Technology and Radiology.

Richmond, who now lives in New York, has published two books of poetry, 'Reflections of Today' and 'Where the Pomeroon Meets'. More recently, he has compiled a collection of his poems on compact disc (CD) entitled 'Emerging Sound'.

His awards include a New York City Citation, 2005, a Guyana Folk Festival Award, 2005, a certificate of Congressional Merit, 2001 and a Guyfesta award among others. At the recent event to mark Guyana’s 40th Anniversary of Independence, held in Washington DC where he received another award, Richmond brought to life another of his works, Like Amazon Rain I Dance:

(When.....yuh.....hear.....the.......drums.................)

Like amazon rain I dance

For the African drum becomes my soul

My tropical frame I now behold!

Jubilant and enchanted, revisiting time and times of old........

I dance the dance of an old African.

Like lightning in the rain I dance

For the Indian drum becomes my dream

And rose like a mystical streak, a vision unseen!

A vision of light, with ghungrus and sari................

I dance the dance of an old Indian.

Like clouds of fire I dance

For the cumfa drum speaks to me

Spiritual flames across the floor; resurrected and free!

I dance the dance of cumfa.

Like Amazon rain - lightning and clouds of fire I dance

For the masquerade drums awake my soul

My tropical spirit, like flickering lights unfold!

I dance the dance of Guyana.

When........yuh........hear......the.......drums...............!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Examples of Richmond’s work can be found on his web log at http://www.jamesrichmond.blogspot.com Copies of the CD can also be purchased on the web log.

Guyana Chronicle

James Richmond performing his poem,'Where the Pomeroon Meets' as he receives the award from the Guyanese Ambassador to the US, Honorable Bayney Karran

2006-06-10T15:53:00.000-04:00

(Pictures Courtesy of Ms. Sandra Seeraj)

James Richmond and the Guyana Ambassador in Washington DC; for the fortieth Guyana Independence Anniversary

2006-06-10T15:50:00.000-04:00

(Pictures courtesy of Ms. Sandra Seeraj)

Guyanese artistes honoured in DC by Sandra Seeraj

2006-06-04T19:50:00.000-04:00

`Equipped with the experience that nation-building is a tedious process which requires the dedication of a united population, there is every reason to go forth boldly into the future mindful of the examples set by our glorious predecessors who triumphed in the face of much stronger challenges.’ Guyana’s Ambassador to Washington, Mr. Bayney Karran in a message to mark Guyana’s 40th Independence anniversary.

By Sandra Seeraj

Members of the Diplomatic Community in Washington DC enjoying the showcase of Guyana's creative talent..

SEVERAL Guyanese dancers, poets, musicians and artists were honoured for their contributions to the country’s 40th Independence Anniversary celebrations in Washington DC, on Friday, May 26.

In an informal ceremony held at the Embassy of Guyana in Washington DC, Guyana’s Ambassador, Bayney Karran also thanked a number of sponsors, many of them Guyanese individuals and businesses based in the DC area and in New York, for their contributions. He noted that without these contributions, and those from several Government Ministries and agencies in Guyana, the event would not have been what it was. He noted also that the cooperation demonstrated by those who had contributed to the event, was indicative of the cooperation and togetherness among Guyanese at home and abroad.

The Ambassador was especially grateful to the artistes who had donated their time and effort to the successful production of a Cultural Presentation, held earlier that evening at University of Washington DC. Each participant and contributor was given a commemorative certificate in recognition of his or her effort.

The evening’s programme featured an array of Indian and African dance items, musical renditions, dramatic interpretations and poetry recitals. The large audience comprised Guyanese from several states within the US as well as several representatives of the Diplomatic Community based in Washington DC.

THE GRAND FINALE - Artistes `Cut loose’ onstage as African and Indian drums throb and pulsate.

The programme was organised and coordinated by Guyanese-born playwright and dramatist, Pritha Singh, and director of the Rajkumari Center, and popular Guyanese Dancer and Choreographer, Rose October. Both Pritha and Rose live and work in New York. They travelled to Washington DC especially for the Independence Anniversary celebrations

Among the many items on the four-hour programme were African dances performed by the La Musicale Dance Works of Washington DC, led by Susan Matthews Williams, and Indian dances by the Rajkumari Center of New York. Popular folklorist and musician, Wrickford Dalgetty, and pianist Hugh Sam, each invoked warm nostalgia with their individual renditions of several well-known Guyanese folk songs.

Jaspar Adams and Kwesi Ojinga, presented a reading of a poem, `I am Guyanese’, and two Guyanese-born poets - Taij Moteelall and James Richmond proclaimed their love and concern for Guyana in the reading of their respective works, `Eye to Eye’ and `Like Amazon Rain I dance’.

The curtains came down on the evening’s entertainment with a grand Finale Dance, in which all of the performers took to the stage and freely cavorted to the accompaniment of African and Indian drums.

Lady Sarah Lou Carter, widow of the late former Ambassador, Sir John Carter, was among the attendees at the Cultural presentation.

In his message to mark Guyana’s 40th Anniversary of Independence, Ambassador Karran envisioned that Guyana would continue to fulfill its potential, to invest in the creative talents of its youth and to promote a sense of shared values and commitments among its people.

“Equipped with the experience that nation-building is a tedious process which requires the dedication of a united population, there is every reason to go forth boldly into the future mindful of the examples set by our glorious predecessors who triumphed in the face of much stronger challenges,” he said in his message.

“As persons of Guyanese origin throughout the United States join in celebrating 40 years of independence with fitting pride, I take the opportunity not only to congratulate you, but also to express appreciation for your solidarity, your patriotism and for the contributions which you have been making to Guyana’s development,” the Ambassador added.

He also invited his fellow Guyanese in the United States to rededicate to the further promotion of progress, unity and development for Guyana and its people in the spirit of our national motto, `One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.

Guyana Chronicle

SCENIC GUYANA

2006-06-04T19:40:00.000-04:00

I am the vast rich and scenic Guyana jungle

Who Sir Walter Raleigh and Lord Nelson’s expeditions could not humble

That which conquistadors failed to stole

Where an Amerindian child played with gold

Where an old man far more wise

Blow his flute in soft songs to the sky

I am the Savannah land

I am the vaqueros and the tents where the Amerindian villages stand

I am the East coast and the West coast

In Guyana where the shining sun and wind blows

I am the Sugar canes, the rice fields, and the bauxite

I am Guyana, I am dynamite

I am the rivers, waterfalls and streams

I am Guyana, the place of many dreams

I am the mountains that form many lakes

The rain does come, but never earthquakes

We look for fame

But never hurricane

The cock crows to greet the dawn!

And to end my poetic yarn.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

THE FLOATING BRIDGE

2006-06-04T19:35:00.000-04:00

I rowed my boat to the floating bridge that spans Demerara’s river

‘Am still amazed at its length and grandeur atop the muddy water

From far and near big ships appear

And rush to see her near

Then glide betwixt her opening gates

Of that bridge that snakes –

‘Cross the waterways

From bank to bank with grace.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

SYMBOL OF MY HERITAGE

2006-06-04T18:03:00.000-04:00

I missed the symbol of my heritage, to me

My long loved Timehri

There stands Umana Yana I know my history

My blood, my anguish, I am a captive, not free

I am the Caribs, the Arawaks, this is Amerindian country

I am the past, the present and your destiny

Unrepresented, not protected, prosecuted continually

Came from that place called Atlantis City

And made my home in Guyana, the free

Crucified by Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana, I see

No place to go and no place to reside, I submit my story.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

STAR OUR WISH

2006-06-04T17:59:00.000-04:00

I mourn the lost years that we spent

In solitary confinement

Oh, my innocent embattled youth

A star our wish and ignorance our truth

On Percy’s bridge my struggles began

The youth of the land couldn’t fathom

The sentence the world society inflicted again

Though the hierarchy tried for fame

Jim Jones, House of Israel

The Catholics, Protestants and Israel

Wherefore convenience flourished the schism and ism

Even voodoo – ism?

The eloquent Boss

Like a flagship, starlets toss

Tried and tried again

But must accept the blame

Maybe the star was his wish

With his autocratic switch

Here and there people and animal soon discovered

Another land with more milk and fodder.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

A TIME

2006-06-03T01:07:00.000-04:00

This time was a time of speculation

This time was not a time of decision

This was a time of hoping

This was not suppose to be a time of groping

This was to be a time to remember

This was not to be a time in January or December

This time was anytime

This time was not to be another time

This was the time of time

This was not only to be the time but a time

This was the best time

This was not to be the worst time

This time was precious

This time was not considered a time to be religious

This was the time of pretexts’

This was not the time of caution for the sexes

This was the time of poetry

This was not only the time of pleasantry

This time was a party time

This time was not a sober time

This was a time to see!

This was not a time to learn A, B and C

This was a time of youth

This was not the time of truth

This time was the time of learning

This time was not a time of earning

This was the time that destroy generation after generation of children

This was not the time that destroy men and women

This was the time to come to the end

This was not the time to end.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

THAT‘S IT

2006-06-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

In a world

Where ‘sufferation’ reign

People live in hope

Thunder

Lightning and rain

Youth uses dope

People shivering from cold

And pain

Land of chaos

People

Of different races

And colour

Resembles us

You

Are nothing

Without a dollar

Or surplus

Hoping for peace

Not war

Praying for freedom

Praying for the stars

Afar

Things

That were foretold

Happening

Still

Some blind to words

Of old

So saddening

We are held

By fate

That’s it!

Poem by: James C. Richmond

IN A SPECIAL CORNER

2006-06-02T23:04:00.000-04:00

‘A poor man appears not to think

While it’s obvious a rich man wears cufflink

Poor man sings of redemption

Rich man gathers collections’

By James C. Richmond

Loneliness

2006-06-02T23:00:00.000-04:00

‘Am lonely
Can it be
Am remorseful?
Strange though
Twinkling feeling of hope around
Who can help?
With
Teardrops on my face
In a lonely hour
Forming a glaze
‘Am a loser
Say-
Be strong
Still though
Feeling so low
Loneliness feels
Like a throbbing inside
No one too near
To stand beside
Loneliness still
A longing to be
With a will
Happy

Poem by: James C. Richmond

A THOUGHT

2006-06-02T22:59:00.000-04:00

Your love is real
Let me stand tall
Just let me feel
Never to fall
Like a Giant

Poem by: James C. Richmond

FEAR

2006-06-02T22:51:00.000-04:00

A heart rending, ripping weapon
No play acting or playing a part
The ultimate care
To rid the monster
From your brain
The heart rending, ripping weapon
We all should know
When it grips you
It doth surely grow

Poem by: James C. Richmond

REFLECTIONS OF TODAY

2006-06-02T22:46:00.000-04:00

Its obvious few truly care

About other people’s fear

Some selfish

Some put on airs

Attitudes of youth so rudish to aged

To note down instances would take many a page

Some say I’m black

I want to go back

Some say I’m Indian

I’m twiced removed – I want to go to some other land

Some say I’m chiney

I got ‘nough money

But still, I ain’t going no place wha’ ain’t watery

Some say I’m a knight

‘cause I’m white

While some cry

Some satisfy

But still say –

This situation causing me to die!

Others say, stay

Some say

Me! No way

I gone to USA.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

POETIC SONG

2006-06-02T21:59:00.000-04:00

I rise up, I rise up this morning

And I sight the light

I sight the light

I rise up, I rise up this morning

And I sight the light

I sight the light

I rise up, I rise up this morning

And I sight the light

I sight the light

Man liveth long
according to his sorrow
according to his woe
according to his woe
I perceive

Glory to those
unsung angels
who brighten his day
bringing happiness

Tears run out my eyes

Rain fall from the sky
happy day to remember
happy day gone
sorrow return
in this poetic song

Woe to those
who bring him sorrow
who shorten his day
woe to those

Woe to those

Poem by: James C. Richmond

2006-06-02T21:37:00.000-04:00

OPPRESSION

“There can be no really pervasive system of oppression... without the consent of the oppressed” (Florynce R. Kennedy).

Such a cloud of op-pres-sion

Such a cloud of suf-fer-ation

So much ex-ploi-ta-tion, tears run out my eyes

So much oppression

Richer man, get richer still

A poorer, poorer

A wha a going on, in dis ya land

So much oppression

Got so much to say ‘bout Buxton

Got so much to say ‘bout Buxton, tears run out my eyes

So much oppression

A wha a going on in dis ya land?

Poem by: James C. Richmond

TELL ME WHY?

2006-06-02T21:12:00.000-04:00

Bigshots want to call the shots

By keeping the people down

By creating political confusion

By raising their salary and the people got none

Tell me why the children crying

Tell me why?

Tell me why the people protesting

Tell me why?

Tell me why, they criminalizing

Tell me why?

Tell me why the people against you?

Bigshots!

What about the family

Woe to their destiny

Check in their blood streams; unshed tears

What happen in the future

Don’t forget your culture

Tell me why the children crying

Tell me why?

Tell me why the people protesting

Tell me why?

Tell me why, they criminalizing

Tell me why?

Tell me why the people against you?

Bigshots!

Bigshots want to call the shots

Checking for their personal gain

Doing it brazenly without shame

Just to fulfill their selfish aim

Tell me why the children crying

Tell me why?

Tell me why the people protesting

Tell me why?

Tell me why, they criminalizing

Tell me why?

Tell me why the people against you?

Bigshots!

Poem by: James C. Richmond

A TIME OF DESTINY

2006-06-02T20:50:00.000-04:00

Independence came upon a midnight clear-

To this land we hold so dear

Freedom to chart our destiny-

Freedom to build our country

With prudence

Guyana gained Independence

From Great Britain

Guyana gained Independence

Our forefathers toiled and fought

To be free they thought

Even blood could shed

Even to be dead

A taste of freedom

Not ‘til Kingdom come

From Great Britain

Guyana gained Independence

Forward together

Forward forever

Marching in unity

To maintain our destiny

Each endeavouring

All achieving

From Great Britain

Guyana gained Independence.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

RUNNING BREEZE

2006-06-02T14:40:00.000-04:00

Into the bushes I went for shelter

Under the trees like the running breeze, I went helter skelter

Knowing if the darkness catches me home, my mother wouldn’t let me go alone

Where?

It was growing late but I had to keep a date there –

I stand under the wish tree at the centre of the field

Suddenly I hear, I hear the calling of my mother; like she is inches of my heel

Where?

Am I not here?

Into the farm yard I ran and upon the cottage door I bang

No! No! I can’t believe it

But – she is gone, gone, gone

At home I disclosed this to my mother

Thinking with mother’s love

I’ll forget

I tell her, tell father

And no other

But mother’s love could not fill the space of my Juliet

Days and nights passed

And down by the river I sat

Then on my shoulder some taps

Who is that?

‘Son why don’t you go home’?

‘No, for the rest of my life, I’ll roam’

Running breeze

Like running breeze

Running breeze.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

BELLE HARBOR/FLIGHT 587

2006-06-02T00:16:00.000-04:00

Oh Belle Harbor

Belle of the north

Your brave sons paid the ultimate price

Now to you our neighbor

Another tragedy in New York

May God wipe your weeping eyes

For Far Rockaways

Amidst this Twin Tower days

We morn your deepest loss

And salute the spirit of America

Yes salute the spirit of America

Oh passengers of this fateful flight 587

Oh families of all these brethren

As this is the motto, ‘In God do we trust’

For so tragic an event

We resolve never to relent

In our quest for freedom

In our quest for the Heavenly Kingdom

And salute the spirit of America

Yes salute the spirit of America

Poem by: James C. Richmond

A DREAM TO COME, TRUE

2006-06-01T23:51:00.000-04:00

That night, that night, that night

The night

Starts the same as always

But –

The brilliant brightness it now possesses

Brightens the rest of our days

Oh the Lord is here

He is here – alas, He is here.

No man can stop us now from going there.

Trumpets sound

Into my ears, the richness of it rings.

I look North, South –

And all about

Praise to the Lord!

I send it with my mouth.

The brightness still is here

And –

The trumpets sound is everywhere

Glad faces

From the ground they wrenched

Bodies of all races

Then I!

Into the sky

By the brightness

All are drenched

By the brightness

All are drenched

All are drenched.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

WE SANG

2006-06-01T13:47:00.000-04:00

The moonlight rebounds like starlight
Like candle-flies in full flight
Married to the white sand, the glistening white stones within
Like diamonds, those precious gems flickering.

Running, skating on card boards down the hill
We beat our feet in flight to the crest, our hearts delight to fulfill
And through the moonlit night we played
Until tired, sometimes, our enthusiasm fades.

Sometimes in the dark but specially moonlit night
We sang, "I lost my belt on a Saturday night.
Then continued to sing, " Brown girl in the ring...
And, " London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling...
Then to sing, " Ring, ting, ting, everybody hear dis ting
My girl fren' promise to give me someting
And the church bell ring
And the birds gon sing
But she promise to give meh someting, ting, ting."

Poem by: James C. Richmond

I CRIED

2006-06-01T13:43:00.000-04:00

(for Reginald James Richmond)

Each ensuing day
I pray
That I can see you again
Inside of me I feel agonizing pain
Again and again and again
No one can appease my grief
Not 'till life shall cease
Another tear to cry
Again and again and again
I shed no tear
I just stood and stared
My father
I cried inside
Again and again and again

Poem by: James C. Richmond

KNOWING LOVE

2006-06-01T13:26:00.000-04:00

I know you love me. Just like I do
I know you care, for our love too
But baby you have to realize
Love alone can't control

We need some reasoning in our life
We need some
Common sense and some sacrifice

In love with you, in love with me
We have to think seriously
So we can live happily
All our life you'll be holding me
Kissing you tenderly

We need some reasoning in our life
We need some
Common sense and some sacrifice

I know that you would always care
Of this I'll never fear
You are the only girl for me
Loving me I know you will be

We need some reasoning in our life
We need some
Common sense and some sacrifice

Poem by: James C. Richmond

HUSH AWHILE

2006-06-01T00:33:00.000-04:00

A man with dreams and vision came

To fight ‘gainst Colonial powers, for Guyana’s name

A titanic great and strong

Who toiled and toiled so long –

Yet with fortitude and poetic speed

‘Gainst those who conspired, he succeed.

A minute to give is not enough

Hush awhile

He fathered the Nation

Hush!

Hush awhile

A minute to give is not enough.

Your dreams enfold the clouds beyond Guyana’s land

The illustrious President Cheddi Jagan

Gone to the Caribbean, the whole world to see

The poet to say, ”The dreamer’s dreams enlightened me”

An epitaph to Cheddi

‘A stalwart of humanity’

A minute to give is not enough

Hush awhile

He fathered the Nation

Hush!

Hush awhile

A minute to give is not enough.

Poem by: James C. Richmond

COME SEEK THE LORD

2006-06-01T00:29:00.000-04:00

As we come to seek the lord today
Know that the blessings you seek, is just a prayer away
Just a taste and you'll see - His saving grace and might
Where mingling substance of marvelous light
Permeating night and day the same
Flowing from the Throne of Grace; ignites the soul again.

There the risen Christ beckons the weary traveler rest
For into the crimson flood, all sins are washed away the best

Once again with humble hearts our worship rise
And minds are stayed upon the love He supplies
Thank you! God yet again, for a Savior like Jesus
With Jesus as the anchor, no storm can disturb our rest - no storm can possess
Come seek and be delivered
Come seek, be remembered and be blessed.

By: James Richmond

Conversational

2006-06-01T00:12:00.000-04:00

ok: tell me more

and maybe I can let you soar

from the sweat of thy soul

drenched and ready to behold

to pluck that silken flower?

let the conversation be pure and sweet

dripping words that lips can speak

over the unclad regal beauty sleek

thence the clitoral subject for an hour?

then maybe tongue and cheek go searching?

though dancing, go passage - ing

for more millions of hours?

is it the beauty, is it the waist or the hips?

or is it the golden lips betwixt her silken thigh

tell me the truth, do you flaunt your lips

or flaunt your hips

or would you tell me sweet lies?

where the beauty meets the eye

where the waist sits upon the sky

where the hips relax and fly

i want to meet you there

meet me here and now

come and let me come – allow!

come deep and hard, come and let me come; discharge into the spread

an heir for the crown of my head; upon thy feathered bed?

why the tree gives off her weathered leaves

to come again in Spring?

but sure the summer clings indelibly to my mind

and everything

sure the wandering wind, shortens distance and freezes

in the winter

and I shall meet you again

amidst thunder or rain

amidst the dark of winter brazen plains

and I shall bring you tropical rain

drop upon drop to quench your broken heart?

ok: we shall dance where the sun meets the sea

where our eyes cannot see

over rough and rocky terrain

over smooth and lovely lanes

across tropical and flowery plains

then might we come to earth again?

there is a million ways to die

and there is a million ways to live

must not there be a million ways to love?

let the conversation be pure and sweet

dripping words that lips can speak

over the unclad regal beauty sleek

thence the clitoral subject for an hour?

then maybe tongue and cheek go searching

though dancing, go passage - ing

for more millions of hours?

is it the beauty, is it the waist or the hips?

or is it the golden lips betwixt her silken thigh

tell me the truth, do you flaunt your lips

or flaunt your hips

or would you tell me sweet lies?

where the beauty meets the eye

where the waist sits upon the sky

where the hips relax and fly

i want to meet you there

Poem by: James C. Richmond

SKETCHES OF A JOURNEY

2006-06-01T00:09:00.000-04:00

the voice

of the Black Man

talks about

columbus who came

to barter

to slaughter

as an indigent

to prey on the indigenous.

of Europeans who

took from

the American Indian

a daughter

then killed

a mother

a brother

and a father.

took away

freedom and justice

went to

Mother Africa and

turned slave driver

put man

woman and child

on auction

to make

more dollar.

man force man

to plant

sugar cane to

make sugar

to EUROPE

‘twas sent

for the King

and his subjects.

man lynched man

like they

crucified Jesus

their Saviour

man dressed in

robe and called

themselves preachers

misused and abused

the BIBLE

to justify

the slave masters.

as they would

they took

and plundered

they even took

my sister

my mother

and her mother.

then came

the uprisings

one after another

that pitted

the slaves

and masters against each other

now!

to live

like brother

and sister?

Poem by: James C. Richmond

James C. Richmond - Tampa May 1st, 2005 at 'The Concert For Guyana' flood relief

2006-05-31T23:43:00.000-04:00

James C. Richmond

2006-05-28T22:17:00.000-04:00

By Felicia Persaud

Hardbeatnews, NEW YORK, N.Y., Fri. Apr. 28, 2006: “I grieve … Your land is vast, full of plenty and your people hope. What tragic fate has betook you and left you barren. Of love, of the beauty and the freedom of existence.”

Those words from renown Guyanese poet James C. Richmond came back to me on Saturday April 22 as I woke like many to the horrific news that four more nationals – including a government minister – were senselessly slaughtered in the South American nation. The news came on the heels of the many other killings in recent weeks, that has put the spotlight on this country of less than a million people.

Murders like the Ronald Waddell execution, the Gazz Shermohamed killing and the bloodbath of February that took eight lives in one night in a tiny village on the outskirts of Georgetown, the country’s capital, have all stunned the nation.

But the Satyadeow Sawh, Rajpat Rai, Phulmattie Persaud and Curtis Robinson murders left many especially bewildered, since for the ruling Peoples Progressive Party/Civic, it hit so close to home.

I never knew Sawh, Waddell or Shermohamed, or the many more whose lives have all been taken coldly and callously by bullets. But for me, the reports of the horrific killings took my mind back to a dark period in my life in Guyana, prior to the Desmond Hoyte rule, where many lived in fear of ‘kick-down the door’ bandits, that robbed, raped and killed often.

I especially remember the infamous leader of the bandits, ‘Eyelash,’ who brought terror to the East Coast of Demerara and of the many vigilante groups that were formed in many communities by residents to help protect their families. I can still see the many steel doors that popped up all around houses to prevent such attacks and I can still hear my father detailing to me in military-like precision, the plan of assault and my role should our home be attacked by the terror squad.

Luckily we never were, but I know countless others who were; many of whom left Guyana almost immediately after, vowing never to return.

So contrary to the many comments and emails I’ve seen flashing around this past week, terror in Guyana is nothing new. What is new, however, is the sophisticated weaponry and tactics of the criminals, boosted no doubt by the lucrative drug trade that’s spilling over from neighboring South American countries.

And the economic plight of many in the country is providing the fuel for to rapidly make its way across the country. With many in the civil service and tactical services units so vastly underpaid, fast, easy money is no doubt tempting and it’s causing many to dismiss a human life as coldly as they would a chicken that they rear for a meal.

So what should be done? First off, the government and the opposition must desist from using these killings as a political ploy. There is no time for selfish politicking. This is a national crisis of enormous proportions that can only be solved by bringing in international help, especially to neighboring Brazil and Venezuela, while working together to devise a national strategy.

And targeting one specific area of the country while the government and the police throw around wild theories of a political terror plot is not a solution. The rising crime rate in Guyana is a social scourge of enormous proportion not some air brain scheme to steal the government. If that were the case, the entire cabinet would have been taken out already.

When Hoyte took over the government in 1985, he reinstated the death penalty and took a significant bite out of crime. Similar radical steps must be taken to send a strong message to those who take innocent lives without care but it must be substantially boosted by international firepower and aid.

Once these criminals are found, the death penalty that’s on the books in Guyana must be implemented to send a clear message that such cold-blooded assassinations will not be tolerated. Let’s get real please, identify the problem and not continue to be blinded by race and politics.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The writer is publisher of The Caribbean World News Network (caribworldnews.com), the only daily Caribbean Diaspora newswire.

Anthrax Scare

2006-05-25T15:19:00.000-04:00

Awakened from our sleep to watch upon a new reality

Across the land comes the anthrax scare

The media caught-up in its snare

New York Times, NBC’s Tom Brokaw’s office took the lion’s share

Postal workers wrapped-up with cautious fear

Our Congress and Senate too adhere

When innocent men and women died who inhaled

And resolve to defeat the terrorist

Yes resolve to defeat the terrorist

A man who live that man must die

Through natural disasters or acts of fate

See! This anthrax scare is deliberate

To frighten a Nation, to kill the spirit of America and frustrate

Only cowards hide to wage war, only fools can relate

The battle is joined to free the State

And cast the mad man upon the stake

We resolve to defeat the terrorist

Yes resolve to defeat the terrorist

Poem by: James C. Richmond

Letter of Reality

2006-05-25T15:02:00.000-04:00

Leaping through the open door

Right fist raised in defiance and pronouncement of death

Go curse the world

Enunciating right and wrong

Announcing the beginning of the scene, the scream will come

This salutation is meant to right the wrongs

And the perplexities of some

Across the world and under the eyes of the sun, where the obliteration prolongs

In a frenzy – in midair the search consumes

The sentence is meant to contradict

Will Nations and man with much to spare, rescue their hearts entomb

Remember the Negroid who were tricked

Shackled, abused, culturally lynched, enslaved, a people to expire!

The indigenous who were robbed of their rightful place

Carrying their dead to a higher ground, while dancing with painted faces by the fire

To call upon their God of courage and muster strength to save face

Like a lingering wind

Soon to draw upon typhoon wings

Strides that man made must never be rescind

Nor fall upon ages dark, for all were meant to walk like kings

Nor collude or conspire a Barabbas over Jesus of the Crucifixion

A Nation under judgment will never get a song to sing

And blood that was shed must be repaid to redeem a Nation

Wars and rumors of wars, pestilence and suffering

Brutal Taliban, Al Quad – Bin Laden and suicidal attacks against democratic Nations

Write again and then in words again, write again

Birth a song to right the wrongs

Like the slewing of Goliath, stop the shame

David the conquering lion of old standing strong

Now frustrated man, comfort thyself, the Omnipotent did predict a rescue of the Nation

Though perilous times must come, will come, must come, take heart and see His salvation

The oceans shall give of their dead

And mangled bones who fled

Must come bone upon bone, the bones shall live again, live again

Stand still to see the latter – rain

Poem by: James C. Richmond