The Spirits of Trinidad The shadows creep under the moon in the stillness of the night Living and dead both meet With whispers deep as the spirits walk the land The fright of the unseen, not quite alive nor quite dead By the lake of pitch darkness, where the night soaks de sky, The Soucouyant flies high with mesmerizing fire in her eyes, The unnatural shedding of her human skin, an evil but necessary pain for the emerging flame, which consumes and burns away those who dare to call her name Mama Dlo awaits, her glassy eyes reflecting the depth of the seas, Her seductive movements and swishing of her tail the perfect lure to captivate and conjure Where the tall grass bends and sways over yonder hill and vale A laughter like no other that never ends No faces to see, running, playing, wild and free As cheekily and hauntingly as douens should be Once upon a good Carnival time, eyes of burning fire Echo a wild desire in the streets Where the spirit of chaos comes to the rhythmic beats of the Jab Molassie drum With a brokenness of heart and a soul leeching of dark pain 9 | T h e I s l a n d R e m e m b e r s The La Diablesse roams, her hoof and hat Too late it entraps and haunts with carnal finality men who are driven insane by her seductive scents and charms For in this country, Trinidad, our land of paradise and not as you hear only of demise The spirts dance and laugh, a joyous celebration of legacy Heritage gold with a space and place for the soul to unfold The supernatural on the other side of the veil of past and present You just have to listen and be still to unearth the stories of the living and dead

Blood of the La Diablesse The beauty of the forest She glides like velvet in the glow of the moonlight A vision that steals your breath and a smile that beckons your death Her eyes like stoked embers, burning bright with prey in sight And hips sway seductively, her gait drawing you in Silk drapes her shapely silhouette Hair black as night and fairness of skin like milk Mesmerize men This honeytrap...lovespell…becomes a tempting hell La Diablesse, the villagers whisper The devil's daughter…her hoofed foot, a mark of the cursed Lures those foolish men who are enticed with wild hunger Blindly sealed to their doomed fate Her call and charm beckons them to paradise and peace Where torments and life's burdens cease But get too close Your soul the price The La Diablesse plays for keeps and your life Into the night she lures Never to see morning's dawn Lost forever in a grave so deep Her story, rage, shame and grief all fuel her revenge Only to be appeased by blood, never love To soothe her pain, your soul is her claim

Potential and Promises Back in de day... That's what dem mature people like to say Chile you ain't know what you have now What I would give to be in your shoes today The wasted opportunities you take for granted that I hungered for in my youth Bowed down with familial responsibility which left me a primary school dropout Helping ma cook and care for she five pickney and extended family The pain of a girl chile working and toiling in the cane fields Then relegated to homemaking My stifled dreams, not even my husband knows to this day Raising our children to be a mighty generation Leaves me feeling like I was only the mode of incubation Does my voice not matter? My potential and promise extinguished What hope do I have now when wrinkles crinkle my smile, wise eyes and tired hands? The unrealized potential and promise fades as the light in my eyes With the end near, they wither with every failing breath No one knows my potential for if given a redo in this generation Oh goodness gracious, hold on for this epic detonation with no limitations I would be a force to be reckoned with Accolades, honours and celebration doesn't matter Discovering the truest me is the realest honour

Growing up as a Trini Was as coulourful as can be From Carnival to Holi, Eid and Emancipation Such are the celebrations of our great twin island nation None can compare to the beautiful and unique flair That makes thousands flock to our shores for a glimpse of paradise Music, dance, people, street food and places All tantalize and hypnotize the masses A cultural explosion, the mix of races and religions Temples, masjids and churches open to those willing to answer the spiritual call in their respective parishes Thankful to my family and school life for aiding my tolerance, respect and education Making me jump for joy at celebrating our rich heritage and tradition Unlike the select few who would meltdown and experience a conniption I remember the sweet melodies of Pan in de Square, Scounting for Talent, Mastana Bahar and televised World Cup qualifying matches Goat races and great races have everyone on their edges And if you ever have to wonder, then you definitely need to try Pelau, roti, doubles, bake and shark and macaroni pie, Oil down, callaloo and the stews Not only to be enjoyed at Sunday lunches but the ideal meal for beach limes too With Saturdays designated for soups Best enjoyed with community groups Our natural diversity is easily identified Being a Trini goes deep and seeps into your pores if you spend enough time with one From the vibrant nightlife in Port of Spain, to the beautiful rainforest of the Northern Range, To the epic Pitch Lake at La Brea and the famous Waterloo Temple in the Sea, To the Devil's Wood Yard Mud Volcano in Princes Town Or just enjoying the water ferry to our sister isle from Town For a foray at Store Bay or Pigeon Point then to hop on a glass bottom boat For snorkeling and sea-bathing is de ting Forth George is a must, not forgetting the famous Caroni Bird Sanctuary and Little Tobago Home to our graceful Scarlet Ibis, Cocrico and precious flora and fauna Trinidad and Tobago is truly a gem…a nature-lover's wonder The ultimate Caribbean treasure An indescribable melting pot of sister nations, each holding their own Independence Day and Republic Day reignite our fiery patriotism The National Pledge, Anthem and National Song Said and sung reverently from preschooler to senior ‘Here
every
creed
and
race
find
an
equal
place, And May God bless our Nation'

The days fly past on our calendars Mindful or mindless...it all depends on our inner recalibrations January to December 2024 is now a vivid video reel of cinematic or apoplectic experiences Firing up the sceptics and raving sentimentalists Days, weeks and months that once filled us with anxiety and anticipation Are now behind us in reflection, appreciation or trepidation for 2025 Time and change...the only constants Our behaviours... the distinguishing variables of life's experiments A blaring reality check to our mortality, vitality and capability Supplemented with faith, drive, grace, sheer will, determination AND ACTION To conquer the fear, loneliness and inner saboteur Adds milestones in personal and professional germination with grandeur For that leap into the unknown is the greatest test of your purpose You know it...that internal compass which reveals your greatest click Deep breaths, small steps, revise and return to your vision and dream Sculpt and mould every decision with laser like precision You owe it to yourself to question the who's, why's, how's and when's Discernment at it's finest on the best fitting end No regrets at those who crossed paths All there for seasons and lessons Take it in stride as you leap and bound but never let ego and pride hound You are worth it however many times you have to remind yourself Let your actions embolden, empower and envelope you To be, do, think and live kinder as we navigate life in trial and error Reveals the best and most honourable character