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

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