Rendezvous

Image taken from My Montserrat

Incited passions

On deserted sandy coves

Pan-seared delights on picnic blankets

Shimmering moments in the sun

Undeniable satisfying

Wild life, wet, salty breeze

Dearest memories

The unthinkable

Replenish lost energy

Brightly colored on

private narrow cays

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Poem Written by Brenda L. McCartney

Earth Day is 'here' – You Can Make a Difference!

Although it is forty years after the first Earth Day, Earth Day 2010 can still be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day.

Appended are a number of actions that you can take to make the earth a better place.

·        Pick up litter when you see it

·        Shop at local farmer’s market and buy organic food

·        Take shorter, cooler showers and use less shampoo

·        Install water saving shower head

·        Abstain from eating meat one day a week to curb carbon emissions from the livestock industry

·        Write to your local utility company and ask about their plans to offer a green energy programme using solar or wind power

·        Use environmentally friendly cleaning projects

·        Use a reusable water bottle and take a mug to work for coffee or tea

·        Organize a clean –up in your neighborhood

·        Use recycled paper

·        Plant a tree

·        Clean a beach

·        Use a reusable shopping bag for groceries

·        Turn off lights when you leave a room

·        Pay bills online instead of receiving bills in the mail

·        Recycle aluminum cans

You Can Make a Difference!

The revised excerpt was  taken from BNT Newsletter

Time to Think

Have your ever received a command from someone that you had to do but for some reason you dreaded doing it?  I have learned recently that anything (task, assignment) can be a joy. It is your frame of mind that is most important. As a friend once told me when you get up in the morning you decide if your day will be gloomy or a gift.

The poem was written one morning when my daughter insisted that I take her to beach before the sunrise.

For the first time you walk unafraid

On oceans sandy bed

As birds strum air- I’m amazed

Not pedantic nor impulsive … photographed instead

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Water shallow – banks serrated

Tricked, you toddle without fear

Kicking with delight – apprehension abated

Sunny skies reflect chicken wire near

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Mirrored in its body crystal clear

Underwater sand bright white

Sand and sea salty air

Sand trees and daybreak light

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Dress – a rainbow color outfit

Skipped on shore – clambers an abandoned boat plays

Mother in awe squatting pensive sits

Swap – She plays catch me with the waves

-

Mommy gasps with surprise.

Uninhibited she undresses – ocean splashing colder sprays

Beckons her mamma do like wise

We revel in dance to stretch amusing days

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Meandering lass unaware of how deep

Prostrate she deliberately swallows water

Portrait of confidence leap

See myself in my daughter

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Boat climbing

Sand Castle building

Water Skipping

Sand throwing

-

Intermittent strolls of reflection

She waddles further into its grasp

With an assertion of protection

Like flag pole her hands mine clasp

-

She stands as guide

Nearby plop – plop was the sound

A natural quickness preside

Stingrays in deeper water surround

-

Lure away from time

Water thrills, swash and babbles

Moments framed by sunshine

With a childish optimism – time cuddles

-

The Casuarina trees whistle goodbye

The birds alike congregate

Thoughts ablaze with sweet reply

Impositions of rigor will wait

–
Poem Written by Brenda L McCartney

Spark

Photographed by Alison Hixon

Inspired by a recent video by David Wseitz, I recalled my childhood memories of going to the beach.  We would go the beach any day of the week, any time of the year. For most of us it was Sunday afternoon after church. This was done sometimes because on Saturdays or Sundays most children’s hair was washed for the remaining week. Black women are very particular about going to the ocean too often because it is almost like it is criminal offense to wet their hair. I remembered fondly when my mom came to Montserrat to visit during summer time she would take us to beach after five o’clock every morning; there was something sacred about the thirty minutes walk down hill to the beach and watching the sun rise while bathing (swimming) in the ocean. We would lie on the beach with our backs against the waves waiting for the swash (tide) to come in and once the force of the wave’s crashed against our backs we would raise up our bodies. If the waves were stronger than we anticipated we would be caught in the tides of what we called the swash and backwash. Living on an island with black sand we always looked forward to going to the beach especially on hot sunny days. Our moments of dread were when we walked on the sand to the water but that did not dampen our spirits and love for the ocean.

My feet arch

Over your lighted coals

Your fine sediments

Iron filings like

Gripped

My magnetic sole

My enthusiasm scorched

A dark outline mirrors my body

Roaring thoughts

The ocean a blinding flash

Sparks flew from your body

-

I ran as the sea enveloped me

Soothing against the vibrating heat

The birds kept still

As they peeped from the trees

Awaiting cooler motions.

As we bathe with delight

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Poem by Brenda L. McCartney