Full Moon

The invitation

The conscious decisions

Unconscious desires

In motion

Kinetic energy

That pulsating exchange

Narrates the sapid expressions

In far-away side streets

With symphonic composure

They played each others heart

Caressing each other thoughts

Redefining their pitch

Under a full yellow moon

Leaving behind their vintage script

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Poem by Brenda L. McCartney

Celebration

Photographed by Susan Koster

With blazing clarity

His eyes, they take you somewhere

Wide awake dreaminess

Compelled to watch him

He created many roles

Reminiscent of Tharp Classics

He choreographed my part

In unorthodox venues

We dance

The composure

In Seasons

Our movement a language

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Poem by Brenda L. McCartney

“I celebrate your becoming. I look forward to the rest of our lives with hope and marvel at the possibilities.” Happy Birthday Enrique!

Goat Water

Goat water is the national dish of Montserrat. We make it all year round but especially at Christmas time. I remember how we made it .

Does anyone remember the tin that those long sausages use to come in? We used this tin as a pot and we called it tin-in. There was always a covered shack  it had no walls only posts – that had a few shelves and a table where we would cook.

I can see the tin (tin-in) perched on three rocks outside with the cusha (acacia) wood under each part of the stones. On the side is one of those big pots with its bottom black as the Ace of Spades with some fresh meat from a goat killed a few minutes ago. In the covered area was always a table with thyme (herbs/ubs) seasoning pepper, Season All, onions, cloves, bird pepper (bud pepper), flour and a long iron spoon.

Once the water boils the tin-in, Mama (my maternal grandmother) would throw in the meat with the onion, thyme and salt to boil until the meat is cook. This process would take an hour.

Close by I would smell the bread baking in the rock oven. I would smell the cusha wood burning. It was something about the smell of the burnt wood, the air flow under the tin-in. There was a distinct atmosphere outside; there would always be thin blue smoke and the aroma of the meat cooking appealed to your senses. It made for a mouth watering dish of delicious broth which we called goat water.

I know this is not Christmas and the masquerades are not performing but get me the kettle drum, the sticks, the fife, the whip, the boom pipe, a shack shack (maracas), cart whips and some dancers because I am feeling the spirit and I have the rhythm.

Human Nature

Photograph by MJSITE

I have a friend who was pregnant several years ago and the doctors and nurses asked her to terminate the pregnancy due to complications. She was given the liberty to make her own decision. For her it was not an option and she opted to take the baby to term if it was possible. She was not alone as her family and friends supported her. She learned all the medical terms and was well versed on the situation. Besides carrying her cross she had to deal with the reactions (whispers) of nurses; the black girl had a degree, hence the reason for her knowledge. I sure there were difficult and awkward moments which was unpleasant given the already strenuous position. No matter if you are black or white one can become bitter and disheartened but in this case she told her self she can’t stop fighting.

Sometimes in life while carrying our crosses we have no option but to carry the burden of dealing with of scoffers and mockers. I remember her bravery her tenacity in face of the odds she took full advantage of her liberty to carry the baby as long as it was possible that was the greatest possible expression of her individuality.

Sometimes in life we have to deal with the tyranny of the majority (tell men what to think, how to behave, discourages originality and spontaneity). This can be fatal to the individual and life as Hobbes put it can be solitary, poor nasty and brutish.

To this day my friend embraces her child as someone who was here and just went to sleep. Michael Jackson through his prodigious talents convinced the public of his individuality but was it tyranny of the majority that resulted in him gone too soon. Well, today they both sing love is here and now you are gone.