Friday, January 12, 2024

Poem: A Sample of My Simple Humanity

sweet scents stimulate my senses 
awakening all ambits of my aura
making me mellow as the melodies
penetrate my pores as they pour the
literature of love, life, and longing
evoking and erupting every extension of my existence
a sample of my simple humanity

© Linette Rabsatt

Here is my first blog post for 2024! I was not sure what I was going to write about. I had thought about highlighting one of my favorite reggae artists and had the music lined up to play. However, I put a little more effort into my garden.

I sat today to prepare a correspondence but ended up writing the first line of this poem. Then, I thought about how I would use the alliteration throughout. I started with the letter 's' and then decided to create an acrostic poem. Choosing the acrostic word was the other challenge. I considered using the word 'sap' but changed it to 'sample.'

This poem was an unplanned burst of inspiration. I want to maintain the same level of writing in 2024. I also want to perform more regularly at online poetry events.

I encourage everyone to 'invest in what grows you.' Your job title, family status and memberships do not define you. Our actions, role model behavior and inspiration are what define us.

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Book Highlight: Illustrated History of the Virgin Islands: The 1949 March and the Restoration of the LEGCO Activity Book

I introduced you to Gabriel Skelton-Bardo with her first book, "Illustrated History of the British Virgin Islands Colouring Book."

Her next project, the "Illustrated History of the Virgin Islands: The 1949 March and the Restoration of the LEGCO Activity Book," was launched in 2023 and co-authored with Bernadine Walters-Louis. The book highlights the significant activities that occurred on Sunday, November 24, 1949, in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Three young Virgin Islanders led about 1,500 others in a demonstration that shaped the political landscape in the territory.

These historical figures were:
  • Theodore Faulkner (1914-1989), aged 35 at the time
  • Isacc Glanville Fonseca (1923-1995), aged 26 at the time
  • Captain Carlton L. deCastro (1915-1991), aged 34 at the time
Faulkner, Fonseca, and de Castro were not pleased with the suspension of the Legislative Council and that Antigua ran the territory. They rallied other Virgin Islanders and presented a petition to Commissioner John Augustus Cockburn Cruikshank. Their efforts yielded success, and in 1950, Virgin Islanders had their Legislative Council restored.

The "Illustrated History of the Virgin Islands: The 1949 March and the Restoration of the LEGCO Activity Book" teaches children about the Virgin Islands' history with interactive activities that sharpen fine motor skills.

The authors include these fun activities:
  • Coloring
  • Crossword Puzzle
  • Color by numbers
  • Letter practice
This activity book provides readers with essential information about Virgin Islands' history. I encourage you to get copies for yourself and your family members.
Visit the Colour ME BVI History Facebook Page to arrange copies of "Illustrated History of the British Virgin Islands Colouring Book" and "Illustrated History of the Virgin Islands: The 1949 March and the Restoration of the LEGCO Activity Book."

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

POEM: Clerical Sense


one's preferences are either rational or irrational
although turbulence is neither defined as partial nor impartial
but you see that pretense is always intentional
and if I'm on defense, it means things have gotten critical
because an offense is usually described as something 'criminal'
while lenience could be viewed as an action that is non-committal
yet our differences encourage constant rebuttal
I know that reverence does not mean that you are spiritual
and using incense could never mean you believe you are magical
same way, having a license is not only what qualifies a professional
because competence is developed from doing practicals
we know that diligence may not put you on a pedestal
and common sense is not always available and perpetual
but having excellence means that your thinking is tactical
so your intense words should be for things that are unusual
go build your patience by reading something historical
because losing your conscience is indescribably brutal
never resort to violence because things become crucial
since indifference could be a strategy for survival
and severance is always an option, but so is reprieval

© Linette Rabsatt

Friday, December 15, 2023

POEM: Intensify

ɪɴᴛᴇɴꜱɪꜰʏ

Emotions ɪɴᴛᴇɴꜱɪꜰʏ
as I search for a sense of satisfaction
in a topsy-turvy life filled with distractions
yet my heart calls me to diversify
my intent and decisions
to become more productive and intentional
not that everything has to be transactional
or by allowing my actions to be irrational
but I can't keep investing in other's progress
when I know I should be vested in my success
through continuous learning and growth
and surrounding myself with like beings
who don't judge people by what they are seeing
but look forward to conscious and upright living

© 𝕷𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖊 𝕽𝖆𝖇𝖘𝖆𝖙𝖙 12/15/2024


Thursday, November 30, 2023

Showcasing My Culture through Agriculture and Poetry

The BVI celebrated Culture and Tourism Month in November. While I was not very much involved in planned activities, I participated in cultural activities in a more subtle way.

I was born in the 1970s when the people were still dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. I grew up with a farmer who relied heavily on her garden for income. Today, I maintain a small backyard garden to improve my access to wholesome produce, earn extra funds, and share fresh fruits and vegetables with family and friends.

I have also been sharing poetry locally and internationally as part of my contribution to cultural activities. November 29 was significant because my poetry was shared during two live online events:
  1. I participated in the live-streamed Poets and Praise Open Mic hosted by Cicely Carr. I'm on from 12:45 to 15:39.
  2. My poem, Cohesion, was featured in the Key-Notez Corner Call Out hosted by PAPI'S POETRY CORNER. I'm on from 22:12 to 22:58.
Check out the YouTube links and enjoy a variety of poetry from several talented writers!

I want to say a special thank you to the organizer of the poetry events for creating avenues for poets to share their work!


Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Poem: Love Above the Label

Love above the label

Love above the label
is more than what you
see in shows on cable
it's more than what you've
read in the fables
love itself is just
unstable
and I am incapable of 
using labels to define anyone
there are times
when we are all unstable
when we feel like
jumping off the table
and that's okay
because love should
be the connection 
that tight-knit cable
that serves to disable
judgmental actions
criticisms and sanctions
we are all different
yet we are the same
all insane but some
are just more contained
so don't call anyone
by a defined label
else you'll be liable for libel
don't let anyone
classify you
because of your stance or style
because in time
you will be defiled
stand in your strength
and love above the label

© Linette Rabsatt

Thursday, November 9, 2023

POEM: Insistence

To insist is considered a sin
because people resist
when they see passion on display
but I cannot desist from being me
because my energy consists of
pure, purposeful, and positive
intricate pieces of my heart
I cannot help myself
despite the trials
I must persist
because justice is the
system's quelling
and there's no
compelling reason to
exist within borders
that have been
too long in disorder
it all conflicts
with the verdict
and socializes me as
an indigenous terrorist
who should be inflicted
with what the exorcist
exercised on those
with the evil eyes



© Linette Rabsatt

Poem: Sweet by Linette Rabsatt