Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Poem: Exist


we all exist for a reason
because our lives are like a season
we’re here for a moment to do our part
our time aligns to the beating of our hearts
so within your time of existence
what are you going to do to show your brilliance?
it does not have to be a great big feat
you could be a great dancer who inspires with your feet
or someone who does a menial job
but still being the best at doing your job
maybe a Customs Officer who checks our goods
or a Police Officer who canvasses the hood
maybe an Immigration Officer safeguarding the borders
or a Prison Officer overseeing the prisoners
existing is more than having a big title
or leading an orchestra and recital
it’s about what you do to nurture your talents
because learning and growing are the real investments
the impact you make through your legacy
leaving a shining example for your family
so use your talents and time wisely
learning and growth from a seed to a mature tree
we all exist for a reason
and we know our lives are like the seasons
it starts with you believing in you
and not forgetting to invest in what grows you

© Linette Rabsatt 9-22-2025

This poem was shared at the Launch of the Law Enforcement Associate Degree Program on September 22, 2025. It's reworked from the original version to suit the event.

Monday, September 22, 2025

Let's Embrace Peace

Sunday, September 21, 2025 was the International Day of Peace. Here is an exercise for you to play with during the day. Thank you to Ixora Wong for inviting April Glasgow and I to share in the Peacefest.

Looking forward to next year!

Your assignment: Pick a word and create an acrostic poem that speaks to PEACE.

MILD
M
ay I remain cool and collected
In my daily interactions with others
Let me be a beacon for peace
Doing unto to others as I would have them do to me

© Linette Rabsatt 9-22-2025

If you choose to post yours, use #peacemaker

Friday, September 12, 2025

Book Highlight: Black Girls Soliloquy by Zenna Lewis

Black Girls Soliloquy: An Anthology of Poems by Her, for Her, about Her
I was amazed at the scenery as I walked through the CARIFESTA XV Grand Market in Waterford, Barbados. I passed by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines booth and a book caught my eye. I picked it up and thumbed through. Black Girls Soliloquy: An Anthology of Poems by Her, for Her, about Her contained 16 poems and I was intrigued because my Kindle book has 14 poems. I asked the people in the booth about the author and they encouraged me to visit the next day to meet her. I was attending most of the workshops at Grand Market, so the next day, I met Zenna Lewis, the author. Of course, I purchased a copy and asked her to sign my book.

As I thumbed through the pages of Black Girls Soliloquy: An Anthology of Poems by Her, for Her, about Her, I got a better understanding of the title. Here are my thoughts on each poem.

1. Demon in Disguise speaks to how women struggle to be seen as more than objects. 

2. I am Human provides a testimony of the women affected by the Demon in Disguise.

3. In Cursed, Zenna expresses those feelings we all sometimes have:
Empty
but filled with fear, anger
and regrets that hurt my heart...

But how do I solve
the conflict and the confusion? Do I just let it
Hey! I may not be an amulet of perfection....

4. Madam Anxiety tells the story of how anxiety hold us captive. She ends the piece,
Nothing is good enough
nothing will ever be good enough nothing shall ever be good
enough for this lady called madame anxiety

5. Zenna calls out our obsession with social media in Social Monster, an ode to living for likes and hearts.

6. Blackish is an anthem that reminds us to embody our melanin and strength:
...Hence, they created and fattened
an ecosystem of the deceit
that being ebony is dreary sooty....

7. Every Bob Marley fan is familiar with the song, Rat Race. Zenna's Rat Race brings a different message. This poem takes the reader on a journey that touches on what and how we were taught, our goals and how corruptions impacts us.

8. Descendants of Eve is an ode to womanhood with scriptural references, and metaphorical and real-life analogies in relation to our journey as women.

9. In Blood Sisters, our familial links are highlighted with references to the ongoing crimes that affect our young people:
I echo the injustices
of our young gunned down in potholes
in the system of inequality

10. Seen and not Heard is the shortest poem in the book, but it provides a powerful message about how we are often behind the scenes but making big impact.

11. I love the way that Zena weaved her words in Panties on the Line. This is another short poem which packs a powerful message. The poem ends:
Our panties hang on the line connected to glass on top of
equality, barely holding on by a string.

12. Dear Njinga (Queen) is an inspirational piece that every woman should read because of the positive affirmations shared.
You take air and dominate
Even when your heels are on tight...
My signed copy
13. In Our Love Philosphy, Zenna offers an ode to love and the importance of unity in a relationship. It reads like a vow from one lover to the other.

14. Between clouds 8 and 10 play on the cloud nine cliché. It is a beautiful poem with sultry expressions.
And somewhere between cloud eight and ten
I landed peacefully

15. Zenna shares sensual sentiments in Curse 2, a debate about a love affair and the feelings evoked from it. 

16. The final poem is Serve and Protect, which begins and ends with a call to action:
Sir
Minister
Monster

Here are some lines from different stanzas that evoke thought:
Murdered by his hands raped in his sheets

no answers as to why our daughters are being held captive

and selling our daughter's virginity you raped their minds

in a world where my voice is silenced by those who are assigned

our scars are visible but covered with plasters of injustice

Your wives' silence speaks so much...

I am glad that I added this book to my collection. I am even more happy that I was able to connect with Zenna. I look forward to reading more work from her in the future.

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Virgin Islands Book Highlight: In the Beehive by Andria D. Flax

Front Cover of In the Beehive published in 2024
Bees are essential to our lives! In the Beehive is a book that perfectly describes the importance of bees, how they work as a community, and how we use the liquid gold that they produce. 

The author is Mrs. Andria D. Flax from the Virgin Islands. She has published several books, including Sharing the Vision, A Walk through the Valley, and The Way We Were.
Back Cover of In the Beehive
In the Beehive provides a fresh approach for children to learn about bees. The text is written as a poem with each stanza prominently displayed on a page. Bee-inspired photographs also capture the reader, with many featuring the apiary activities of Virgin Gold, the Flax’s beekeeping and honey business in the Virgin Islands.

The book is ideal for early readers and teenagers because the content is easy to read while imparting knowledge. The book has showcased on the reading list for Grade 3 students in the Virgin Islands.

The book begins:
 
I hear loud, buzzing sounds
all around me
then I spot tiny insects
on a nearby tree.

The first stanza engages our senses of hearing and sight, and the poem continues with appeals to our senses of smell, taste, and touch. Readers get a clear description of the queen, drone, and worker bees, and their roles. It further describes where bees prefer to settle and the role and precautions of a beekeeper. Readers also learn how we consume honey in our homes.
An Excerpt from In the Beehive
The book ends with a reminder about the role of each bee and our love for honey.

I recommend this book and encourage you to visit Mrs. Flax’s website to order your copy: https://www.andriaflax.com/

If you’re in the Virgin Islands, please ensure that you order Virgin Gold honey!
Honey from Virgin Gold

Friday, September 5, 2025

My Experience at CARIFESTA XV in Barbados

Ready for another event!
I was blessed to attend both CARIFESTA X in 2008 and CARIFESTA XV in 2025 as a poet. Here are my thoughts.

Mission

2008: I was an active member of the Callaloo Poets, and our mission for CARIFESTA X was to promote our book, Virgin Islands Callaloo: Poems from the Caribbean, and to showcase the Virgin Islands' talent. April Glasgow and Jerome Joseph, authors in the anthology, also travelled to Guyana for the event. Hon. Dr. Natalio Wheatley, also known as Sowande Uhuru, joined the delegation at the time. We interacted with other regional poets, performed, and displayed our book.

2025: Seventeen years later, the mission was more personal but still wider. I wanted to promote my book, Be Inspired: Poems by Linette Rabsatt, showcase my versatility, and support the other members of our delegation, especially three young poets, Trinity Lettsome, Abbria Hodge, and Michael Jefferson.

Delegation

2008: The delegation in 2008 included visual artists, moko jumbies, writers, artisans, and other talents, including Ghost, Trenita Hodge, and Gregory Tye.

2025: Our 53-member delegation included visual artists, writers, dancers, a core youth presence, animators, tourism experts, and filmmakers. 
Dressed for the Literary Gala

My Experience

2008: I travelled on different days from the delegation and was stranded in Trinidad overnight after being bumped from my flight. Despite that challenge, after arriving in Guyana, I listened to other regional talents and performed. I wrote a poem about the event in 2008, CARIFESTA X, and it was recently published by Wax Poetry Magazine. 

2025: I had no travel issues! I attended seven workshops covering children's fiction, prose, playwriting, technology-infused publications, and reframing our stories. I also facilitated a workshop, Understanding One's Poetic Journey. I first hosted this workshop through Pass the Word VI for a small group in the USVI in July 2025.

More about CARIFESTA XV

My Workshop

I did not sleep well the night before the workshop because I was still unsure of my content. When I started the session, the audience was filled with my delegation. Eventually, others joined in, including Robert Gibson, a notable Barbadian poet and CEO of Passionate Words Editing Services, and a young lady I met at another event. Another poet also joined in and participated. I also gave Mr. Luke, and Ms. Anika Christopher, and Mrs. Andria Flax from my delegation an opportunity to share insights on their publishing journey.

During the session, I saw people in the audience shed their inhibitions and share their work. I was most impressed with five young people from our youth cohort. We had encouraged them to create a group poem. I was about to close the session when one of them reminded me that they were charged with sharing their piece. I didn't have to prod or encourage - they were ready. I was inspired.
Posing with Kacey Garvey, 2025 National Spoken Word Awards Best International Poet

Making Connections

I would say that this was the greatest benefit of CARIFESTA XV. I linked with a Barbadian HR Colleague and met poets from Jamaica that I have interacted with online. Most importantly, I was able to get to know our delegation. I attended film debuts, Big Conversations, and art showcases because I wanted to witness Virgin Islands talent on display.

I also linked up with a few talented poets: Alistair from St. Kitts and Nevis, Kwame from Trinidad and Tobago, Kacey, Britton and Steve from Jamaica, Zenna from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Fiona from Anguilla, Jeffrey from Suriname and many others from Barbados and Anguilla.
Posing with Robert Gibson aka PassionPoet and CEO of Passionate Words Editing Services

Working with the Young Poets

I had the pleasure of working with the three young poets that I mentioned above. We met virtually and in-person a few times to prepare for the trip. I challenged them with prompts and poetic forms. They always remained respectful, sharp, and creative. I was very proud to see Michael and Trinity perform in the first WAPAX Poetry Slam. Initially, when we met, I told the young people that we should perform every time a mic became available. They listened and shared their inspiration!

The Poem that Broke Me

I attended a workshop hosted by Dr. Opal Palmer Adisa, and she introduced an exercise by asking us to think about our ancestors. I was already teary but holding strong. She then directed us to think about walking into the sea, letting the water cover our heads, and listening to an ancestor's voice. I wrote a poem, and when I went to read it, I broke down. I really felt like my ancestors were calling out to me to wake up. Here is the poem that broke me.

My Breaking

You are the warrior
Called to awaken your brothers and sisters
Reminding them of the need to stay steadfast
All that glitters won't last
I call on you to stand up
For those who are voiceless
And that's regardless of creed or color
You have been sitting on your dreams
You can't stand in what seems to be okay
You weren't made to be mediocre
Let go of the chokehold
Even as this water gets cold
And you feel like you're drowning
You still wear a crown
You still have to be what you
Were molded to be
So even as you turn the leaf
Because your pages seem filled
It is in your will to be
Don't let me down
Don't disappoint your ancestors
They struggled so you can have it better
They gave you inspiration and passion
The basic facets for you to make a difference
Just renew your commitment to being you

© Linette Rabsatt 8-25-2025

Suprise Recognition

I was invited to a Literary Gala, and it was a beautiful event that featured Barbadian Literary titans. When we went outside for refreshments, Mia Lennard told me that my information was being displayed. I was shocked! My writing has come a long way since 1996, and I am grateful for every encouraging word, criticism, and rejection because I have seen the difference in my work. I want to inspire the world with my words.
Photo taken by Mia Lennard

Thank You

I am very thankful to the Premier, Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development for affording me the opportunity to represent the Virgin Islands at CARIFESTA XV. I hope that my work, words, and passion made BVI proud. I have to mention our lead officer, Mr. K’Mari Fahie, Assistant Secretary, for his excellence in ensuring that we were comfortable and engaged.

Investing in What Grows Me

I invested in a small tablet to read from and update my social media while I was in Barbados. I also want to shout out my son, Anthony Cheltenham Jr., of 3AL Productions. He created my logo, Be Inspired, long before the book came to life. I wore several of his designs in Barbados.
Posing in Barbados close to Rihanna's House wearing a grad shirt designed by Anthony

Takeaways from CARIFESTA XV

I have to keep writing

I need to take the ideas out of my head and share them in print, on social media and in the community. When I wrote  my short story, A Paltry Poultry Tale, I was just playing around with the behavior of the chickens that visit me. At the workshop with Delvin Howell, I dissected that story and linked it to relationships, women's issues, our prejudices and comedy. Who would think that a story about Henito, JaQuiche, Egglantina and Henrietta would have so much layers (pun intended)? The tools that I learned will help me to develop stories that are relevant and engaging. I am truly thankful for the experience.

We Need to Create Bios

Every creative needs to have a 50-100 word bio. The bio should clearly state where you are from, what you do, and your accolades.

Here is my bio:
Linette Rabsatt is a Virgin Islands poet with roots in the BVI and USVI who began writing in 1996. You can find her work in her Kindle book, "Be Inspired: Poems by Linette Rabsatt" and on her blog, Words of Ribbon. Her poems and short stories have been published in various journals, magazines, and anthologies, including Pulse Poetry Magazine, Visual Verse, Syncopation Literary Journal, Spillwords, and Micromance Magazine. She won the 2024 Read Yuh Ting TOO Virtual Caribbean Poetry Contest and placed second in the 2025 Tell Yuh Story Contest.

My first bio shared with a journal or magazine may state that I have written 400 poems. I think I should be close to 1,000 if I include the haikus, tankas, and eintous. Since I've become more active in Facebook poetry groups that share prompts, and after teaming up with Legendary Ink, my collection has exploded.
My content that was on display

Give the Crowd Something to Take Away

I displayed a letter-sized sheet with my contact information, bio, and social media links with QR Codes. I think that everyone displaying literary and visual arts needs to create similar or business cards. We must use technology to our advantage.

I want to inspire the closet writers who have a story to tell. My duty is to share my insights on writing, performing, and publishing. I am no expert, but I think that I am good at encouraging others!

Be inspired!
Repping my BVI pin made by Clovers

Monday, September 1, 2025

August was a Blast - Publications, CARIFESTA XV & New Poem

Photo by Mia Lennard
August 2025 provided me with new avenues for my work in various journals, magazines and anthologies. I was also blessed to participate in CARIFESTA XV in Barbados. CARIFESTA XV needs a special blog post, which I will share soon. Here are the other updates!

Pulse Poetry Magazine
I have three poems in the August 2025 issue of Pulse Poetry Magazine, Party, Old School Reggae and The Message in the Music. 

Everscribe Magazine
The Shadow Eyed Wolf, made it into Everscribe Magazine

Parcham Magazine
Whimsy was selected for the July 2025 issue of Parcham Magazine. 

The Literary Times Magazine Issue 06
Forbidden, was published in The Literary Times Magazine

Away with the Faeries
'Lovestruck' and 'Floating Ghosts' were selected for Away with the Faeries, which is available on Amazon. 

Feed the Holy
Silent Prayer has been published by Feed the Holy on August 28, 2025.

Spillwords
My poem, high, was published by Spillwords on August 22, 2025. 

Poetry on YouTube

Spoken Word Collaborations
  1. Trials and Tribulations: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/trials-tribulations-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
  2. In a Field of Weeds: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/in-a-filed-of-weeds-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
  3. Quench: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/quench-part-2-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
  4. My Mind Went Out to Play: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/my-mind-went-out-to-play-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
  5. Out There on the Ocean: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/out-there-on-the-ocean-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
  6. Casted Out: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/casted-out-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
  7. Neptune: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/neptune-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
  8. Living in the Mix: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/live-in-the-mix-la-rabsatt-vocals
  9. The Strangers: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/the-strangers-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
  10. Unknown Territory: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/unknown-territory-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
  11. Cruel Intentions: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/cruel-intentions-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
  12. Sinful Stranger: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/sinful-stranger-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
  13. A Testament that You're Gone: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/tell-me-sumthin-good-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
Photo by Mia Lennard

New Poem
Eintou: The Web

my parlor
awaits the fly
I, the brown wise spider
you, bright beautiful butterfly
I pray you visit me
let’s weave magic
as one

© Linette Rabsatt 9-1-2025

Poem: Exist