POEM: Taking Turns

Taking Turns

Only the Father can turn us around:
He heals our pain,
He forgives our sins,
and He gives us true joy within.

Our Father never turns us away;
instead, He leads us,
He keeps us safe,
and He makes our journeys easier.

He never turns us out:
our Father stays with us,
gives us love and strength,
and all we need to do is have faith.

Our Father turns a hard heart into soft matter:
Yes! Our Father builds bridges,
He solves our problems,
and all we have to do is to believe.

Turning us around - healing and forgiving,
Never turning us away - accepting us as we are,
Never turning us out - still loving and strengthening us...
Only our Father can do all these things and more.

© LR

Callaloo Poets ‘open mic’ on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Mellow Moods

Callaloo Poets ‘open mic’ on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Mellow Moods

Saturday, July 18, 2009 is the third Saturday of the month and on that evening, the Callaloo Poets invite you to an ‘open mic’ poetry reading themed ‘You and I bring U.N.I.T.Y.’ – a theme inspired by poet, Oren Hodge. The reading starts at 7:00pm at Mellow Moods Café in Road Town, Tortola. All writers are invited to share their inspiration and are kindly asked to arrive at 6:45pm for sign-up. For more information, please email vicallaloo@hotmail.com.

Callaloo Poets

REAL TALK to feature Callaloo Poets on Channel 51 and CORE MAGAZINE 1st Anniversary Issue in BVI

Check out Callaloo Poets - Linette & Sowande on REAL TALK with Karia Christopher on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 7:30PM on Channel 51. Be sure to check it out!

Also, CORE Magazine has released its 1st Anniversary issue featuring our own Revelation, Ritical, Alton Bertie and Kamau Georges. Poetry by the Callaloo Poets is also featured in this FREE issue which has Rock City on the cover. Delve into this issue to read about Avalanche, Jam Tyme Band, CORE Fashion and much more.

My Name is.......

My name is simple. Someone said my name sounds old and boring and it suits me.

According to http://www.thinkbabynames.com/, the meaning is "idol; a small songbird". It may not be popular now but hey, I learned to spell it quickly and I love it.

These days, we play with combinations or parents names or we make them up and that is cool. What parents should be mindful of is Elementary and High School classmates who can be cruel and twist people's names around. I am very good at ignoring idiots so they can twist away. However, we should teach children the meaning and origin of their names so that they can appreciate it and defend it.

I am BLACK DIAMOND to the bone. I did not understand the name at first but it has inspired me and I wrote a poem about my grandfather, the original BLACK DIAMOND. See VI Callaloo: Poems from the Caribbean to read it. Actually everyone in my grandfather's lineage is proud to be a BLACK DIAMOND descendant. My children will be taught to appreciate it as well.

A nickname like BLACK DIAMOND is good but to call yourself Toilet Paper or Soot or Dirt is just ridiculous. I prefer not to use a nickname. People cut my name short and then it's like they are calling my dad since my name is a derivative of my dad's. When he comes by, he is quick to correct them. GO DAD!

Check yourself - check your name - don't let anyone call you down!

Callaloo Poets & VIIA nourish the Mind, Body & Soul on April 19, 2008

Callaloo Poets & VIIA nourish the Mind, Body & Soul on April 19, 2008

April 19, 2008 is the third Saturday of the month and the Callaloo Poets and the Virgin Islands Improvement Association (VIIA) will present 'Food 4 Thought: Nourish the Mind, Body, and Soul'. This 'open mic' event starts at 7:00pm at Mellow Moods in Road Town, Tortola. Performers are asked to arrive at Mellow Moods at 6:45PM for sign-up.

Poetry Readings are held every third Saturday of the month. For more information about the Callaloo Poets and the VIIA, please visit http://www.myspace.com/vicallaloo and http://www.viimprovement.org/.

World Poetry Day

Today is WORLD POETRY DAY!

Celebrate with all poets today and encourage them to keep crafting their talents.

Writing poetry is easy when you let the inspiration flow. When asked to write on specific topics, you have to brainstorm and craft according to the specific issue. It is still not hard for me - once my heart is in it and I have enough time to write and re-write.

Our poetry readings are themed and some poets do not like that at all. I like the themes but encourage poets to share what they wish. They may come with something fresh and new. We never want to stifle creativity. Themes are set as a guide and a way to push the poets to keep writing.

Past themes include:
Black Love
Honoring the Elders

They are simple and a little abstract, but you may be suprised at the detailed creativity that stems from simple themes. The poets and singers who attend the readings really work hard and get the message across.

To get more of a taste, you'll have to attend one of our 'open mic' sessions held every thrid Saturday of the month. Keep checking this blog for updates.

I am an aspiring writer so stay tuned for more articles.

Callaloo Poets & VIIA honor the elders on March 15, 2008

Callaloo Poets & VIIA honor the elders on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Mellow Moods

Greetings,

The Callaloo Poets and the Virgin Islands Improvement Association will pay tribute to the elders on March 15, 2008 at 7:00PM at Mellow Moods, Road Town, Tortola in an 'open mic' poetry reading themed 'Honoring Our Elders'.

Poets, singers, drummers, musicians and dancers are asked to be at Mellow Moods by 6:45PM for sign-up.

Also note that we are featured on the updated CORE Magazine website, www.coremagazine.vi. For more information about us, visit http://www.myspace.com/vicallaloo or http://www.youtube.com/vicallaloo.

Thanks as always for your support.

Callaloo Poets