POEM: Members

there were days when I was all 'tongue in cheek'

and I thought my behavior was cute - even sweet
I didn't care about whether I was discreet
and had no regard for anyone on the streets
because their truth wasn't mine to keep
and while their hearts were cold - my tea was steeped
callous, you may call me, but my ego was heaped
hoarded and hopped up on conceit
and I didn't understand the meal - which was my feet
even after I ate both of them ... I didn't creep
since I was well-bosomed and smiled up with the elites
those whose cash flow stacked balance sheets
me - a little silly rabbit - bad habit
with no looking, fast-talking, and with bleeps
rise - fast, fall - hard
and even lard can't soften the dough
so that's when I called on the Lord to soften the blow
because all is good when you're in the show
but when tongue-in-cheek becomes the norm
tongue and teeth will fall out and cause harm

© Linette Rabsatt

You may smile because of the title of this poem; however, members is a biblical reference to parts of the body. I started this piece thinking about a local saying, "Tongue and Teeth Fall out." Who hasn't bitten their tongue before? We also like to describe sassy or flamboyant people as "tongue in cheek" or "cheeky."  I also added the cliche about the feet because it plays well with the other body parts found in the mouth or those that, unfortunately, end up there.

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.

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."

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

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

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!

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