I've said how thankful I am for the friendships I have formed with Nicholas Laughlin, Ruel Johnson, The GMC (# something), Bakannal, and Guyana Gyal. I now add to that list of blog friends, Nicolette Bethel, and Rethabile Masilo. They have all been huge inspirations for what I do on this blog, and I wish them, their families, and all who read me, a new year full of love, friendships, writing that inspires, and other bountiful blessings.
I read Poefrica for Rethabile's relatable, awe-inspiring poetry, as well as for his links to other Africa-influenced poems. Read and enjoy "Thetsane blues," and his sexy latest, "an 8 sitting up." Read also, from his gathering of writers/poets, Chinua Achebe's "Butterfly," and Wole Soyinka's "Telephone Conversation."
Rethabile is constantly reworking his poems and shows us on his blog that getting that image just the way he envisions it takes work. I truly admire that since I don't believe that great writing is a god-given talent...it takes constant practice, and often an interested, interactive audience, to get really good at it. To those of you who consider yourselves writers, and would like to use your blog as a true writer's blog, Poefrica is a wonderful model. Take a look see.
Nicolette Bethel's blog is another great example of the hard work, constant renewing and updating that inspires good art and the dedicated artist. In the blur of my one week of Carifesta-ing, I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Nicolette, although thanks to her frequent blog updates, I was able to read about her frustration and her joy as she recounted details of the journeying Bahamian luggage and the performance of her play, The Children's Teeth. With divine allowance, I plan on meeting up with Nicolette in 2010 (Watch out Nicob, you've been warned!)
Nicolette is the editor of the newest Caribbean literary journal--Tongues of the Ocean--and I don't only look forward to reading it, but I feel greatly inspired to heed the call and submit something creative. Just kidding. Hmmm...
In addition to everything else she does, Nicolette is a poet (though I'm not sure that's the order in which she would place things). Here's one of her "Lily" poems, "The Seamstress Teaches Lily to Sew (1910)," which I've read and interpreted anew each time I read it--one of the pleasures I seek in reading creative writing of any sort.
Folks, I've had a fun year of blogging and being recognized as a contributor to the Caribbean lit. blog world. I'm even more excited about next year! Happy New Year to all!
