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INSIDE THIS Pa oUe: The Literary Gem of the Caribbean The Caribbean Writer invites you to celebrate National Po- etry Month in April. National Poetry Month is a month- long, national celebra- tion of poetry estab- lished by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. The concept is to widen the attention of individuals and the media—to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern. BRIGHT OBJECTS HYPNOTIZE THE MIND Poetry is always present in your life and always available to you. Give yourself permission to write a poem, and to enjoy the ! | process. > TCW invites you to enjoy Poetry in the Bathroom. > We urge you to pur- chase a volume of po- ems during this month. > We recommend that you read poems to your children and _ other loved ones. > We suggest you host an impromptu poetry reading. > We propose you speak to the school dis- trict to make sure po- etry is an important part of the curriculum. > We advise you to write a poem. > We encourage you to allow poetry to find you as you go about your day. A Ott POETRY MONTH Featured Virgin Islander Tutti Highfield Tutti Highfield is a Puerto-Crucian, who was born and raised in Frederik- sted. While in school she did not study a great deal of poetry, but the rhythm of poetry found her in another medium — dance. Mrs. Highfield says, “Poetry for me is dancing.” Anyone who knows this vivacious, elegant lady recognizes this as her passion. She continues, “I have always danced and love it so that when Terry and I got married 43 years ago, my exact words were: “If you want this to work, you WILL learn to dance,” and we have been dancing ever since.” A former teacher and active member of her community, Tutti Highfield was able to combine both her loves, which she describes fondly. “While teaching at Central, we recited and danced to a few poesia negroide—our favorite be- ing, “Majestad Negra” by Luis Males Matos and “?Y tu aguela a' donde ejta?” by Fortunado Vizcarrondo,” which she adds were, “both powerful poems.” Owing to her Puerto Rican and Span- ish heritage, Mrs. Highfield was ex- posed, primarily to Spanish poets, and two of her favorite poems and poets are, “La Vida es Suefio” by Pedro Calderon de la Barca and “Cancién de Otofio en Primavera” by Rueben Dario. Pedro Calderon de la Barca is consid- ered one of the most prominent play- wrights of Spain from the Spanish Golden Age. A poet, former soldier and Roman Catholic priest, his work is celebrated world-wide. Rueben Dario, a Nicaraguna poet, is credited for initiating modernismo (modernism), the Spanish-American literary movement. Crowned as the “Prince of Castilian Letters,” Dario is an essential voice of Central and South America and is Nicaragua’s greatest diplomat. In addition to dancing and reading poetry, Mrs. Highfield continues to be intricately involved in the future of education for Virgin Islanders, and consequently is a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of the Virgin Islands. She avidly advo- cates poetry stating, “Everyone should be exposed to poetry; it trans- ports one to different levels and it can embrace everyone and all aspects of life!!” Tutti Highfield lives a full life, enjoys her hubby, children, grandchil- dren, friends, and travel. Always mindful of her community and how to enhance the quality of life for its youth, Mrs. Highfield believes, “poetry should be taught in the schools as early as possible. It is a great avenue for learning and read- ing, especially when students can cre- ate, write and share about themselves and their loved ones!” The Caribbean Writer salutes Tutti Highfield and applauds her role in promoting education and culture. We invite her to continue dancing to the music of poetry. VOLUME 2, ISSUE |! om Ss Eee \ Introducing you to the African American Poet, Robert Hayden (1913-1980), born Asa Bundy Shef- I fey in Detroit, Michigan. He earned his BA from De- I troit City College, 1936, participated in the Detroit Federal Writer's Project 1936-38, and earned his MA from the University of Michigan, 1942, where he studied with W.H. Auden who had a profound impact on his poetry. He was a professor at Fisk University in Nashville for over twenty years, then went to teach at University of Michigan until his death. Books and Awards: Heart-Shape in the Dust: Poems (1940); The Lion and the Archer (1948); Figure of Time: Poems (1955); A Ballad of Remembrance (1962); Selected Poems | (1966); Words in the Mourning Time (1970); The | Night-Blooming Cereus (1972); Angle of Ascent: New and Selected Poems (1975); American Journal (1982); and Collected Poems (1996). He twice received the Hopwood Award for poetry; won the Grand Prize for Poetry at the World Festival of Negro Arts for A Ballad of Remembrance and earned the Russell Loines Award from the National Institute of Arts and Letters When it is finally ours, this freedom, this liberty, this beautiful I I ! I I I I | Frederick Douglass by Robert Hayden I I | and terrible thing, needful to man as air, | usable as earth; when it belongs at last to all, I when it is truly instinct, brain matter, diastole, systole, I reflex action; when it is finally won; when it is more I than the gaudy mumbo jumbo of politicians: I this man, this Douglass, this former slave, this Negro I beaten to his knees, exiled, visioning a world where none is lonely, none hunted, alien, this man, superb in love and logic, this man shall be remembered. Oh, not with statues’ rhetoric, not with legends and poems and wreaths of bronze alone, but with the lives grown out of his life, the lives fleshing his dream of the beautiful, needful thing. he L-aA i bina weer The Literary Gem of the Caribbean & eee ix iu ‘ce ‘us cee: em) Gams lee mt e-Gift td: <i Sm” mt i cm? ee ce ~ Jeriline Vaughn Elementary Education Major, STT Campus Favorite poem and poet: “Phenomenon Woman” by Maya Angelo “Poetry is a unique form of writing that allows in- dividuals to express their thoughts deeply, with no strings attached. When I write poetry, it makes me feel like the world is in my hands. It brings out my imagination on paper to the fullest.” A Splendorous Rock Beauty is the essence of St. Thomas. Its sparkling ocean on a sunny day, the aquatic marine life beneath Magens Bay. The orange sun setting at U.V_I, the spectacular scenery from the Tramway ride. The vivid rainbow that appears after the storm subsides, The extravaganza of fruits and the fluorescent colors of the hibiscus collide. A kaleidoscope of troupes during carnival time, the tropical mountains that one can climb. An Island of splendor, St. Thomas is to me; alive and vibrant in the Caribbean Sea. Eustus Saunders Business Administration Major, STX Campus Favorite Poet: William Shakespeare “Poetry gives me the opportunity to expresse my deepest thoughts, through words, without any limit. I see poetry as a chance to say whatever I want, whether literally or figuratively. Poetry gives me a sense of belonging. Because the poems are my personal thoughts, I feel honored to share them and have people read about my experiences.” I Want to Sing I want to sing I want to sing songs of freedom I want to sing about being unshackled I want these songs of joys to be sung around the world I want our laughter, our satisfied smile and our unburdened sighs to fill the hearts, minds and body of every man, woman boy and girl I want the world’s lustrous melody to forever linger like honey on the combs FAMOUS POETRY QUOTE: Miguel Hennemann 9th Grade, St. Croix Educational Complex My favorite poem is “Incident in the Rose Garden” by Donald Justice The Caribbean Writer, an international, literary, refereed journal with a Caribbean focus, is pub- lished by the University of the Virgin Islands. TCW publishes quality writing by established writ- ers that reflects the culture of the Caribbean, pro-