Blackout
When the lights go off, and on, off- again-on-again, and finally out, tea light candles glow in every bedroom, two in every washroom.
Two haikus about the darkened sky and after
darkness at midday
the volcano next door flew
Connected to the Earth
You come to Sell
Your craft everyday
Tourist come to buy
Glass, plastic, shell.
Milk in Bush Tea
By sunup, Soufrière have the country inside out. Bryna cyar recognize he farm; the North Pole like it move to Orange Hill, bringing heat instead ah cold.
Seasons
Marcel opened her eyes slowly. She blinked rapidly, inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. She was alive. She was honestly surprised to be awake, yet again.
Heavy
It was then that I really saw the exodus. I remember the mattresses- some folded to accommodate another- others splayed on the sides of trucks and vans. I remember the strained faces of a people who were trying to get to a destination some of which were unknown.
Strayed Child of Hairouna
You used to tell people about the volcano in your island with a kind of pride, the life source of the island-- a natural phenomenon that humbles even the most arrogant. Is it still active? People would usually ask. Could blow at any time you respond.
Snow on Banana Leaves
Petra had lived long enough to witness this once before. The monstrous anger of Soufriere in 1979. The pelted stones and the wrathful skies of obsidian.