Island Poetry 2020 Horace Watson

More poems from two of my favorite poets. Reading from Nadia Brown.

This episode features Claude McKay, Maya Angelou, and new poet Mesha B. The theme is things that I love or illicit encounters, you decide. I like these poems because of their texture, colours, and misdirection. I think they capture the human condition very well.   WhatsApp 1(876)276-3558  email: islandpoetry2020@gmail.com 

Touched by an angel By Maya Angelou We, unaccustomed to courage exiles from delight live coiled in shells of loneliness until love leaves its high holy temple and comes into our sight to liberate us into life. Love arrives and in its train come ecstasies old memories of pleasure ancient histories of pain. Yet if we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls. We are weaned from our timidity In the flush of love's light we dare be brave And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free. 

A Red flower by Claude McKay Your lips are like a southern lily red, Wet with the soft rain-kisses of the night, In which the brown bee buries deep its head, When still the dawn's a silver sea of light. Your lips betray the secret of your soul, The dark delicious essence that is you, A mystery of life, the flaming goal I seek through mazy pathways strange and new. Your lips are the red symbol of a dream, What visions of warm lilies they impart, That line the green bank of a fair blue stream, With butterflies and bees close to each heart! Brown bees that murmur sounds of music rare, That softly fall upon the langourous breeze, Wafting them gently on the quiet air Among untended avenues of trees. O were I hovering, a bee, to probe Deep down within your scented heart, fair flower, Enfolded by your soft vermilion robe, Amorous of sweets, for but one perfect hour! 

Romance by Claude McKay To clasp you now and feel your head close-pressed, Scented and warm against my beating breast; To whisper soft and quivering your name, And drink the passion burning in your frame; To lie at full length, taut, with cheek to cheek, And tease your mouth with kisses till you speak Love words, mad words, dream words, sweet senseless words, Melodious like notes of mating birds; To hear you ask if I shall love always, And myself answer: Till the end of days; To feel your easeful sigh of happiness When on your trembling lips I murmur: Yes; It is so sweet. We know it is not true. What matters it? The night must shed her dew. We know it is not true, but it is sweet -- The poem with this music is complete. 

This week we feature Claude McKay who was a Jamaican borne writer and poet who is seen as a seminal figure in the Harlem Renaissance.

This is an introductory episode that tells the audience about Island Poetry 2020. Listeners will meet the host Horace Watson for the first time.

The audience will be introduced to the format of the podcast. They are invited to participate by send a WhatsApp message to 1(876)276-3558 or send an email to islandpoetry2020@gmail.com.