S~NLG Poetic Tributes to Haiti

Sister Nineties Literary Group (S~NLG) is a literary and arts outreach organization started by the multitalented and incomparable Mrs.Debra Morrowloving a.k.a. Mama D...The organization is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri U.S.A. but has chapters throughout the U.S.A. and membership throughout the world...The talents of the members are showcased through several publications each year...To learn more about this beautiful organization please e-mail Mrs. Morrowloving at mywriteword@yahoo.com and send letter(s) of correspondence to the following address:
S~NLG
P.O. BOX 4506
St.Louis,MO 63108

S~NLG Poetic Tributes to Haiti
S~NLG poets Mama Collette, Negest Asha Jahi, D. Morrowloving, & Orlando Taylor penned laurels for the heroes of the Haitian Revolution.


ART: "The Charcoal or the Grenade" by R2C2H2/ 2004
Copyright © 2004
"THE CHARCOAL OR THE GRENADE"is the title of the above art that R2C2H2 created for this edition. He writes, "It's my take or satire on 'The Ballot or The Bullet'. One of Haiti's major products or 'cash crops' is charcoal (shown being held in the right hand of the figure) which is collected from the rotten trees on the mountainside due to their inability to grow vegetables because of extensive erosion caused by a lack of trees in the lowlands to keep the fertile soil in place. A lot of their best trees were bought and cut down by the French for millions of dollars in the 19th century. However, no one thought about replanting the trees that were taken and so by the start of World War One, the damage was done.

"The hand grenade in the other hand symbolizes the violence that seems to have been a vital part of Haiti's legacy since and before its inception and will tragically continue to play a part in its present and future...The handcuffs symbolize how these symptoms of the problem are linked because of lack of a profitable economy and stable government. Violence will continue to play a major part in the lives of all Haitians and will continue to affect the rest of the world for the worse."
- R2C2H2


FRANCIS MACANDAL by Mama Collette

African born--Slavery is not robbery
thousands kidnapped to St. Dominigue
Maroons are fugitives scorned with snobbery
feeling trapped and brutalized not unique

thousands kidnapped to St. Dominigue
working indigo, cotton and sugar plantations
feeling trapped and brutalized not unique
meanwhile concentrating on building a new nation

working indigo, cotton and sugar plantations
lost an arm but no time to mourn
meanwhile concentrating on building a new nation
sometimes wishing had not been born

lost an arm but no time to mourn
planning an escape to the mountains
sometimes wishing had not been born
but the voice of liberty trickles down fountains

planning an escape to the mountains
organizing conspiracy to poison slave owners
but the voice of liberty trickles down fountains
the oppressor has now become spineless moaners

organizing conspiracy to poison slave owners
the first attempt to destroy slavery
the oppressor has now become spineless moaners
Macandal's legend continues to live for his bravery

the first attempt to destroy slavery
oppressors down--plantations up in fire--fire
Macandal's legend continues to live for his bravery
twisting and writhing was burned alive--alive

oppressors down--plantations up in fire--fire
Maroons are fugitives scorn with snobbery?
twisting and writhing was burned alive--alive
African born--slavery is NOT robbery?

______________________________
Copyright © 2003 by Mama Collette


HAITIAN lullaby (a pantoum) by D. Morrowloving

Haitian warrior cries are looming lullabies
Rhythms—strong, bold, sweet—of Napolean's defeat
Ancestral Haitian eyes bear truths beneath white lies
In spite of battles' heat Haiti did not retreat

Rhythms—strong, bold, sweet—of Napolean's defeat
1791 insurrection had begun
In spite of battles' heat Haiti did not retreat
From Jamaica came Boukman armed with Vodun drum

1791 insurrection had begun
Wrapped in Haitian lore blares the revolution's roar
From Jamaica came Boukman armed with Vodun drum
Toussaint L'Ouverture broke through slavery's door

Wrapped in Haitian lore blares the revolution's roar
Tortured Ogé made them see not one of them was free
Toussaint L'Ouverture broke through slavery's door
Maroons of liberty joined hands with Affranchis

Tortured Ogé made them see not one of them was free
Mulattos and quadroons along with octaroons
Maroons of liberty joined hands with Affranchis
In organized platoons they fought the knights of doom

Mulattos and quadroons along with octaroons
Slaughtered enemy to end slavery
In organized platoons they fought the knights of doom
In 1803 Haiti won autonomy

Slaughtered enemy to end slavery
For life as governor, Jean-Jacques had settled score
In 1803 Haiti won autonomy
In 1804 Dessalines called, "Slaves no more!"

For life as governor, Jean-Jacques had settled score
Ancestral Haitian eyes bear truths beneath white lies
In 1804 Dessalines called, "Slaves no more!"
Haitian warrior cries are looming lullabies
_______________________________
Copyright © 2004 by D. Morrowloving