Book Review…Echoes of hope amid distress

Nov 03, 2013 News

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Book: Memories and Musings by Dr Jerome Teeelucksingh
Reviewer: Dr Glenville Ashby

Dr Jerome Teeelucksingh’s work is hardly that of a romanticist, nor is it from the mold of William Blake. His writings can be loud and subtle, starkly black, white, or grey. His narrative responds to the now, the existential exigency of the present. His work is far from cryptic. It is a free verse that proves easily identifiable.  Memories and Musings is political and at times philosophical. It is richly poetic, the musings of a man emotionally stricken by the vagaries of life

and the inequities of society.
Teelucksingh is not dark in the vein of another contemporary, Adrian Augier; neither is he as painful and punishing as Kendell Hippolyte. He screams out, identifying the world’s problems, hoping that we listen and find solutions. His is “conscious poetry.” His literalism belies the profundity of a narrative that is authentically unwavering. Unlike the fatalists, his message simmers with hope.  Yes, there is pain and disillusion. But the glass is still half full. His work laboriously breathes an air of optimism, good counsel and compassion. In  ”A Gentle Voice,” he writes: “The hopeful voice of last rites soothes a departing soul….The assurance of a young sister softens the cold heart of a brother in prison.” And in “What is a Miracle,” his words are comforting, spiritual: “Finding survivors after a natural disaster…rescuing lost hikers…surviving a vehicular accident; waking up from a coma…Surviving to see the creation of a new day, the believer and non-believer all experience the miracles.”
His “Commitment” is axiomatic and thought provoking. “If I could Fly” is magical with its breezy, transcendental tone; and equally soothing is “Lotus.” In “The flower of light,” he pens, “brightening life’s murky waters, the majesty of flowers commands respect and admiration…” He aptly follows with “From notebook of a naturalist.”
But its is “Tales from the Land of the Weird,” that  Teelucksingh, dazzles, dabbling with canto, the long poem.  It aptly honours the “weird” in the title, but is never remotely frivolous. It provides a panoramic view of life, of the world, through nature. Here, animals are “humanized,” busying themselves with tasks and responsibilities. Is it a take from “Animal Farm?” No. It is original and funny; instructive and prophetic. No doubt there is an essential message inscribed with clever abandon. Therein is a limerick-like strain; its pace is ribald with a tone and levity that can distract you from the intent. But Teelucksingh still asks his readers to peer beyond the veneer of jocularity.
In a veiled jab at colonialism, he wittingly recites:: “Christopher, the surfing cockroach…arrived on a small island and met Hammy the hare. Hammy explained due to a hidden snare had to grow fangs which she cleaned with care. Christopher raised his wings and said: “You have nothing to fear…”
Teelucksing effortlessly meshes the past with present, raising the perennial subjects – Apartheid and Civil Rights and today’s struggle for justice: “A formal and grand end to bygone eras, however, remnants remain, as gated communities with razor wire remain aloof of ghettos…”
He is gratuitous to “Latin American Lions,” as he is to  ”Caribbean Rebels with a Cause,” where he lauds the iconic figures who advanced the cause for justice. “They raised hell and broke the shackles of colonialism and imperialism. Men and women as Captain Cipriani and Elma Francois continued the battle to champion for the poor and dispossessed.”
But clearly Teelucksingh concedes that the battle is far from won.
Overwhelmed, he is nostalgic, yearning for a time when life in the West Indies was simple, less muddled. Here, his injection of island argot is refreshing. “Yes, long time days! The river clean, no chicken guts, old car and stove. No flooding in de rainy season. We could drink the water, bathe and ketch fish. Lawd, it look like dem days gone for good…”
His aversion to war is stark. “Medals for bravery, dedication, courage and lady luck; medals for cowards, killers, survivors and soldiers of the tombstone.” “Destruction of Iraq and Afghanistan” underscores his “Peacenik” leanings.
He recoils at refugee crises, caused by wars and his words are hauntingly true: “Humanitarians have seen it before and expect more. A stray dog lurks among the shadows and laughs at an advanced civilization.”
Memories and Musings fittingly ends with “Warlock and Witches,” that encapsulates the poet’s warning of man’s ignorance and potential for evil.
Once again, Teelucksing’s corpus of work commands attention and reflection.

[email protected]/Follow me on Twitter@glenvilleashby
Memories and Musings by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh
Red Lead Press, Pennsylvania
ISBN: 978-1-4349-6530-1
Available: Amazon.com
Rating: Recommended

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