Through the window…of reason

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Anyway, after a few mornings of tying up the blind, I realize something very interesting. Guess what? I did the same! I tied up the blind but didn’t open the window! Needless to say, this brought me back to how the blind was pulled but window left closed. Hm.
And this analogy is going somewhere…I am thinking that sometimes we are so focused on one thing that we neglect the next thing that seem natural to do. Perhaps there was a purpose to the window being left for me to open. I love looking out that window, into the garden and the things growing, birds feeding, zagadas frolicing etc. Inspiration flows through that window. The analogy is taking shape now..umhm.

Recently I reached out to another Caribbean author, one who has just won an award. I reached out because the novel touches on one of the topics touched in my book. I purchased this book and started reading it. So naturally, I wanted to introduce him to mine. When he didn’t reply to any of my messages, comments or links, like many others, I felt a bit disheartened , just for a little bit. Wondering why. We are both Caribbean authors, bringing our local characters to the pages, telling stories our local people want to read. Was he too busy, not interested, or perhaps my messages got hidden lost or something. But looking at his friends, the ones commenting on his book, it struck me that they might also like Force Ripe! Ah ha! So I started connecting with some of them. And I realize, just like the window was left for me to open, so I can feel the fresh morning breeze, look out there and soak up the inspiration nature offers me , just so my guardian angel has directed me, to, and through his FB page, to take the next track, next road on this journey. This morning I was reminded yet again, about the PURPOSE. We don’t always see it right away. Often others have to remind us, but it is there. There is a reason for things.  reason1

As Writers/authors, we are fed lots of stuff … the rules… what you have to do to get to here, there or wherever. We have to attract and try to hook a certain calibre of readers/writers, with certain connections, to get the right reviews, so you can get into the right periodicals, climb onto the “right platforms”. I do what I feel the inspiration and drive to do, but I really don’t like to conform to that trend or ideology or whatever it is. Right now, there’s a lot of revolutions taking place, not only in the political arena, but the literary world as well. Just look at where Force Ripe got to without a traditional publisher! Perhaps it’s time for a change. My readers are mostly the everyday, ordinary people, with whom some part of Force Ripe resonates. Their reviews are as important to me as the one from the intellect who can analyze and give a whole commentary in literary language, even in just four words to simply says, “I love that book”.

Still Tradding on…

 

journey...“You’ve done so much”, I keep hearing.  “You’ve done well”, I tell myself, at times, but I know there is so much more I want to do. So much more that can be done, because Force Ripe has so much more legs to continue trading on. I have not work on this for fourteen year,  come this far to just let it go without giving it my all. I am now at a crossroad, some kind of junction, perhaps a roundabout with too many un-marked exits.   I now have to choose  which road I will take.

Audio Version. Movie. Videos to advertise. A softer school version.  Force Ripe in book shops and libraries. Competitions. All of these are bashing around in my head and each day I research and reach out. I  ask the ones who know, knocking on every  door I find. Speaking about competitions, I seem to only hear about them with an announcement of a winner.  And if I were to follow that route, I will need a special loan! And if they are free, there is always some criteria which I don’t meet – published too early, or too late, or wrong country of residence or something! Very encouraging! I have contacted the Calabash Festival organizer. No response. I have written to several Literary “persons” and in most cases, received no response. I  have been trying and have tried again this year with the Bocas Lit Festival – such a dynamic platform for Caribbean Literature – yet it appears, Force Ripe does not fit in. Well forget about getting noticeable or accepted reviews, to help push in the right direction. You need to be recommended, and you can’t get recommended unless the recommender gives you a chance! Talk about chicken and eggs! People don’t open these doors unless they know who’s calling. Not even a crack for a little peep. Not even a peep through the curtain,  you know how you do it when  a Jahova witness you have no time for comes calling on a busy Saturday morning!!? Sometimes I does feel so damn overwhelmed and under …something….but anyway.

I think we all have some kind of calling, whether we hear or listen or heed is up to us or perhaps the stars.  Some of us are great composers of words, some great interpreters of these words. Some are great story tellers and others fantastic speakers. I want to write stories, which resonate with readers – especially the ones who don’t normally read, but loves being transported to a time and to places they can relate to, reminisce about, even learn from. So they will pick up a book like Force Ripe and confess that they could not put it down- encouraging and promoting reading. This is why I will continue to write stories which resonate with this audience.  Force Ripe evokes a mixture of emotions and takes its readers, each one, on his/her own personal journey. For some it’s a painful one, but if it helps them to face, fight and overcome, that is a purpose fulfilled.

On the advocacy route – I have been approached on the subject of being an advocate on issues which come up in my story -for example: child neglect and sexual abuse and even on the matter of the children left behind – because that is a big issue. To advocate means to speak or write in favour of;  to add a voice of support to a cause or person; someone who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.   I am against any form of abuse. However, I chose not to be that public figure or label myself. This does not at all mean I am choosing not to speak for or against those issues. And I admire those who do so, who has that purpose and fulfil them. I very carefully tried not to make Force Ripe just another child sexual abuse story. I wanted to tell Lee’s story, but also show our people, the culture, a bit of history,  all through the characters and specifically through her eyes. My thing is writing the stories. So I will keep writing and sharing my stories. In fact, I wish I had a recorder in my head! I will keep on trading on. I aim to reach as wide an audience as I can – all those with whom Force Ripe evokes special memories, give a little tickle, or effect some kind of closure. I will let Force Ripe do its thing and everyone else do theirs. Heed your calling.

Talking about sharing stories, not a week goes by without being asked if I am doing another? Or when is part two coming out. Ok. I know. The pressure is on.

 

Sharing a couple excerpts

Rasta Gal…

When we reach by the big mango warwood tree, them children from Undergoogoo, gather up there. Six of them. On Sundays, people does bathe and put on their Sunday clothes, better than the usual week clothes, but not them. All of them in their dirty raggy clothes and greasy hair. And all their ten commandments spread out on the ground.   

As soon as we pass them the biggest one shout out.

 “Rasta gal! Aye Rasta gal!”

I squeeze Carlos hand  tighter.  Walked faster.

“Eh. You en see Rasta gal! She use to live in the bush wid man, now she playin ting oui!”

She have about twelve years. People say she father does take her. She grandfather too. He doing the same thing to she little sister . The one who is just six years.

Carlos look up at me. “Carla, what is a rasta gal?”

 

 

The Ball…

“You looking sweet girl,” the photographer said.

I sat on the wall in front Horse Shoe Beach Hotel, trying to relax for my graduation photo. But only one thing on e me mind.

“Well give me a smile nuh man!” he tried again. Looking at me over he lens, ready to click.  I don’t like posing for pictures at all. I always ended up looking, either vex or as if I about to cry. I fixed my dress. Fixed my face with the best smile I could come up with.

School done and I glad. No more fighting up to study all kinds of things – like algebra, and all them dates in History that simply refuse to stay in me head. No more getting up early early morning and riding bus up and down, from country to town, feeling as if somebody beat me up when I reach. No more staying in people house, always trying to figure out what I do that cause what’s her name to stop talking to me. And I still don’t know what I  going to do now, but I well glad school done.

 

 

Force Ripe…the journey…its destiny

 

 

 

journeyFrom its conception Force Ripe has always had its own journeys to travel. It own destiny. I left Grenada on Valentines Day. A bit ironic for me as I had left during some challenging times at home. I remember sweating in the heat. Having been warned about the cold spell, I had piled on the layers. I stopped off at Marcelle’s birthday bash down Wildwoods, to collect a coat which saved me on that cold, four and a half hour flight. I said my good byes and headed to the airport. Jetblue to New York. The plan: a few days in New York , go to Toronto for the Grenada Independence Showcase, back New York and home to Grenada.

I sat on the airport waiting for my flight, my mind heavy with the challenges instead of joy and excited about this brave venture. So heavy that I couldn’t even move myself to hand out my Force Ripe bookmarks, which I had ready at hand. It was rather refreshing when a young man, loaded with camera bag etc. sat next to me and started chatting right away. Next thing I know he is doing a quick on the spot interview, which was posted on Whatzup NY, which made me cringe every time I looked at it! It did get some good traffic. The journey had begun.

I arrived at JFK to a kind of cold I once knew, but which my beautiful Grenada had wiped from my memory. It was hostile. As if to say “you wretch you! In New York you want! Take it in your backside!” But there was Mr Johncrow Alexander, waiting, coat, gloves and scarf in hand and the car door held open!! And the journey continued.

My connection with Johncrow came through Wendy Crawford Daniel. Now Wendy is one passionate Force Ripe angel! From the time she read Force Ripe, she began her own personal campaign, spreading that infectious love she has with everyone she meets, full force! Wendy almost sold more books than me! But what is most commendable, and I admire and respect her most for, is the fact that she is an author herself. But she had no reservations whatsoever. I am ever so thankful for support like hers.

And like an athlete in a relay, Johncrow Alexander took on the baton and did a “jaguar”run with it. Well known as the voice of the Caribbean Classroom TV show, and being a very well connected man of action, he put down a good “Kirani Run” in truth- putting together the first event in Brooklyn , Ladies of Words, with three other authors of Caribbean decent , Claudette Spence, Tyrrel Ebony and Nandi Kai. My very first event of its kind. A Literary evening to present Force Ripe in a room packed with pride, familiar faces and almost tangible emotions. It was a much needed ice breaker for me to start this first event, looking into the faces of people who had connected with me in one way or another, through Facebook, through friends and family and of course through Mr Johncrow himself. The Grenada Independence Showcase in Toronto followed. It was the event which I left home for. I had done my ground work, pushing Force Ripe, especially on Facebook, since its publication, at the end of September 2015- I will now give myself a little pat on the back- I was pushing it so hard, I was sure people were starting to get tired of seeing it. But it’s my baby and I am determined to give it my all!

Of course I had the challenge of how I was going to afford that trip. But when I get something set in my head to do, and I feel the passion, it will be done! So I set to work, making contact whith the Consulate in Toronto and got connected to Trisha Mitchell, the coordinator of the event. Some contacts and inquiries made by my good friend and ardent supporter, Cathy Beharry-Ayanwale, Table booked, I set to work on making it happen. It was when Johncrow came along, and with the support of my friend Judy Antoine, they represented me at the New York Independence celebrations , selling out the books which I had sent him, that I saw the reality. Ticket funds.

And so the journey continued, From Toronto, I travelled to Montreal. An opportunity which came about while I was in New York. And it warms my heart to see how well Force Ripe was embraced by the Grenadian communities. The people who came out gave their genuine support, especially the Grenada Association in Montreal, together with Honorary Consul, Mr Leonard Wharwood. They pulled together an event which packed our Grenadians supporters into a cosy room at Le Spot, perfect setting for an intimate evening of sharing poetry, readings, making connections. Gemma Raeburn- Baynes’ Taste of Tea followed – a very different event with a very diverse audience. Force Ripe make its appearance and I enjoyed an evening tasting tea with some amazing women and a wonderful musical experience which touched my core! That guy reminded me of Barracuda, he was Italian also. Amazing thing he did with opera! Loved it. And I cannot forget my evening at the home of Dolliver Lewis and his family, a fellow  Grenadian and generous supporter. What a spread! Topped off with a well stocked bar and toast with Champaign! Thank you Dolliver and Marsha!

Atlanta was next. And it was warm, both the people and the weather. Sherryl Calliste Thegg, the president of the Spice of the Caribbean Association of Georgia, through connections made by Johncrow, accommodated me and organized a great event with a Caribbean mix, a lovely spread of delicious food and music to celebrate with dancing- another passion of mine. Perfect end to the evening.
Washington DC was my final stop before the last few events in New York. And the Embassy, co-ordinated by Ms Dianne Perrotte, even at very short notice, organized an Evening of Literary sharing, an event which carried its own weight in the literary Arena, with Grenadian Dr Merle Collins, and authors Jewel Daniel Amethyst, and Carol Mitchell, (recently shortlisted for the CODE Burt Award for Caribbean Literature), both from St Kitts. It was a beautiful evening of readings, reconnecting, rekindling and celebrating with friends and colleagues.

After DC, the next stop in Brooklyn was at MCG Grand Cafe- run by Mr and Mrs Gibbs, who invited me to present Force Ripe at their popular little restaurant and Grenadian hang out. And those impromptu events were the best sellers.
The tour ended with another literary evening at the LAC Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Centre in Queens, sharing the platform with some great Ladies of Words and music, and culminated with more celebrations at the home of fellow Grenadian, Frances Purcell, on Easter Sunday. And after three very long days, I returned to my Isle of Spice. Nice.

Now I have a lot of people to thank. To everyone who has been involved, made contributions, no matter in what way, how big or small. Thank you!! Even before I left Grenada, my friend Marilyn, living in Montreal, had been boxing her brain about how to get me to bring Force Ripe to Montreal. She took on the task of mobilizing on her end, sending out emails, making calls, forwarding information. She was so determined to get me to Montreal, she even bough my train ticket, accommodated and really looked after for me. Boy do I have thanks to give!! I must recognise this as the collective effort it was. This community coming together out of passion and yearning for something which brought them back to a place which they loved, a time they treasure and something they could relate to, identify with. You were all very amazing- providing accommodation, transport. In cases, people who didn’t even know me. The support was tremendous. Every event was different in its own rights, and equally successful in more ways than one. This journey has been a special one, not only of sharing my book Force Ripe with that part of the world, but one of great learning, giving, receiving, trials and a lot of loving too.

Every once in a while, something or someone comes along that makes a difference and Force Ripe is one of them. From its conception, way back in 2001 to publication in 2015, it has been on several journeys and from the response it has been receiving, it is evident that it has also touched many in so many different ways.

Mr Johncrow Alexander- the man with the big voice and the connections, you used them to mobilize the support of your contacts, pull together those events where I had a platform to share my story, my experience. You got in the driver’s seat and helped to steer Force Ripe into a different path, changing the course of its journey. But you did much more than that, and I sincerely thank you and your family. I am full of gratitude. And all of the angels who were sent along the way to lend a hand, to direct and to guide my movements on this Journey. Big Thanks to EVERYONE!!!

Photos from tour.

Ladies of Words – Brooklyn New York

For More photos check out the links below

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1116366055054964/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008291231865

 

 

 

Recognising Unsung Guyanese & Caribbean Literary Talent

This excerpt was featured by Harold Bascom, Guyanese author of 101 WORDS THAT TELL YOU’RE GUYANESE’ http://www.laughingpalette.com/

millie pirhaHarold also illustrated Mammy sitting on her pirha.

(The intent of this new column is to showcase the writing of unrecognized and unsung writers in Guyana and the Caribbean. Today, I feature an excerpt (chapter 7) from the novel, ‘FORCE RIPE’, by Ms. CINDY MCKENZIE, from the island of Grenada. Please enjoy.

RED WATER BOOTS

By Cindy McKenzie

Mammy sit down on the pirha (very low stool), naked as she was born, with the bath pan in front her, between she legs. And she legs open wide wide, as if she catching fly! The only thing covering Mammy naked self is she hair. She look just like a mermaid, with she hair spread out on she back and all down to she bamsie.

On Saturdays, Mammy does bathe outside in the yard. Me and Rally does put water in the bath pan and leave it out in the sun to warm up. And when the sun move, we have to move the pan round the yard to catch the sun.
“Beti come an scrub Mammy back for her nuh”, Mammy call from behind the house.
“Ah comin Mammy,” I say. I downstairs again in Auntie Liz books. And even though Mammy always making me shame, I still running and do everything she say.
“Come, Beti. Take the corn stick and scrub Mammy back.”
Mammy gather up she hair and put it over one shoulder. She hair fall over she flat taytay (breasts). Mammy taytay so flat, they look like two ripe zabouca (avocado pear) that fall down from a tall tree and flatten on the ground. And she bamsie flat flat too, as if she does sit down too much.
The concrete feel wet and warm under me bare feet. I gather up the front of me dress and stick it between me legs, so it wouldn’t get wet. And I start to scrub Mammy back with the old corn stick.
Mammy legs and she arms tough and dry like the skin on a fowl foot, but she back and she bamsie look soft and smooth, like baby skin.
“Scrub it hard nuh,” Mammy say.
So I scrub harder.
“Yes, harder. Go up some more. Yes, scrub it right dey. Scrub it hard. Scrub it hard.”
And me hand tired! But I scrub and scrub. I scrub Mammy back with all me little strength, but she still want me to scrub it harder, as if she can’t feel.
“It good now?”’ I ask Mammy, because me hand tired and the hot concrete starting to burn me feet.
“Soap it up for me now,” Mammy say, and she rub the Carbolic soap on she panty and give me to soap she back. And I don’t know why Mammy doesn’t use a rag because I don’t like to touch she panty at all.
I rub she back until it full of pink froth. Then when I bend down to rinse out me hands in the bath pan, me eyes fall between Mammy legs. I pull back me head quick quick, before Mammy say I rude. One time when I was rubbing Papa back, I see he little squinge-up willie too, but it didn’t have no straight grey hair like Mammy.
When Mammy finish bathing, she wipe up sheself with the dress she just take out. The same dirty dress she have on whole week. Even though she have a whole set of new towels in the trunk. Then she put on the dress and go inside.
I in the back of the house emptying out the soapy water from the pan and watching it run down between the fence, pass the cocoa trees and down to the pear tree.
Rover start barking. Rover come from a worker on the estate where Papa is the Overseer. Rover look like a real wolf dog. He have grey fur. He ears black, and he have black patches on he belly and he legs. The day Papa bring Rover home he say, “Rally boy, look what Papa bring for you.” And Papa grinning at Rally.
And I know Papa say that, because he know how much Rally like animals.
“Miss Milleeey. Ah passin.” Porridge call from the road.
I empty the water real quick, turn down the bath pan and dash up in front the yard.
Rover barking and running up the bank of the yard. He know Porridge so he not growling. He just barking to let us know somebody in the yard.
“What you have today?” Mammy ask him. She just come out from she room and she have on she Saturday dress. It not as old as the ones she does wear to go in the mountain. But she don’t have on shoes. Mammy does never wear shoes when she home. She don’t have on she glasses either and she looking real nice, with she wet hair hanging down round she face.
“Man ah have everyting today!” Porridge say, coming down the bank, with he grip on he head.
Porridge does pass round on Saturdays selling all kinds of nice things. And he does stop by every house – by Miss Jean down the road, even though she don’t have to buy nothing because she children in America; by Auntie Jeanette veranda, to show her the new church shoes because she like to dress up real nice when she going to church; and then he stop by Miss Kay before he reach by us.
“Come down, come down,” Mammy tell him.
She sit down on the bench in the kitchen combing she wet hair. She put coconut oil in it and she combing it from the back to the front, so all she hair fall down over she face. Then she comb it to the side, over she left shoulder.
Papa by he table with a big grin on he face, waiting for Porridge.
Porridge take he time coming down the steps. He holding on to he old grip with one hand and the side of the house with the other hand. He does carry he grip on he head without holding it, just like how Mammy does carry she bucket of nutmegs. And he always have on he khaki shirt-jack inside he khaki pants, pants waist tie up with a piece of string and pants legs roll up, as if he going and cross a river. He old brown shoes look too big for him and he brown hat look like something rat bite up.
I does smell Porridge even before he reach by the kitchen; just like I does smell Mr Fin before he even reach the veranda. Porridge smell as if he clothes come out under a mattress, with old bedding.
I plant meself on the step. I restless, as if me bamsie full of jigger. I can’t wait for Porridge to open up the grip, to see all them nice things he does have. Rally behind the kitchen interfering with the chickens and making the mother hen vex.
Porridge put the grip down on the kitchen floor and he sit down in front the door. He take out he hat, put it on the floor and scratch he head – it bald like Papa head, with some grey hair sticking out on the top.
“Papa, how tings man?” Porridge ask.
“Well ah dey holding on boy,” Papa say, smiling.
“Well what else you go do? You have to hold on yes Pa. You have to hold on.”
Mammy ask Porridge if he want some juice.
“Well… yea mammy! Dat sun real hot today!” Porridge say. “It go cool me down a likkle bit.”
“Beti, come an take some juice for Porridge,” Mammy say.
I have to pass over Porridge foot to go inside the kitchen.
“How you do darlin? You good?” Porridge ask, as if he just see me. He grinning like Papa. And he looking real funny because he face wrinkle up like a force ripe mango skin. And he don’t have no teeth. And Rally say he sure a rammer pass on Porridge nose, buss he nose flat.
I pour out some juice in a white enamel cup and little bits of dirtiness float up on top. Mammy does sweeten the juice with brown sugar and she doesn’t even strain it. She does just skim out the lime seeds with a spoon. One time I even see her taking out the seeds with she fingers.
“Dat’s a nice gurl,” Porridge say when I give him the cup. He gulp down the juice, gluck gluck gluck, in one go, he throat moving up and down like a snake.
“Ahhhhh! Ah feel better now. Tank you eh doodoo.” Porridge give me the empty cup.
“You want some food?” Mammy ask him.
“Well yes man, if you have,” he say.
And I know he done eat by people down the road already, because ‘Never Refuse’ is he next name.
Mammy raise up sheself from the bench, as if she raising something real heavy.
“Oh bon jé oh! Dat knee go kill me oui mama!” She hold on to she knee.
“Aa. You knee givin trouble too? Mine does play it want to knock me down sometimes. But ah not givin up for it at all. Put saffron on it. Dat’s what does give me a ease up oui!” Porridge tell Mammy. And when she give him the plate, if you see grin! “But Miss, Millie you is a good lady you know.”
And I there waiting for him to open the grip but he eating slow, slow. And I wondering how Porridge go eat the dumpling, but he cut them up as if he gum is teeth!
“Well girl, let me pinch you a likkle gossip nuh,” Porridge say. And he start telling Mammy about he neighbour, who daughter come out from England. And how the woman work so hard under the cocoa to send she daughter in England. Now she come back and build a big, big mansion, while she mother still living in a little shack all the way behind God back! Then he tell Mammy about how Miss Mary daughter pass aswell, because she getting married to “a school teacher oui!” And Mammy put in she two pence, saying how the teacher go “lif up she head from the mud.” But Porridge say he hope she don’t forget the mud she come out from. Then they talk about that good-for-nothing boy up the road, who don’t want to work at all. “All de boy good for is to take he mother two pence when she sell she nutmeg. And de boy doesn’t even help de woman to pick up de damn nutmeg you know! Ah Lord!”
And me jigger jooking bad. I itching for Porridge to open the grip. The last time, when Porridge pass, he had some red water boots in he grip. I wished Mammy buy them for me but she only buy something for Rally.
“Dat back and neck nice boy. Where you get nice meat so?” Porridge ask when he finish eating and scrape the bowl clean.
“By Mr Belton shop. He have some nice one this morning,” Mammy tell him.
I don’t like the stew chicken because Mammy cook it with all the fat and the skin, and all the oil floating on top of the gravy.
Then at last, Porridge open up the grip. And me eyes pop out me head. Porridge old grip just like a real treasure chest that you does see in pictures. He have all kinds of things in it and he know where to put he hand on everything.
“You have more in dose nice black panties today?” Mammy ask. And I know Mammy have one amount of new panties in the trunk in she room. Some of them still in the packet. So I don’t know what Mammy asking Porridge if he have panties for. And she does never throw away those old raggy ones.
“How you mean if ah have panty. Ah have everyting inside here! Just say wat you want.”
And he start to take out things from the grip: sheets, tablecloth, dungaree trousers, shirts, shoes, then he pull out a plastic bag full with panties. And I wondering how all that thing fit inside that little grip.
“Ah have black, blue, red. Any colour you want. Just say.”
“Give me two in the big black ones.”
“Ah have razor blades for Papa too. And ah have some nice water boots for the likkle one too,” he say. “Come doodoo. Come and try it on.”
He move some more things, then he pull out the water boots. And me little heart start to dance up. I jump down from the sofa. Me eyes stick on the water boots.
“Dey nice eh. You like dem?” Porridge ask me.
“Mm hmm,” I say. He grinning and I grinning more.
The water boots bright red, like them hibiscus flowers. And they shining.
“Try dem on nuh doodoo,” Porridge say.
I watch Mammy. She not looking at me. She finish plaiting she hair and she two long plaits lie down on she chest like an Apache Indian. Mammy watching Porridge but she not saying nothing.
I take the boots and sit down to try them on. The plastic feel smooth like glass and it smelling strong, like new balloons. I push me left foot in. Mammy say you must always try on the left side first because the left foot bigger than the right. I wiggle me foot in it. Stamp stamp, for me foot to go down. It fit me real nice. I put on the other side and I stand up for Porridge to see. Mammy watching but she still don’t say anything yet.
“They nice eh? And it look like dey make dem jus for you, doodoo,” Porridge say. “Walk round in the yard and see how dey feelin nuh.”
So I step over Porridge and walk up and down the steps. Me eyes stick on the boots. And I grinning like a Cheshire cat. I imagine skipping down to the garden with Papa in me new boots; playing the potholes in the road when rain fall; walking in mud and all kinds of things in me water boots.
“You Mammy go buy them for you man,” Porridge say.
“Fah who?” Mammy ask. “Fah that Peeya!”
I sit back down. Me heart stop dancing too.
Papa sitting there like a little lamb, watching Porridge and scratching he legs. Grup, grup, grup. I wish that Papa could buy them for me but he never have money. Any money Papa get from working in the mountain, he have to give Mammy.
Rally come in the kitchen when Porridge packing back the things. Mammy send him for she purse to pay for the panties and the green top he ask her for. I put down the water boots and I go downstairs with something jooking me chest.

That evening when I open the door to go and get the oil to rub Papa head, the sun shine on something red and shiny by Papa table. Me heart start to prance up and down.
That evening, I don’t even go outside and play. I oil Papa head until it get shiny like the water boots. And when he say scratch he back, I scratch it until he tell me that enough. Me hands never even get tired.
“You coming wid Papa to see de calf tomorrow?” Papa ask. “You should see little Carrie, man. She frisky and she strong for so! You go put on you new boots eh.”
Whole night I praying for tomorrow to hurry up.

THE END

Please click on the following link to be taken to Ms. Cindy McKenzie’s novel, ‘FORCE RIPE’ on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Force-Ripe-Cindy-McKenzie/dp/1517069688/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449321675&sr=1-1&keywords=force+ripe+cindy

Mango season

mango season I just finished sucking two little mango Julie, thanks to my neighbours mango tree and the fact  that they never bother with it much. Just two you know, even though is mango season and mango spoiling some places- only flies and congeries feasting them. I wish I could sit down and lick up a whole wash-pan (wash basin) everyday, but I still find myself having to ration the few I does get, because my daughter love them even more then me.

When I was a little girl, when mango in season we living in the garden, under mango trees. Whole day we liming in the garden until they call us to come and eat, but we bellies always full of mangoes. We had two mango Julie in the garden and the Mango Row – the boundary between our land and the neighbour’s land. The mango row stared up by the road, with a mango Flim- a long juicy green-skin mango that even nicer when you squeeze it up to make tuturups (soft, runny), followed by three mango coot that nobody studying unless mango scarce. Then the mango starchy- small, sweet and clean to eat. After the starchy, was the mango sour-sweet. That was my favourite because were the prettiest mangoes in the Row- sunshine yellow with red, purple, green spots. And couldn’t have been more aptly named, because you could bite into such juicy sweetness that soon turns into the most mouth-watering, teeth edging sourness you ever tasted, by the time you get to the seed. I used to collect them just to look at them. Then more mango coot, making more mess on the road and the ravine at the bottom of the land.

There was a coconut row along the mango row too, and we cashew, guava, golden apples, damson, oranges , manderines, plums – because Papa planted every fruit he could get hold of. And people never used to have to buy mangoes like now. So when we get tired with the mango row, we used to go up the road in mango Warwood, in Mr Georgie land, or the Palrie by Uncle Maurice.
So yes, is mango season now, and all I seeing is flies and congeries and not enough mangoes, unless I go by MNIB and force myself to buy some of them Force Ripe one they have there.

But hear nuh, me and my son just planted two mango Julie in the garden, and when I tell him I want one in the front garden, he reminding me of all the mangoes falling and the flies and congeries they gonna attract. And I had to let him know that I have no intension of letting any mango fall and spoil. I can’t wait for maturity. How long they does take again? Because I does see some little little mango trees bearing fruits when their branches not even strong enough to hold leaves! But all I know is I not letting NONE spoil. Cant wait! I turning down all pots when they start, and is mango stew, chutney, jam, mango cheese. I making mango pie and all! And when they too soft- mango juice and smoothies. I might even have a grandchild or two by that time, so we could full up we wash pan and sit down on me green bench under the Neem and lick up mango till we get shittings!! Haha. No siree, no mango Julie en spoiling on my front garden.