Poetic Siblings: Mapmaker and Merchant meet-up in "terrible times"

It might be the worst of times economically, but two fine book presentations that bookended the transition from 2013 into 2015 make a strong case that it may well be the best of times for Jamaican writers and poets especially. At the very least, there were strong outpourings of public support for

Kei Miller

Tanya Shirley

Miller presented his prize-winning collection, The Cartographer Tries to Map a Way to Zion, to a standing ovation at the Sir Phillip Sherlock Centre in late December, and near full house turned out in the spanking new Meidcal Faculty Lecture Theatre (II) atthe same institution to support Shirley on the launch of her sophomore book "The Merchant of Feathers" Kudos to UWI's Department of Literatures in English, of which both are alumni and which endorsed both events as part of its overall programme.

Preceded by not one, but two introductory  assessments (Miller's was, in fact a dual launch - for "Cartographer" as well as for a collection of essays entitled "Writing Down the Vision") His heartfelt exposition of the collection's excerpts (done in the dialogue style of the book, with assistance), captivated the audience and no doubt fuelled, at least in part, the long line of persons buying books and/or presenting copies to be signed.

There was  similar engagement - and heavy sales traffic - for Shirley who was introduced by Miller, speaking not merely as one poet to another, but as friend to friend and , well, as poetic siblings. He detailed the inspiration for the collection (the Calabash Literary Festival figures in there) and read at least one piece from the book, "Said by A DJ at An Uptown Dance" in full.

He accorded that selection the title of " best in book" but this writer's favourite came from Shirley herself, who delivered "The People Are Deading", a commentary on our individual and collective apathy  to violence against the backdrop of the Tivoli incursion and the viral TV news sound-bite of a woman whose expression forms the title.

Djenne Greaves (left) and Tafane at "Merchant of Feathers" launch

Another common factor between the two events was the on-point musical stylings of Denne Greaves, known widely as a percussionist, he showed great command of piano and keyboard respectively, ably abetted by saxophonist Tafane Bushecab and, in the case of Miller's launch, a mini drum corp.

Of course, the two works, and others, are being presented to a wider public largely numbed by Chik-V, the IMF strictures and the ongoing dereliction of the country and its physical and socio-political infrastucture, but events like these inject a welcome dose of hope and optimism, if in nothing else, the knowledge that there are still those willing to speak (write) their minds about where we re, where we're coming from and where we might be  - and ought to be - going