Train

as the train sings its metal tune

I decide that its time for pen to make love to paper

to gently caress sheets of white

with scribbles and shades of blue

bring to life boring A4 stripped

I might be able to relax
and chase away head hurts of stress

the reoccurring theme of my day today

as my space fills with earthy dusty smells of the tunnel I am in

I think of work and this journey

and how life consuming it can be

with the greys and blacks of how inside this train can be

the stress tension decides to travel

from my forehead to the bridge over my nose
I then rub

as the train hums to a still at the platform

not moving dead

pausing my journey in the rush-ness of time

the pen lays downs and rests for awhile

and I think how relaxing writing can be
and I dream dreams of being somewhere else
and I know I can run free and stroke the warmth of the sun
the trains jolts to a start
ending my dream







Copyright © 2012 Sonneteer Articulates (aka Traysi Matthew, Traysi Speaks)
All rights reserved. No portion of this post may be reproduced, 
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by 
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or 
otherwise without the express written permission from Sonneteer Articulates (aka Traysi Matthew, Traysi Speaks)

Me and My Identity

This is a poem that I wrote for a Black history month event in October 2012. And in a nutshell it describes me, my understanding of me-ness and who I am as a young Black woman (well one of the elements, there are many more that I would like to explore)...

 

Tropical heat kisses me with a warmth that’s new to me

It whispers smooth melodies welcoming me to my home

And taking a deep breath I do feel at home

Like the prodigal son returning to his birth home

Stepping out of the plane

 I smile and I smell an air so sweet

And I hear conversations and tongues dancing to a calypso beat

I see a vista of people so beautiful it overwhelms my expectations

Awakening me from a state of heritage starvation 

My parental kinsfolk equals my people

Excluding them makes me feel partial

Eye crowds search me with curiosity

And I feel I am at a place I was always meant to be

Shouting out are shouts of ecstasy

Kissable lips brushing me

Blissfulness surrounding me

I am no longer an island absentee

Separation of years washed away with gleeful tears

And necklace hugs eagerly consume me

Snugly I embrace the skin to face

I sigh a relief of something lost now found

Reunited finally to my family

I have come to a land my parents spoke about

They dreamed great dreams about

Speaking of childhood tales of laughter laughed about

And shedding tears as things became a distant memory

Like kids sitting in the veranda sipping hot coco tea

Or carving dolls out of the mango seed

And beware of the obea who lived in the bush next door

When you go out to pee at night in the pit out the back door

This lands culture it’s embedded into mine

It’s formed a complete uniqueness that’s all mine

I am forcefully claiming my identity

Optimistically hoping that they’ll accept me 

Lifelong I have lived in the realm of sub and co cultures

And I am content with all the elements that make up me

I am British I am Grenadian

And I feel like I have been here before
 

In my dreams it was me catching crayfish down in the raven

And liming for hours on end dipping in the endless rivers, lakes and seas

My arm hurts from beating the co co in the iron pot

And my feet sting with ant bites from running bare foot

I’ve jumped out the truck with my cousin and his cutlass

Chasing the manicou into the deep dark bush

J’Ouvert morning it was me covered in mud doing the jump up

Next day savouring the juices of the mango and soursup

I have created my own memories

I am thankful for the opportunities

I have been awaken from a state of heritage starvation

I am no longer an island absentee

My Grenada it is my isle of spice







Copyright © 2012 Sonneteer Articulates (aka Traysi Matthew, Traysi Speaks)
All rights reserved. No portion of this post may be reproduced, 
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by 
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or 
otherwise without the express written permission from Sonneteer Articulates (aka Traysi Matthew, Traysi Speaks)

busy doing nothing

unproductiveness of busyness

how does that even make sense?

but people always understand its meaning

like taking steps and going nowhere

a waste of energy and time

things could be done better spent

giving a purpose

a destiny

items ticked of the to do list

or space just to be

and sit in the stillness of time

enjoying the emptiness for a change

being consumed by thoughts

and its peace in being able to reflect on things that deserve time






Copyright © 2013 Sonneteer Articulates (aka Traysi Matthew, Traysi Speaks)
All rights reserved. No portion of this post may be reproduced, 
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by 
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or 
otherwise without the express written permission from Sonneteer Articulates (aka Traysi Matthew, Traysi Speaks)

Just a moment (Nov11)

in this moment of still I find
a slot of peace
just a small one and a moment in time
were I can express my thoughts
toys crash in the background
and machine moans its load
baby swallows and sucks
small hand caressing my fleece gown
something is being dragged along the floor
kicked by a young mind
who's bored






Copyright © 2011 Sonneteer Articulates (aka Traysi Matthew, Traysi Speaks)
All rights reserved. No portion of this post may be reproduced, 
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by 
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or 
otherwise without the express written permission from Sonneteer Articulates (aka Traysi Matthew, Traysi Speaks)

Here I am

Here I am
I was told and did not quite understand until I was looking and found
A comfort indescribable
A love inconceivable
A spiritual commitment that reached far beyond human comprehension
Like awaking into a room of deep darkness suddenly being flooded with light
I finally understood
A love that overwhelms my soul with warmth and a comfort that holds tight and lets go never
Forever shinning smiled filled thoughts in moments of sadness
The calming soft voice in the mist of life’s madness

 A love that falls down suddenly
 Heavy with the presence of the almighty
A welcoming love that waits with arms open wide and says
My child come
Be still
You can cry…
You can utter sobbed words you may not understand
My love is acceptance next to you I will stand
Be free stay with me be the best that I want you to be
Made with love made by God you are a sure creation
Birthed into this world eyes looked at you in loves fascination
Known since formed in the womb you are loved

God is love and the hand that guides in the right direction
Foot stepping through the valleys of shadows
And drought
And doubt
And conviction
And mistakes drown in guilt and condemnation
And the days of dodging the voice of love that whispers
I love you stop running
Love is grace and the patience in the growth towards Christlikeness
And the opportunity to start again in Christianity
In forgiveness that love is the blood power that creates a new chapter
Taking away pre salvation insanity
Birthed into a love church love unity love community

God is love and love is God and through God love can be found
Transforming ourselves into vessels of love
Used by God to bring messages of love
Love to a neighbor, a friend, a complete stranger
Like Jesus befriending the tax collector
To walk the path of kindness and show compassion
And live with a passion for those in need
Those who don’t believe
Those you may not understand
Who need an ear to listen
A shoulder to cry on Someone to rely upon
A heart felt hello in times of loneliness
A helping hand to share life’s burden with
Called to love and bring the gift of love
Here I am
You will say Its time for me to share my love
Here I am….






Copyright © 2013 Sonneteer Articulates (aka Traysi Matthew, Traysi Speaks)
All rights reserved. No portion of this post may be reproduced, 
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by 
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or 
otherwise without the express written permission from Sonneteer Articulates (aka Traysi Matthew, Traysi Speaks)