Errol St John Stephenson
In the poet’s words which project a clear image of the ghetto environment and evoke the introverted feelings of a community exasperated by its situation and their ultimate solution for escape, came their denial and confused ideology. 'In my hand, there is a gun. Deep, deep in my heart there is revenge.' The cry is agonizing, stained by frustration. It is the reflection of a society warped by social injustice, of minds poisoned by revenge.As a nation, our conscience is pricked by the poet’s scorching words. We are moved by the embarrassing plights of our brothers. We are touched by his grief in 'Unemployed' concerned for his welfare and future, a dark illusion. We travel through his mind to spiritual world and hear his questioning prayer, 'How Long I Pray.' As he unravels his mind, we are engulfed in his humane nature, we hear his talk about his 'Friend' then we are wrapped up into romanticism. We perceive his erotic desires and feelings in 'My Woman.' Indeed, we can see variety of its theme and conclude this is someone having experienced life in its fullness.This book of poems comes at a time when our nation is once again undergoing a transition, and will no doubt serve as a stimulant to our minds. Its theme and message will at the most evoke that humane nature deep within us, motivated to help someone from a miserable condition, now that we are aware of it. Invariably, the aim of the poet is to garner this response to this critical problem, which he himself has experienced over time.
