Mervyn Morris publishes eighth book of poetry

“Today we celebrate and properly recognise someone who embodies excellence,” was the proxy declaration of Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange on Sunday. She was referring to Mervyn Morris, a man whose exemplary activities have kept him in the public eye for well over half a century.

A retired professor of creative writing and West Indian literature at The University of the West Indies, Mona; a tennis player who represented the country; the first post-Independence poet laureate of Jamaica; an editor of several books; a mentor to many young Jamaican poets, he recently published his eighth book of poetry.

The occasion was the launch of the book, Last Reel (45 pages, Ian Randle Publishers), at the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) and unveiling of a bust of Morris’ executed by well-known artist Kay Sullivan. NLJ Chair Joy Douglas’ reading of the minister’s speech was followed by resounding applause from the three dozen or so friends of the poet and other lovers of literature.

Outgoing Poet Laureate Olive Senior was one of them. She, as well as the previous poet laureate, Lorna Goodison, and the poet slated to be the next one, Professor Kwame Dawes, were mentioned by the minister in the context of an augmentation of the poet laureate programme.

“I am pleased to announce,” her text read, “that efforts are under way to further institutionalise the Poet Laureate of Jamaica programme, ensuring its place in the annual Government expenditure through amendments to the National Library of Jamaica Act. A cabinet note had been prepared to this end. With increased investment, our laureates … will receive the support they need to elevate Jamaican literature at home and abroad.”

She continued, “The vision remains clear – cultural institutions such as the NLJ, the Institute of Jamaica and the Jamaica Music Museum and National Gallery and others should be an integral part of the attractions that is Kingston city. The unveiling of this bust of Prof Morris signifies not only an elevation of cultural consciousness but also enhances our tourism and research offerings to the world.”

The minister, who announced herself as “personally a fan” of Morris’ work who was looking forward to adding Last Reel to her collection, added, “I’m also excited to explore your readings through the Jamaica Poetry Archives.” She was hinting there that she wanted the poet to read some of his work into the National Archives, a large NLJ collection of various types of Jamaican literature and artifacts.

Others echoed the desire after Morris read extensively from his new book, wittily commenting on several. Morris had special thanks to the publisher, to whom, he said, he had offered the manuscript “with trepidation”, even though he and Randle had a long publishing history together.

The hesitancy came because IRP has a reputation, alluded to by Randle himself, of “not doing poetry”. To his surprise, the publisher had said earlier, when he counted, he found that his company had published “no less than 12 books of poetry”.

The 42 poems range widely in subject matter, which includes love, sex, romantic encounters, time, death and the creative process. One on the last-named, the first one, begins: “sometimes a poem/summons you/insisting/write me now/or die”. The poetic forms, too, are varied; there are lyric and dramatic poems, monologues, satirical pieces, hymns and haikus and at least one limerick.

Also reading and humorously providing insight into many of the poems was colleague educator and writer Velma Pollard. The official welcome came from National Librarian Beverley Lashley, who re-committed the NLJ to “enriching the lives of Jamaicans through our cultural heritage”.

Broadcaster and educator Fae Ellington, a lively MC who frequently had the audience in stitches, said that as an actress she had looked forward to Morris’ critiques in the newspapers. Dance-provoking music was provided by saxophonist Ian Hird.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com