EACH month the Poetry Society of Jamaica meets at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts to fellowship. This meeting of the minds offers a unique space to hear and critique the work of established and emerging writers and poets. Last week, the featured poet was St Lucian Vladimir Lucien.

Currently the writer in residence at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Lucien read a number of pieces from his collection Sounding Ground.

Among the works which went over well with the captive audience were Centipede, Ital, Bush Tea, and Black Light. The latter inspired by the work of Guyanese political activist and scholar Walter Rodney.

There is a simplicity to Lucien’s work, but therein lies the complexity of the stories he weaves with that strong thread of Caribbean life and living.

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer following his presentation, the poet said he was pleased with how his work was received, noting that it was “nice dealing with a receptive audience” and, therefore, he felt comfortable. This, he added, helped to decide what works to read.

“Sometimes I gauge the spirit and vibe of a place. But a number of things happened here because I chose a number of poems that I do not often read. I decided to bring some of these and try it out. The stage, for me, is a both place to read and perform, but also to experiment. I use the stage to experiment with audiences and particular work. I wanted to read some stuff that I had not read in a while…I tried not to read crowd pleasers and dare myself to read poems that I don’t feel as confident reading,” he said.

Lucien is the fourth writer in residence at The UWI and first non-Jamaican to occupy that position, following on the heels of writers Erna Brodber and Kei Miller, as well as filmmaker Storm Saulter.

Lucien can next be seen on stage at the Calabash Literary Festival In Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth in June.

— Richard Johnson