Professor Emeritus and former Poet Laureate of Jamaica Mervyn Morris’s newest collection of verse, Last Reel, was recently launched at the National Library of Jamaica in downtown Kingston. In this eighth collection, Morris’s prodigious talent, as ever, is on full display with his characteristically brief but tightly constructed poems that explore a range of themes like love, sex, time and death, among others.

The launch event was emceed by broadcaster Fae Ellington and saw readings from Morris himself as well as colleague educator and writer Velma Pollard. The intimate gathering received an official welcome came from National Librarian Beverley Lashley, while musical offerings came by way of saxophonist Ian Hird. The launch of Last Reel, which was published by Ian Randle Publishers, included the unveiling of a bust of Morris created by Jamaican artist Kay Sullivan.

In a speech brought by the chair of the board of management of the National Library Joy Douglas on behalf of Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange, it was revealed that the Government will be allocating more funds to the Poet Laureate of Jamaica programme.

“Efforts are under way to further institutionalise the Poet Laureate of Jamaica Programme, ensuring its place in the annual government’s expenditure budget through amendments of the National Library of Jamaica Act,” the minister noted, adding that “laureates such as Professor Morris, Lorna Goodison and Olive Senior and future appointees like Professor Kwame Dawes, will receive the support they need to elevate Jamaican literature, both at home and abroad”.

“The unveiling of this bust of Professor Mervyn Morris signifies not only an elevation of cultural consciousness, but also enhances our tourism and research offerings to the world,” Grange also added.

Meanwhile, Douglas said that busts will be created to commemorate past and future laureates.

“We do believe that it is important for societies to permanently lionise persons we have selected as exemplifying the best of us. So, it will continue,” she said.

Mervyn Morris’s books of poetry include The Pond, Shadowboxing, Examination Centre, I been there, sort of: New and Selected Poems, and On Holy Week. He has edited The Faber Book of Contemporary Caribbean Short Stories and published Is English We Speaking, and other essays.

Last Reel is 45 pages and consists of 42 poems.

Professor Mervyn Morris reads from a copy of his book entitled Last Reel during a book launch held at the National Library of Jamaica in Kingston on Sunday, April 21.