IN MEMORY OF ANSON

FAREWELL ANSON WE WILL REMEMBER YOU

Writers Union of Trinidad and Tobago (WUTT) had its National Poetry Day Celebration on Saturday 17th October in memory of Poet Laureate Anson Gonzalez. The evening was spent with readings of his work and a presentation by Dr. Rose-Ann Walker, writer and educator who was personally mentored by Anson. The evening went nicely and our guest speaker Dr Walker really spiced up the evening with her spunky, interesting personality. There were some other "Big Names" who read in his honour as well, though I can't remember their names. I also read a poem that I had recently written in honour of Anson, very short and sweet but effective in conveying the message that he will forever live on in his work and in the many seeds of love he had planted.

This is Dr Ross-Ann Walker reading a poem   

written for Anson by Ms Jennifer Rahim.

These are the two other Big Names I mention,                           

 the lady in the middle is a Dr.

And of course, this is me doing my reading, honouring Anson with my poem. This was an unplanned thing though, as I had class that day and was in class, when I was asked to read via a message on face book. Yeah for the power of face book, go social media. Anyway, I was glad to be part of this as I too was mentored by this great man for a short period before he migrated.                                                                                                    

MY POEM IN HONOUR OF ANSON GONZALEZ

THE MASTER IS GONE

After he left

Mouths could not speak

Limbs stood frozen

Eyes became filled

And all lamented his leaving

Then, laughter rang out

And praises resonate

Echoes of euphoric memories

As fingers caressed ink-stained pages

Even the silence spoke

In celebrant jubilee

And New Voices shouted from dusty shelves

Reminiscence of his labour of love and mastery

Evidence of his immortality

By Cheryl Griffith