Duane Francis
Georgia Hemmings, Staff Reporter
FIVE JAMAICANS are among poets from 40 countries nominated for the title of "Poet of the Year 2000" conferred by the International Society of Poets (ISP) based in Maryland, United States.
The nominess will be competing at the ISP's 10th anniversary convention and symposium scheduled for next month in Washington, D.C.
The ISP is described as "the largest and most active poetry society in the world, comprised of dedicated poets from all around the world".
During the convention, the literary offerings from the participants will be presented and judged for the title, and the winner is expected to receive a US$5,000 cash prize and a book publishing contract.
Additionally, other gift and cash prizes are expected to be awarded during the celebration, among them a US$,1000 Young Poet's Scholarship. Poetry workshops, rap sessions, critique sessions, and entertainment are also being planned for the three-day convention between Auguust 18 and 20.
In a telephone interview with The Sunday Gleaner last week, ISP spokesman Steve Michaels observed that the number of Jamaicans in this year's contest was more than previous years. And he pointed out that, while no Jamaican has ever won the coveted titled, a Jamaican nominee advanced to the semi-final round of the contest in 1998.
Among the five Jamaicans finalists is Duane Francis, a first-year drama student at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA).
He explained to The Sunday Gleaner that his entry poem, Born to Win, became part of the contest through the efforts of a friend in the U.S. He had written the poem in response to the need for some light, inspirational verse for the kindergarten children taught by his friend.
"Next thing I knew, she had entered the poem on my behalf in an international poetry contest on the Internet," Mr. Francis explained. "And, in April I got a letter informing me of the nomination and my chance of winning this title and several other prizes."
Mr. Francis said if he wins he could seriously consider the possibility of a full-time career as a poet. Currently enrolled in a three-year course at EMCVPA, he has worked previously in his family's business, and done a one-year teaching stint. He has been writing poetry since 1993, and had a poem published in The Sunday Gleaner in 1995. Recently, he recorded a cassette of poems which he hopes to release soon.
But, as he explained, "Here in Jamaica, it's quite hard to earn a living as a full-time poet. A full-time career in the arts is usually viewed as a cop-out from the real world of work."
Getting poems published poses a difficulty, as local publishers contend there is hardly any market for that kind of literature.
If he does not win the main prize, 29-year-old Mr. Francis has a chance with several other prizes and opportunities. As a result of his nomination he will be inducted as a member of the ISP in August 18-20. This will give him an opportunity to be part of a worldwide network of established and aspiring poets.
He will also be given the opportnity to read his entry poem during the celebrations, and be awarded a "Poet of Merit" medallion and plaque.
Mr. Francis is looking forward to the convention, largely for the experience of collaborating with poets from around the globe, although it is not clear who the other Jamaican nominees are. He describes his poems as "quite good," although they are not the "protest or dub kind of poetry to which many Jamaican audiences are accustomed.
"My verses are shorter, lighter and more inspirational," Mr. Francis explained.
He plans to work on marketing the casette he recorded earlier this year, as well as developing a poetry website on the Internet.
Through it all Mr. Francis claims to have the continuous support of his parents and siblings, as well as friends and colleagues from the Poetry Society of Jamaica (PSJ) of which he is a member.
PSJ President Tommy Ellis described the nomination as an honour for Mr. Francis, who he described as a "good poet," and "quite entertaining," given the dialect form of his verses.
"He is quite a performer, too, with his background in drama," Mr. Ellis said. "And he has performed regularly at the Society's monthly meetings and other variety concerts.
Born to Win
I'm a winner
I'm a star
Watch me shine
I'm a winner
I'm a star
The world is mine
Don't try to take away my dreams
Because I'm gonna make it anyway
You can't stop me or anyone else
Because I have confidence in myself
Cause I'm a winner
I'm a star
Watch me shine
I'm a winner
I'm a star
The world is mine.
- Duane Francis
