A dream st ill unfulfilled - The Poetry Society remembers what could have been

Many may not know that there is a Poetry Society in Jamaica, but there is. Those who visit the Poetry Fellowship on a monthly basis would be acquainted with it. But what were the beginnings of the Poetry Society?

The Society was an outgrowth of a group called Poets in Unity, which comprised students of the Edna Manley College, among them, Tommy Ricketts (the current president), Tomlin Ellis of Hot 102, Malachi Smith and Oliver Smith, both now residing in USA.

The group organised itself in 1989 and decided to stage monthly meetings, where individuals of every persuasion could come and share pieces of original poetry and receive feedback. These meetings still continue on the last Tuesday of each month.

The group was born out of a somewhat revolutionary idealism, especially because of the increasing popularity of dub poetry. It was also a time when the genres and sensibilities of a more 'Jamaicanised' poetic culture were being practised by significant figures such as Oku Onoura, Lorna Goodison, Mikey Smith, Jean 'Binta' Breeze and Mutabar-uka. It inspired fringe groups, for example Rastafarians, to be-come more involved. It was the time of Mandela's release from prison. It was a time of Afrocentrism.

The Society began with great enthusiasm and excitement. But the future, as it turned out, was not what they expected, said Mr. Ricketts.

The initial plan had in its framework the expectation that it would develop with national significance, where some of the major players in the Jamaican literary community, such as Professors Edward Baugh and Mervyn Morris, as well as Michael Reckord, Barbara Gloudon and others, would be involved in administrative roles to propel the organisation forward. These hopes were not realised, says Mr. Ricketts, as these prospects did not have the time and zeal to carry out this thrust.

The Poetry Society was full of inspiration and ideas but lacked the business acumen to sustain the group financially.

The Society had published six newsletters ­ named 'Poem Vibe' ­ in its first 18 months of existence, but funds were insufficient and the newsletter was driven into the grave. The group had also gone into schools and organised readings by students with the support of the Ministry of Education. This has also fizzled out of existence.

Mr. Ricketts told The Gleaner that the group also tried to have artistic exposés at a restaurant at Devon House where participants would exhibit their talent through poetry, painting, sculpture, singing and other aspects of arts. It was planned to be an avant-garde aesthetic extravaganza. But true art is uninhibited and some of the ideas expounded did not find favour with the proprietors and their guests.

What does the future hold for the Poetry Society?

At present, it is working on producing a CD about the history of poetry in Jamaica, detailing the footprints local poets have left on the Jam-aican literary landscape. Its interactive meetings are held on the last Tuesday of every month at the Edna Manley College at 7 p.m.

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