Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Abebe Payne, in performance at one of the meetings of the Poetry Society. - CONTRIBUTED
ABEBE PAYNE is one of the young poets whose voices have become a potent and regular force at the Poetry Society of Jamaica. The poet, with his long locks tightly braided to reveal a youthful, serious but friendly visage revealed that he had only begun writing approximately a year and a half ago.
Payne's wish for his poetry is simple. The 24-year-old said he hoped to reach people, move them and entertain them at the same time. Indeed, it explains why he refered to his poetry as 'verbs' - words of action. These 'verbs' reflect his Rasta upbringing in both their ideology and use of
language. His 'verbs' often deal with that which concerns him most - identity and women.
AVENUE FOR EXPRESSION
He began writing after approximately five years of listening intently and paying attention to the art form as a serious 'connoisseur'. This may well explain the calibre of his work despite the limited time he has been a practitioner.
He began perceiving poetry as an avenue for expression after he began pursuing his first love, painting, at Edna Manley College in 1999. Payne currently works at the Institute of Jamaica as a design preparator for the Museums of History and Ethnography. He admitted that though he had consistently been involved in the visual arts, he had not considered becoming a painter because it was not economically viable.
IN HIS BLOOD
But with his father, Clinton Payne as a sign painter, it seems that it was in his blood. Payne revealed that he, however, did not commit to the art form until he began attending Edna Manley where exposure to the Poetry Society and friends who were poets brought him closer to poetry.
Payne remarked that survival as a painter means diversity. As such he is willing to embrace various forms. His own diversity has extended to the graphic arts and even set design which he engaged in for two productions, Tick Tock and Tings A Gwaan.
Interestingly, he began writing in English, but since switched to Jamaican Creole. "I wasn't much of a writer, full stop," he explained. "Writing was not in my nature. So when writing I would write how I was taught to write." So his first pieces were written in English and then some lines were translated. However, as he became uncomfortable with the expressions in English he soon began to write in Creole.
"When I really started it was to me a form of finding a new expression and trying to work out some of my ideas for my painting," he said. His major influences have not come from poets but from 'poetic' musicians such as Tracy Chapman, Ben Harper, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Beres Hammond. Payne admitted that he is just becoming exposed to his
poetic forebears like Mikey Smith and Oku Onuora.
The music influence bears out in his poetry as he often uses 'hooks' and bridges in his works. Yet, though he regards his performance as an important additive, he also believes in the strength of some of his pieces to stand on their own on the page.
WELL RECEIVED
He smiled at the thought that his short run has been well-received and admitted that one of his greatest pleasures is when he says something that resonates with the audience. "I must admit I've been received quite well so far and I've been loving that," he said with a smile.
Yet, he is no longer worried about not growing in the form because his success has got to his head. "It's about exploring ideas," he said, "sharing ideas. So, yeah you goin' write a bad one or two or three or four, but that is growth too."
