Contradictions

There is none so blind as one who sees
None so deaf as one who hears
There’s none brainless as one learned
None as brave as one who fears

When one listens one gains wisdom
From all those who gush with words
Those who judge will not see reason
And destitute the one who hoards

There’s none fairer than the ogre
Who’s been crushed by angry heels
None so humble as the fallen king
None so tall as one who kneels

There’s no wiser than a simpleton
None more saner than a clown
None more astute than mindless fool
None more lofty as those down

There’s none richer than the poorer
None who benefit from pride
None as sainted as the sinner
None as free as those once tied

There is none who is more peaceful
Than the soldier who’s at war
None so strong as puny weakling
None so close as one who’s far

None are lower than the haughty
Or more false when claiming truth
So beware those claiming friendship
Against their charms be resolute

When the final chapter’s written
All our guises will be bared
And the stalwart will gain victory
And those once despised revered

Rosevina Halley

December 13, 2008

The Wall

Hoping to guard my vulnerable heart
I built a robust wall
Expecting that its bolstered girth
Would dull my certain fall

Each brick was carefully measured
The mortar laid with care
Each facet painstakingly positioned
No sacrifice was left to spare

Each crack plastered with vengeance
The slightest fissure sealed
No mighty sword or sharpened lance
Could pierce its forceful shield

In spite of strengthened bastion
My heart lay naked; prone
The wall built for protection
Became a friendless throne

And now my cherished barrier
Holds me as captive prey
No knight on mounted destrier
Will come to save the day

Rosevina Halley

December 11, 2008

Silken Lies

The lies fall forth from twixt my lips

As silk slides over rounded hips

And willing ears absorb false truth

While eager lips bear bitter fruit

And innocence lies 'neath the fray

While virtue cedes evils way

Ignorance grows roots quite deep

Bearing limbs that sag and weep

Cold winds rustle through angry leaves

As darkness honesty decieves

And eyes grown weary from day's task

Cower behind their pointless mask

While all seems lost from at a glance

Take heart; believe in smallest chance

The will, the soul, will find its way

To struggle for even one more day

Thus rest your tired head in peace

Grant all your doubts and fears release

For waking brings another day

Regrets by morning dew washed 'way

Rosevina Halley

November 28, 2008

Daddy

How could you hurt me Daddy?

Why did you break my heart?

Aren't I worth more Daddy?

Of more than what you did impart?

Why don't you love me Daddy?

Like a father should his child?

Why did you use me daddy?

Set me adrift as one exhiled?

Doesn't your guilt weigh heavy?

For the wreck you made of me?

Are you the least bit sorry?

Do you pray on bended knee?

Do you feel pleased now Daddy?

Does it fill your chest with pride?

Doesn't it make you worry?

That my soul has been defiled?

Why do I still love you Daddy?

Why do I seek your acceptance?

When I know you'll hurt me?

Why do I leave my needs to chance?

Am I so foolish Daddy?

That I choose to hope in vain?

Won't you just see me Daddy?

Why can't you understand my pain?

Rosevina Halley

November 27th 2008

*author's note: Dedicated to Odie

Though Thanksgiving is not typically a St. Maarten Holiday - I think it should be! In fact, it should be a worldwide Holiday where people put all differences aside and come together in spirit in being thankful for what we have...however much, or little it may be.





I'm thankful today for my children, my parents, my friends and my job. I'm thankful for life, with all it's ups and downs. I'm thankful for all that God in his infinite wisdom has given me.





And I'm thankful for you....

Poem to my daughter

Farah

When something makes you angry
As I'm sure things often will
Complaining won’t make it go away
And crying makes less sense still

If you face a tricky trial
And the answer can’t be found
Instead of feeling dismal
You should take a look around

If in place of being crabby
And finding fault in everything
If instead you fought bravely
All your problems would take wing

Never see the glass as half empty
Or you’ll never find it full
Always try to see life’s beauty
And to God be ever thankful

Misery loves to keep you company
Sour grapes make bitter wine
When you cry you’re always lonely
But a pretty smile’s a thing divine

Rosevina Halley

Cade's 11th Birthday

This past weekend my youngest, Cade, had his eleventh birthday. Here are some pictures from his party - Thanks Cleo!

The Soucouyant - Chapter 6

Matthew was growing more and more uncomfortable by the second. And when Sinclair took two steps
back, he only grew more scared. He took two steps forward with his hand outstretched with the
offending bottle. Sinclair simply took two more steps back, putting a safe distance between
himself and Matthew. He never took his eyes from the bottle, staring at it as though mesmerized.
"Boy, you don't know the trouble you brookin' with that thing", offered Sinclair. His face had
grown ashen in his apprehension. "You don't know what you holding? How you could pick that thing
up boy? Nobody ain't never tell you what that thing is?" "Sinclair, what you talking about? Tell
me! I need to know what kind of trouble I in!" whined Matthew. All the while he was trying to get
Sinclair to take the bottle from his hand. When it became obvious to him that Sinclair was not
going to relieve him of his burden, he decided that he would just drop the malevolent bottle to
the ground and run as fast and as far as he could, away from it. But for some reason, he couldn't
get his hand to release it. It seemed stuck to him.
It seemed that Sinclair could sense his dilemma, for he simply shook his head pitifully. "It too
late now for you to try to get rid of it. It belong to you now, and you can't throw it away until
you do what it is it want you to do." he said.
"But what it is it want me to do, Sinclair?" wailed Matthew. "I don't know what it is it want!"
Sinclair took another step back. "Well now," he said, "That is for you and the soucouyant to come
to terms over." "Soucouyant! Oh lawd Sinclair, don't tell me that, I don't want to hear nothing
about no soucouyant. What that is?" "You mean to tell me you don't know what a soucouyant is
Matty? Boy, you is in a whole heap of trouble. I ain't sure if I can help you. But if you want my
help, you going to have to be honest and up front with me and tell me what happen exactly, minute
by minute, last night."
Matthew sighed. He realized that something bigger than him was at play here. Something that he
wouldn't be able to handle by himself. He realized that he'd made a very big mistake in picking
up the bottle without knowing what the consequences would be. "It ain't my fault Sinclair, I
didn't know!
"So spit it out, and let's get to work. Only for God's sake put it back in your pocket before
anybody see it." Matthew struggled to get the bottle back into his pocket. He didn't want it
there. It seemed to emanate a sickly heat, and almost seemed to pulse as though with a heartbeat.
He shuddered, but knew that he had no choice. He had to put himself in Sinclair's capable hands,
and hope for the best. And pray to God that Tantie didn't find out...

The Soucouyant - Chapter 5

“Now old woman, speak. Tell me what going on.” Timo said to Tantie. She wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her wrist. Struggling to get a hold of her emotions which were trying to get the best of her senses, she walked over to the couch and sat down with a massive sigh.

“Where you was last night Timo?” she asked. “You ain’t hear what went on down by your house?” Timo was getting irritated by Tantie’s beating around the bush. He wished she would just get to the point. “Is your business where I was last night? Just tell me what went on, I getting really tired of all this pussy-futtin’ about. What happen down by my house? And what all this talk bout Sello?”

Tantie sighed again, forlornly. How was she going to be able to tell him the whole story without implicating herself? She had to very careful, for Timo was not to be underestimated. He had powers as strong, if not stronger than hers. And then, to make matters worse, that stupid boy had to go and get himself involved. She’d searched for him the better part of the morning, wasting valuable time. She needed Timo in her corner, desperately.

“Now, I don’t want you to get yourself all in a confusion. I want you to listen carefully to what I say, before you jump the gun.” Timo was becoming angry, she could tell, and hurried to get to the point. “Early this fore-day morning, somebody went into your house and cause a to-do. Miss Bella up and down round town telling everybody how Freddy see somebody burn down your house.” At this Timo sprang to his feet, heading towards the door. “Wait, wait! Timo, wait. I ain’t done yet!”

Timo pulled to an abrupt stop, looking at her over his shoulder he bellowed: “You is daft woman? I got to go see about my house!” Tantie knew she had to stop him from leaving. She had to prevent him from finding out anything before she had her chance to tell the story how she wanted him to hear it.

“Timo...you can't go to that house, Sello there”

The Soucouyant - Chapter 4

“A bottle you say?” Matthew mutely nodded his head. “What color bottle?” asked Sinclair. “How I supposed to know? What difference that make anyhow?” Sinclair grinned at Matthew. It was in no way, shape or form a friendly grin. “Boy, where you come from? You ain’t got no sense? The color of the bottle makes all the difference!”

“Sinclair, I don’t know what you talking about, nobody ain’t say nothing about the color.” murmured Matthew. He rocked back on his heels totally confused by Sinclair’s stubborn demand. Color? He thought to himself. Why he carrying on so about the color? Sinclair grabbed him by his collar and began to shake him forcefully. “You have to tell me now, you hear? What color was the bottle? Anybody touch it? Anybody even go near it?” A chill started to work its way up Matthew’s spine. “What going to happen if somebody touch it? What, it voodoo or something?” asked Matthew, horrorstruck.

This whole episode was getting to be too much for him to handle. Something really wrong was going on here. Something sinister, and Matthew wanted only to get away from this man who seemed to be going round the bend right before his eyes.

“Sinclair, lemme go now, I don’t know nothing else. You scaring me! I want to go home. Let me go!” Sinclair’s hands dropped from Matthew’s neck and he stepped back, putting distance between them. He didn’t offer any explanations for his fit of temper. He just stood there with a wary look in his eyes. His demeanor was that of a man doomed, without hope of salvation.

This attitude alarmed Matthew, as he’d never seen Sinclair even the smallest bit scared. What have I gotten myself into, he thought to himself, surely he’s fooling with me? Trying to get me worked up so that I would tell him more? Still…

Matthew put his hand in his pocket and slowly withdrew an object, which he solemnly offered up to Sinclair. “See for yourself what color it is.” Sinclair’s heart fell to his feet as he stared in anguished amazement at the bottle that Matthew was holding in his hands.

The Soucouyant - Chapter 3

Matthew braced his back against the wall, biting his trembling lower lip in an irrational attempt at bravado. Sinclair was not swayed by this meager show. He simply stood, arms crossed and legs spread. One eyebrow raised, waiting with feigned patience for Matthew to start talking. Finally, after much foot shuffling, hemming and hawing Matthew stammered; “Now, Sinclair, look here…I can’t tell you the thing from start to finish, ‘cause I only know a little bit from the in-between.” At this, Sinclair’s eyebrow rose a little higher on his brow. He remained still, refusing to respond. This escalated Matthew’s nervousness. Shifting his weight from one foot to the other and back again, he decided to just go with the flow and see how much he could say without saying too much.

“Well see, I hear from Miss Bella, who get it from Freddy from up under the well who say he see it with his own two eyes this foreday morning before the cock even had a chance to wipe the yamp from his eye. He say he see somebody on Timo back porch. He say that he couldn’t see the person clear, since Timo does sleep with he outside lights off. But it had look like a man, only not so much like a man. Anyway, Timo house was in darkness and he know that Timo didn’t leave the man come inside because he didn’t see no door open. But all of a sudden the man wasn’t on the porch no more, and he say he one hundred percent sure that whoever it was didn’t come back out the gate, so he must have get inside somehow…” Sinclair’s silence encouraged Matthew to go on with his discourse.

“Freddy say he wait about fifteen minutes or so, but he didn’t see no light come on inside the house and he didn’t hear nobody bawl out, so everything must have been on the up-and-up, so he went back under his lean-to to get his kerosene pan to fill from the well when he hear a loud BOOM!, and when he turn back around Timo’s house was a ball of fire. He tell Miss Bella how he wanted to help, but all he had was his kerosene pan, and anyhow if anybody was inside the house, they was done dead already. He say the fella who went inside for sure wasn’t Timo. Miss Bella say how he swear on he mother grave.”

“And…?” was Sinclair’s sole observation. “I don’t know nothing else Sinclair, I swear!” “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” growled Sinclair. “I see your lips moving but I ain’t hearing nothing worth believing coming out. What foolishness you telling me boy? I know you too good, something you holding back. Spit it out.” Matthew started to sweat. “Lawd, why you can’t just leave me alone? I tell you everything I know.” wailed Matthew.

“Because I know you is a out and out liar. Where Tantie come in? I know she got something to do with this. What you ain’t telling me? I want to know right now!” roared Sinclair. “T-t-tantie?” stammered Matthew. “But who say anything bout Tantie?” Matthew’s trembling grew visibly pronounced. Now yes I in the frying pan, he thought to himself. “MATTHEW! You tell me right now before I get my machete!”

“Well,” he managed, “I hear that they find a bottle in the yard…

Chapter 4 tomorrow....

The Soucouyant - Chapter 2

Curtis was sitting in Timo’s living room watching TV, when he heard the front gate’s hinges squeaking open, announcing a visitor. “Lawd, don’t tell me Nancy come back already. If that’s she come home, I sorry for Timo, but I ain’t sticking around. That woman got dealings with Satan for sure, and she ain’t going make me sin my soul to hell.” But the shuffling footsteps and gasping breaths that could be heard from the front yard gave Curtis ease, for he knew then that it wasn’t Nancy returning from her errands. “Praise and thank the Lord for small favors” he muttered.

There was a soft but urgent rap on the front door, and Curtis heard Timo yell from the bathroom; “Curtis, get off yuh lazy carcass and see who that be pounding on the gallery!” Curtis gave a disgruntled sigh, quite perturbed at the interruption. It wasn’t everyday that Timo let anyone into Nancy’s sanctified parlor to watch Tv. His eyes remained glued to the baseball game on the television set as he sauntered to the front door. The rapping was growing increasingly louder the longer he took to answer.

He pulled the door open, and Tantie, in her frenzied knocking was unable to prevent her knuckles from cracking Curtis on his temple. “Ow!” he bellowed. “But what, you dumb, deaf and blind old woman? You ain’t see me standing up here in front of you?” Tantie did not reply to his outburst, and pushing him aside crossed the threshold in search of Timo. “Timo! Timo! You home? Where you be?” Curtis shook his head in annoyance. Offended by the old lady’s rude dismissal, he returned to his seat in front of the TV.

“Well good morning to you too, you ole bat.” yelled Curtis from the bathroom. Tantie ignored his cheeky greeting and shuffled to the rear of the house to seek him out. Just then a toilet could be heard flushing, and then: “Tantie? That you? But what you…Hold on, hold on, I’m coming.” In her haste she’d made it to the bathroom door, where she stood impatiently waiting for Timo to emerge. When the door finally swung open, she practically threw herself into his arms.

He stumbled backward as the full force of her weight caught him by surprise. “But Ta – what happen?” he managed to utter. “Tell that boy goway!” she grunted. “Tell him goway right now!” She leaned forward putting her lips to his ear. “Sello out. He get away! You hear me? Sello get out of the bottle!” Her sentence was barely completed before Timo yelled out:: “Curtis, boy…go home right this minute. If you know what good for you, you going go straight home and lock up your door and don’t come out for nothing or nobody.”

Curtis was all too familiar with that tone of voice and knew he needed to be gone with a swiftness. He didn’t want any dealings with anything that could scare Tantie and Timo so. He bolted from the house with a speed that would have put an Olympic gold medalist to shame, not even pausing to latch the gate behind him.


Check for chapter 3 tomorrow...

The Soucouyant - Chapter 1

Sinclair gripped Matthew by the arm and pulled him forcefully behind his pick-up truck that was parked just behind the coconut stand. “Come here boy! You going to help me figure out exactly what went on this morning!” Matthew protested meekly, dragging his feet, but he was no match for Sinclair. Though equal in size and younger by 20 or more years, Matthew knew that Sinclair was more than capable of pulverizing his very bones. His strength was legend in the village, and no one dared challenge the myth.

“Now listen here boy; I want you to tell me the whole entire story. From the top to the middle to the backside. You is not to leave out nuttin’ at all at all. I want to know the howcome,whycome, whocome and whatcome. Start from the first and go right down to the last, you hearing me Matty? Allright – I’m ready now – GO!” Matthew stood frozen to the spot. He was in a quandary. Unsure of what he could, and should tell Sinclair. He knew Tantie would give him no quarter. Especially as Sinclair was convinced that Tantie was somehow involved.

And if Tantie could be implicated in any wrongdoing, Sinclair would pursue it until the cows came home. The bad feelings that Sinclair held towards Tantie were a much discussed issue amongst the villagers. But no one knew or was willing to warrant a guess as to the cause of the bad blood between the two.

Sinclair, like Tantie was older than anyone in the village, however, unlike his nemesis he never seemed to age. Yes, his face was weathered and bore the evidence of measureless age, yet he carried himself with the vigor of youth. It was often whispered in the shadows that he’d made a pact long ago with the devil, for how else could one account for his youthfulness? It seemed as though he’d been born with the village, and just like the boxtree in the schoolyard, he would always be there, as long as the village existed, so would Sinclair.

“Matty! Wake up boy, before I thump you upside the head!” Matthew was literally shaking in his shoes. Timo had sworn him to secrecy, and if he blabbed Timo was sure to find out. Sinclair was not adept at holding his tongue. By the same token, if Sinclair found out that Matthew had withheld pertinent information he would have hell to pay. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Matthew could only stand in mute indecision.

His silence infuriated Sinclair, as he was convinced that the boy knew something but wasn’t speaking. He knew that Matthew loved to carry news, so somebody must have influenced him, or threatened him into silence. Somebody with influence…but who? His interest was fueled by Matthew’s obvious reluctance to relate the incident to him.

Curiouser and curiouser. But come hell or high water he would get to the bottom of this or his name was not Sinclair!


Chapter 2 tomorrow!

Sorrow

You're not the only one you know

Who feels adrift at sea

The only one a load to tow

Who feels lost, afraid and empty

You're not the only one you know

Who's felt they've lost their way

Who's heart's been lost to sorrow

and cannot face another day

You're not the only one you know

Who can't seem to find the light

Who's burdened by profound woe

Who's lost the will to fight

But, you are the only one you know

Who has my heart bound up by chain

Pierced by painful, trenchant arrow

Leaving scars its walls to stain

Rosevina Halley

June 2, 2008

“Outside woman” laid off

“Outside woman” laid off due to rise in cost of living, fuel pricesWeb Posted - Fri Apr 25 2008, Barbados Advocate

This letter serves to officially inform you that with immediate effect your services as “outside woman” will no longer be needed. Due to the recent increases in the price of fuel and the continued escalation of the cost of living, it has now become increasingly difficult for me to continue supporting two women (namely you and de wife). Therefore, following a recent board meeting (namely an ultimatum put forward by the wife), I have now been forced to cut staff.

Since the wife say that she ain’t gine no way and has threatened industrial action, after careful deliberation and a meeting with my Financial Manager (de wife) and Human Resource Manager (also de wife), a decision was made to lay you off.
I am sure that you would have realised that over the last couple o weeks I have not been utilising your services as much and you havent been seeing me too regular. It ain’t so much that I didn’t want to pass and give you a shout, but de gas prices girl, de gas prices, and you know that piece o’ old car I got from the time I back it out the garage it does want something to drink.

Moreover every time I pass by you, you does always be in some kinda difficulty, when it ain’t your gas bottle that just run out, it is the light bill now come, when it aint the gate door want fixing, it is the fella who cut the grass waiting on me to get pay. And when I tell you that things brown you does got your mouth push up in the air and ignore me the whole night.

Plus de wife say that regardless of how high the prices get she ain’t cutting back for a soul (especially you), she gotta look better than you when she step out this house, so every weekend she at the salon getting she hair fix up, and getting the fingernails and the toe nails spray paint. When she done I still gotta buy rice (which gone up), chicken (which gone up), flour, fish, lard oil and butter (all which gone up), which dont leave nothing much for you.

Furthermore, even though you were able to assist me in certain areas in which the wife was deficient, I distinctively remember you informing me when we were finalising your job description, that you will not be washing my clothes nor underwears, you ain’t pressing, you ain’t turning cou-cou, nor tending to lame foots. You said them was duties for my wife and children, plus you say that you ain't want no man sleeping in at you, so by a certain time at night I used to have to brek for home. Well I brekking for home for good.

I therefore take this opportunity to thank you for all services rendered in the past and do wish you continued success in your future endeavours as an outside woman. I am sure an outside woman with your experience would be an asset to any hen pecked husband, and I would be more than happy to provide you with a letter of recommendation should you require one.

Once again thank you and good luck. See ya!

Loraine St. Aimee - Clothing DesignerSt. Aimee Designswww.myspace.com/staimee http://staimee.hi5.com

Saba

White and green gingerbread houses

With latticework of years gone by

Tiny old ladies sitting in their doorways

fingering fragile stitching

Verdant mountains gaurding hostile bays

Children's laughter echoing throught the air

Clouds billowing o'er tempestuous mountaintops

Moss covered stones protecting hidden fauna

Flowers galore with smiling facesflanking precarious roads

Fisherman bringing in his catch

While the sun still hides its' face

All around is beauty personified

And the feeling of time stood still permeates

To this, the land of my birthI shall someday return

with the hopes of peaceful dreams

At last

Ah Saba

My Unspoiled Queen!

Rosevina Halley

Tsunami Terror

Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue...

Okay, so I've been out of touch for a while. Let's blame it on the holidays, birthday blues, whatever...
I'm about to try something new, let's see if this gets attention, hmmm?

More to come!

Please use the following link to get a peek: http://rosevina.googlepages.com/crochetedbabiesdresses