Dominica, We Need Your Voice

Disaster and fatality have an uncanny way of bringing out the absolute best and worst in the human condition. Just as it drags us to the pits, revealing desperation and even ruthlessness, difficulty can unearth from our depths unexpected kindness and richness in self-expression. Some of the most compelling narratives and works of art come out of the most oppressive circumstances. Everyone has a story to tell, in a way that only they can tell it.

At DNO ,we know that you-Dominicans- are full of stories not just because of the magnitude of what we have been through as a nation, but because of the spirit that existed in our people before the storm. So, we would like to hear these stories and invite you to send in your experience in your own words. It may be commentary , narrative or poetry but it must be relevant to your Maria experience.

Please send all written works and visuals to: [email protected]

Please keep it to a maximum of 2-3 paragraphs long. If sending images, limit to 2-3 photos.

Thank you. We look forward to reading and publishing your words!

As an example of  what may be done, here is a poem by Hector John, reprinted with his permission:

 

HEARTLESS MARIA by Hector “Spags” John

Maria decided to go island hopping
and in Dominica first she decided to pop in
We all knew that she was coming in a hurry
But never expected her merciless fury
She placed herself over Dominica
And from there it was licks like fire
Wind and rain from every direction
Running to safety was out of the question
I don’t know who vex this woman
But she was on a destructive mission

Maria gave us a little break
And my door my neighbours slammed with desperate haste
Flickering lights I could see through my window
People moving around to a safe pillow
Then soon after the eye wall came
And Maria was roaring to a murderous refrain
People hearts were in their throats
Like they were on a capsizing boat
I don’t know who vex this woman
But the devastation of Dominica was her master plan

Maria was wicked and savage
And she was on a relentless rampage
Houses swaying from side to side
While zinc sheets flew around like paper kites
Maria was a boomerang shredder
Coconut trees she turned into feather
She kept everybody on their feet
Not even the toilet bowl was a stable seat
I don’t know who vex this woman
But she was blowing a deadly venom

Maria didn’t want to leave
And for hours Dominicans couldn’t breathe
Clocks were stuck in eternity
While she rapidly increase her fatalities
My visiting british cousin was so distressed
That he slept and snored on a half soaked mattress
Maria turned the lush green nature isle
Into a bare and gray rubble pile
I don’t know who vex this woman
But we bruised knees for the end of her
Destruction

Dominicans welcomed the morning calm
But a mountainous island was flat like their palm
With Maria there was no discrimination
She left us a roofless nation
With nothing to wear and nowhere to sleep
Maria put us into a sudden deep
But if we hold each other’s hand
We will rise again and firmly stand
So let us put all hands on deck
To rebuild our Paradise that Maria wrecked.

 

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5 Comments

  1. October 14, 2017

    Wow well done very inspiring I just love ❤️ this poem
    Well put together Mr Honourable John keep it up
    Dominica will rise again God Bless the Nature Isle

  2. Asaka
    October 12, 2017

    That is an excellent poem Hector John. Well done and you should definitely keep this one printed and published. Much blessings from NY – Amelia W.

  3. George Reiner, BSc. Geology
    October 11, 2017

    The quickest way for businesses in Dominica is to look to ICOs for their projects and companies. Indeed, it would be an excellent idea for the PM to consider issuing a disaster repair ICO for Dominica. This would have the possibility of raising millions very, very quickly at NIL risk to the investee.

  4. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    October 10, 2017

    This is an excellent poem.
    After Hurricane Maria I thought everyone who experienced it will have some story to tell. They will be worth documenting and posting.

  5. Mr & Mrs
    October 10, 2017

    I want to thank the owners and staff of St James Guest House in Pottersville who went above and beyond to keep us calm, fed, watered and bathed. They are committed and dedicated to their role and they supported us as guests during Maria and her dreadful aftermath.

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