Performing Arts: Poetic voices young and old work it out at Poetry Society Jam

the makeshift orchestra was in full effect, delivering pounding, screeching ovations, mostly n the command of convenor M'bala to bring on and send off the poets making their offerings at the Edna Manley College Amphitheatre, the venue where, for the last 25 years, the Poetry Society of Jamaica has been steadily perfecting the art of "nakedness through poetic expression".

Judging from the general quality of the presentations on Tuesday last, there was more than sufficient "exposure" especially from the young men, whom one may not necessarily expect to be vulnerable and open in other circles. Britton Wright led the charge with a slick yet impassioned rap calling for his peers to get away from the numbness and disconnection of social media and to "reconnect" with their elders and others and the substance of things past. A female poet elicited the expected whistles and catcalls  when she salaciously described peeling and eating a mango in a manner that strongly suggested that she object of her affections was far more than a fruit.
There was a moment of remembrance too, for poet Dubmaster Lynch, formerly one-third of the group, LSX, with surviving members Sage and X delivering rousing renditions (even singing at some points) of some of the better known LSX works.

Featured poet Millicent Graham, after a near rapturous intro from Mbala, entered and read pieces from her two collections, beginning with the more recent "The Way Home" (her debut was "The Damp In Things" both available from Peepal Tree Press), poems which tended to reaffirm Wright's earlier message of reconnecting with the things that have made us.

Even though, its well on in the performance poetry game after 25 years, the Poetry Society is still a very valuable arena for those with works in need of a "test drive". Feedback is immediate, honest and largely constructive. With Jamaican writers like Kei Miller, Tanya Shirley and (novelist) Marlon James increasingly making favourable impressions on the global stage, the Society's role is more valuable than ever:

The next great Jamaican poet will read here!