When September Comes: And Other Poems

By Peter Jailall

Peter Jailall continues his search for the place called home in his third volume of poetry, exploring the "open, dangerous" landscape of a post-September 11th world. In this climate of globalization, none are untouched by the threats of terrorism or the spoils of modernization and its effect on our environment. As poet, teacher and storyteller, Peter’s unique gift for the blending of language – from Caribbean-accented English to Hindi – allows him to paint beautiful dichotomies between the Guyana of his birth, and the Canada that is his current home.

"To those of us in the worldwide Guyanese diaspora, Peter’s poetry is cultural regeneration and joy. It generates the anchorage of identity and self respect in a sea of uncertainty and adjustment. To our host communities it provides insights into who we are as persons. It encourages the realization that hopes, fears, and aspirations are common across cultures and all are worthy of understanding and respect. To all who read Peter’s work come challenges to thought and imagination, glowing pride, and prolonged pleasure."

– Judaman Seecoomar, PhD, Author

"Peter Jailall speaks poignantly to problems of identity and the painful feelings associated with movement and change in this fine new collection. He examines past and present and points to our need to find out and accept who we really are before cultural identity can be recognized."

– Bob Barton, Storyteller, writer, educator (OISE, University of Toronto)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dundurn
• Release date: Sep 16, 2003
• ISBN: 9781770706842

Peter Jailall

Peter Jailall, a teacher, poet and storyteller, was born in Guyana in 1944. He is the author of three books of poetry: This Healing Place (1993), Yet Another Home (1997) and When September Comes (2003). Peter is a member of the Racial Minority Writer's Collective and the League of Canadian Poets. Peter lives in Mississauga with his wife, Sabi, and their two sons, Dave and Nari.

Book preview

When September Comes

AND OTHER POEMS

Peter Jailall

NATURAL HERITAGE BOOKS

TORONTO

Copyright © 2003 Peter Jailall

All rights reserved. No portion of this book, with the exception of brief extracts for the purpose of literary or scholarly review, may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the publisher.

Published by Natural Heritage / Natural History Inc.

P.O. Box 95, Station O, Toronto, Ontario M4A 2M8

www.naturalheritagebooks.com

National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Jailall, Peter, 1944-

     When September comes and other poems / Peter Jailall.

ISBN 1-896219-83-7

I. Title.

PS8569.A414W54 2003      C811’.54     C2003-903575-1

Cover and text design by Derek Chung

Front Cover Photograph: Ralph Newton Photography

Edited by Melissa Hughes

Printed and bound in Canada by Hignell Book Printing, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Natural Heritage / Natural History Inc. acknowledges the financial support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council for our publishing program. We acknowledge the support of the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Media Development Corporation’s Ontario Book Initiative. We also acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program (BPIDP) and the Association for the Export of Canadian Books.

Dedication

In memory of my grandparents: Mohabir (godfather) Bhudni (Miss Lil) Ramrattan (Hollan) and Rajwantie (Brownie).

Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgements

You must be Born Again

The Guyanese Roll Call

When September Comes

My Ajah

Fire Fire Bun me Haan

The Terrifying Gaze

For Mervyn

Estate Coolie

Coolie Come

Khatun from Skeldon

When Cheddi Died

Noisy Mornings

Just a Drop of Ink

Nani Goes to Vote

Intellectual Arrogance

Hindu College Days

Working with Devotion