Banga Sea

By Jiselle Singh

In Banga Sea, Jiselle Singh beckons the reader on a voyage across tumultuous and ever-changing tides. Each poem is a quiet invitation to journey deeper into the subliminal spaces of the imagination and hidden memories. Singh is very much at home with her Caribbean heritage and expresses a deep familiarity and fondness for her village and culture in her poems. The desire for belonging and pursuit of self-realization quietly lead the way as each poem ventures further into the deep.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Release date: May 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9781666747027

Jiselle Singh

Jiselle Singh is a singer-songwriter-poet from Trinidad and Tobago. Banga Sea is her first publication.

Book preview

Poui Tree

In the cusp of gentle May

I wandered on a sunlit day

My heart was hid by clouds of grey

And joy had fluttered far away.

Then suddenly I came to see

A thing of wondrous beauty

A flowering poui tree

With blossoms pink and rosy

Beside the river, amongst the trees

Swaying in the gentle breeze

In awe I fell upon my knees

As the bright clusters danced in glee

Such abundance to behold

More splendour than could ever be told

The sunlight streaming shafts of gold

Through the branches of my soul

Blushing petals brushed my skin

Sublime kisses in the wind

A mild sweet perfume wafting

As I beheld the sight so captivating

And often when darkness besets me

I seek the refuge of memory

I gaze upon that Pink Poui tree

And a quiet calm tides over me.

The Sun is Shining Brightly

The sun is shining—brightly

The winds are blowing—gently

The hibiscus is blooming—beautifully

The birds are singing—sweetly

Everything is in perfect harmony

The ducks are gliding on the pond

The hens are keeping their eggs warm

The goats are prancing around

The kiskadees are whistling a jubilant song

Everything is sweet melody

The starch mangoes are ripe for picking

The morning dew is glistening

Every blade of grass lies low for passing

The golden daffodils are laughing

Everything is as it should be

The pale clouds are drifting dreamily

Bright blossoms are waving cheerfully

Honey bees are buzzing softly—

In the flowering passion fruit tree

Everything is in perfect harmony.

My Village

My village, in all her splendor

The rolling green hills in the quiet afternoon

The hummingbirds sweetly singing in harmony

With the brown doves' tune

Not my village—my home

The sound of pigs squealing in the distance . . .

The Farm—The Sea

The fishermen coming over the hill

The church bells ringing on Sundays

My village in all her glory

This is the only home I