'The Light and Black I Am' launch creatively crafted

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Denise Antoinette's book launch at the Mona Visitors' Lodge on Sunday evening was remarkable for its creative presentation, melding the arts through a rotating cast of participants to stamp individuality on each poem read from The Light And Black I Am.

It was not a seamless flow, the inevitable minor glitches endemic to a multifaceted production by numerous persons not in a semi-formal ensemble cropping up.

However, that did not diminish the atmosphere of goodwill towards Antoinette and enthusiasm about her debut book.

What was presented on Sunday night showed a book balanced on two of Jamaica's deep interests, spirituality and sex.

The poems were separated into three segments, Spiritual Legacy, Soul Connections and The Sexual Dance.

With Jennifer 'Jenny Jenny' Small hosting, there was never a dull moment; with almost every piece accompanied by music or singing and more than a touch of drama thrown in, the launch was an engaging affair for those who turned out at the close of a damp weekend.

Stirring pairing

Members of the Kencot Church anchored Ode to the Black, Green, Gold with the first verse of the national anthem before Antoinette and Martin Thame (who she later described as her 'stage husband') ended Spiritual Legacy with 'Stand in Truth', the two making for a stirring pairing in the Christian testament which emphasised "can I tell you there is nothing too hard for the Lord".

'Sugar & Spice', read by Antoinette and another consistent poetry partner Francine Blackwood, explored the varieties of women in Jamaica - brown sugar, white sugar and molasses ("some man love it tick and hard fe move"), the melody of Fab Five's Jamaican Woman used in the presentation.

Jenny Jenny read 'Miss Indifferent' and, after 'Watch Me Fly' the Yolanda Adams version of I Believe I Can Fly was delivered beautifully.

Jenny Jenny said she was looking forward to 'The Sexual Dance' and it seemed that so were many persons in the audience. It lived up to the anticipation, Jenny Jenny leading off with 'Joining Together'. Antoinette personally revisited the sugar theme with the teasing 'Tasting Brown Sugar' ("Love is so sweet, but gritty"), India Arie's 'Brown Skin', the appropriate musical attachment to the poem.

Highlight of the launch

A highlight of The Light and Black I Am launch was 'The Kiss', both for the poem read by Antoinette and Martin, as well as the actual kisses by husband and wife singing team Robert and Jenieve Bailey, the lady crooning "do that to me one more time" and Robert replying "I don't know much, but I know you", à la Aaron Neville.

The poetry closed with a yard style take on the Bible's ultimate fusion of spirituality and sexuality, Songs of Solomon, done 'Jam-down Style', the Bible's words read and then translated into Jamaican. The audience loved it throughout, but reacting especially to Martin's breast references, including "you titty firm an' sweet like two ripe Julie mango".

Antoinette closed with thanks all around.