Calabash withdrawal brings literary lyme to St Ann

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

After 10 years the 'Calabash' broke, but its seeds have dispersed, germinated and are now bearing fruit in different forms.

A good example is scheduled to commence on May 22 in Winfield, St Ann.

Plans for the Asante Adoni Literary Lyme were unveiled at the inaugural staging of the Run Up Session, on Sunday, at Bookophilia, located on Hope Road in St Andrew.

In spite of the rains, the lovers of the written word came out. A few were called to read excerpts from their favourite books but most were on hand to just listen and to salute the power of the pen.

Leahcim Semaj, one of the organisers, described the creation of the Asante Adoni Literary Lyme as a rehabilitation programme for those who, like himself and his wife, are suffering from post-Calabash withdrawal symptoms.

He also explained that the organisers had been fine-tuning details of the event.

Winfield, Semaj explained, is a natural amphitheatre.

Good book teaches

In giving the welcome, Kathryn Harrison shared the beliefs of the organisers.

"We, the members of the Asante board, passionately believe that a good book should leave one with good memories and slightly exhausted. We believe that a truly good book should teach us. Great literature inspires us to change our actions, usually for the better. Every act of self-improvement, improves the history of mankind," she said.

Soon it was time to listen to some good books.

Fae Ellington, Ras Takura, Bert Samuels, Paula-Ann Porter-Jones, Jean Lowrie-Chin, Kathryn Harrison, and Leahcim Semaj all read. Enthused by the title of the launch, 'From Inspiration Between the Covers', the six-the-hard-way arrived with their inspirations - beautiful words bounded in paperbacks or hard covers. It was obvious that some had seen better days.

The proud owners, who were happy to date themselves by telling the history of acquiring same, were emotive and passionate in articulating the thoughts taken from the pages.

And the audience showed their appreciation by voicing aloud the familiar and remaining quiet for the not so recognisable. The authors, who speak to different topics, came from Jamaica and foreign lands. They included Easton Lee, Claude McKay, Mutabaruka, A.F. Scott, Barry Peterson, Maya Angelou and Khalid Gibran.

An open-mic session will serve as a prelude to Asante Adoni Literary Lyme which will be held at Bookophilia on Sunday, May 15.