AT this time of the year, I look forward to shiploads of literature coming from all parts of the world. And my Christmas wish (Part One) is that some of these books would sail into the Essequibo, the Berbice and Demerara Rivers, and then flow into the 1515 named rivers and 1613 named creeks, reaching all the peoples of Guyana. Part Two of my Christmas wish is to see literature from all parts of this great land of ours, Guyana by name, flowing out to the entire world.

While waiting for my wish, or parts of my wish, to materialise, I would like to share Christmas literature from three generations of Guyanese. The first is by A. J. Seymour; the second by S. E. Wills; and the third by yours truly.
Seymour was a very religious man; this is reflected in his poetry. The poetry of Seymour included some of the best Christian poetry written by a Guyanese.
Here is part of a poem by Seymour, titled ‘COMPOSITION IN DECEMBER’, written some time in the 1970s especially for this time of the year.

In my fabulous December Shinning eyes of children
Grasping the toy-happy season Tight in the little fists, …
Groups of laughing boys Dash pell-mell in the yachtings
Chasing along crowded pavements …
Limber girls Flaunt their shapely banners…
Fabulous Monument of the Cathedral, after the sun
Withdraws its white stare…
O death has no place here Only laughter…

The poet goes on to say, ‘crystal raindrops/Float-falling/On the heavy rhythmic cars/Lurching/Around the War Memorial’ and ‘a tiger moth/With wondering benediction/In its wings/Flaps slowly/From the saman trees/To condemn hysteria…’

There are other writers whose work was influenced by the Bible and the Christian Doctrine. Some of those writers include Thomas Don, W. A. Buttery, Peter & Joseph Ruhomon, Ramcharitar-Lalla, Egbert ‘Leo’ Martin, S. E. Wills, Norman Cameron, J. W. Chinapen, Cleveland Hamilton, just to name a few.

Here is part of a poem by S. E. Wills, titled ‘CHRISTMAS IN THE TROPICS’ written in 1907 especially for The Season.

‘What jostling hosts of memories the name of Christmas starts,
Remembrances that rush from out our minds right to our hearts,
With sweet anticipations of the cheer the season brings…
O, Queen of the Seasons, happy childhood is thy other name;
Thy spirit dwells, in the sunny lands and milder climes the same,
Within heart of youth; also in those advanced in years…
In these realms within the bounds of Cancer and of Capricorn,
We have caught the ruling spirit of the day the Christ was born…
We may not have Yule log or the hanging mistletoe,
But then we have the sunshine and the hearts that with it go…
And in these warmer regions of this fair old world of ours
We can brave the thorns at Christmas times and boldly pluck the flowers,
We can smooth down petty diff’rences and give the rein to peace,
We can but bid our wrongs be silent and our jealousies to cease…
Thank God for all the Christmases within reach of time.’

And finally, a few poems of mine, some with children in mind:

CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR
The sound of rain playing
mockingly
like a spoilt sport;
The smell of black cake
baking
rich in expectation;
Sorrel in the air
swirling
red in my head;
Carols
wooing
us together;
From afar white Christmas
on the radio;
Masquerade nearby
Flouncing;
Money flowing and pepperpot too;
Computer games flashing
Screaming space sounds –
Be of good cheer
Christmas is in the air.

CRACKS IN CHRISTMAS
Christmas falls
in December
prices RISE
as early as November;
Children are crestfallen

parents stumble
over those high rises
fall
breaking promises;
Children are crestfallen

Christmas falls
Like a sledgehammer
On promises
Shattering dreams;
Children are crestfallen

Christmas falls
in December
prices RISE;
as early as November
Children are crestfallen

THE COMPLETE CHRISTMAS TREE
Follow me
Step by step
As we build this Christmas tree
Or do it your way by self-help
From Guyanese books
in 2013 published
great building blocks are books
And solid foundation too
Stand back and see
The complete package
Books offer.
This Christmas tree of books
Will take you down memory lane
Into the future
Back to the present
So there is no need to re-invent the wheel
More on
Everything you will ever need
Can be found in books;
Grow with your Christmas tree
Of knowledge
It’s Christmas everyday
With each new book added
To life’s Christmas tree

Mr. Know-all and Santa
At one time it was a shame
to be tagged with the name
Mr. Know-all.
But now I am happy
selected was I
to guide the three ships
that came sailing in
on Christmas day
in the morning;
this I did with pride
guiding the three ships down
Guyana’s three mighty rivers –
Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo
then into scores of smaller rivers
and creeks and lakes,
this Christmas no child
will be overlooked
Merry Christmas
and a happy New Year to all

Merry Christmas to you that believe in the reason for the season! And Season’s Greetings to those that participate in the celebration! (To respond to this author, either call him on (592) 226-0065 or send him an email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)

WHAT’S HAPPENING:

• ‘An Introduction to Guyanese Literature’ is now available at the National Library, and Austin’s Book Service. This book is an up-to-date guide, featuring significant literary landmarks, from the 16th Century to the new millennium. This 150-page book, including over 100 photographs, is an attempt at bringing to the fore little known facts about lesser known aspects of our literature. The big books, the big authors and the big success stories in Guyanese Literature are also featured.
• Give a book this Christmas, give the gift of reading this Christmas
• Coming soon: Hall of Fame for the Literary Arts.