The National Gallery of Art will be launching a new book of poetry, ‘Forest Leaves’, by Donald Trotman, at Castellani House, Vlissengen Road, on Thursday next.
Subtitled ‘an Autobiographical Collection of Poems’, it includes the poet’s earliest writings of 1948 to his most recent in 2011. The author describes them as expressing ‘for the most part…historical, social and romantic impressions of (my) life and experiences in Guyana, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.’

An informative introduction is filled with reminiscences of the colleagues, mentors and friends who have shaped and shared his experiences for approximately six decades.

Well known as a former Supreme and Appellate Court judge, and a lawyer in the field of human rights and social reconciliation, Mr. Trotman has always pursued literary interests. He was part of a circle of writers and poets including Martin Carter and Wilson Harris who met at the home of A.J. Seymour, poet and pioneering literary editor, in the 1950s, and a later group that met in the1960s at the home of poet Rajkumari Singh, daughter of the pioneering Singh’s family which documented, promoted and presented Indian culture in Guyana.

The book is dedicated to the memory of both Seymour and Singh, and will be on sale for a special contribution cost of $1500, proceeds, part of which, will be donated to the promotion of literary expression in Guyana.
The book’s cover illustration is that of a painting by Bibi Sadeek, daughter of early Guyanese novelist, Sheik Sadeek.

The public is cordially invited to attend this event.