Arthur James Seymour (Part II) (January 12, 1914 – December 25, 1989)

IT IS difficult to examine the life and work of Arthur James Seymour in one short article, because his life and work, closely intertwined, covers a canvas that is very extensive. So extensive a canvas it is that it meanders to luminous heights and periods of dormancy; sometimes pieces of the canvas dropping out of sight, hopefully one day soon to be recovered, shedding more light on this indomitable litterateur.
Seymour was a poet, anthologist, editor, publisher, broadcaster, cultural historian and literary enabler who helped to shape Guyanese Literature and contributed enormously to Caribbean Literature.
In a previous article, we revisited the life of the man; now we take a look at some of his writings, ever mindful of the fact that he wrote poems, reviews, essays, forewords, lectures, pamphlets, memoirs, sermons and eulogies; mindful also that he edited magazines and journals, and published the writings of others. The following is a list of some of his own writings, in book form.

Verse (1937)
More Poems (1940)
Over Guiana, Clouds (1944)
Suns in My Blood (1945)
Six Songs (1946)
Leaves from the Trees (1951)
Water and Blood (1952)
Three Voluntaries (1953)
Ten Poems (1953)
Variations on a Theme (1961)
Selected Poems (1965)
Monologue (1968)
Patterns (1970)
Black Song (1971)
I, Anancy (1971)
Passport (1972)
City of Memory (1973)
Song to Man (1973)
Italics (1974)
Mirror (1975)
Georgetown Journal (1976)
The Shape of Crystal (1977)
Images of Majority (1978)
Religious Poems (1980)
Love Poems (….)

Seymour’s other publications included the following autobiographies:
Growing up in Guyana
Pilgrim Memories
Family Impromptu
Thirty Years a Civil Servant
The Years in Puerto Rico and Mackenzie

Anthologies include:
Treasury of Guyanese Poetry
Fourteen Guianese Poems for Children
Themes of Song
Kykoveral Anthology of Guianese Poetry
The Miniature Poets
Independence Ten – Guyanese Writing

And literary criticism:
Introduction to Guyanese Writing
The Making of Guyanese Literature
A Survey of West Indian Literature
Studies in West Indian Poetry

In followup articles, we would look at Seymour’s other work, like the editing of Kyk-Over-Al, and other parts of his life, which included his devotion to family life and religion, much of those parts resulting in outstanding poetry.
(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.
• IT’s here! A Hall of Fame for the Literary Arts, and the National Library Distinguished Lecture Series to be delivered by Dr Jacqueline de Weever on Wednesday January 15, 2014 at 5pm at the National Library.
• ‘See More Poetry’ at Theatre Guild on Sunday, Janaury 12, 2014, at 7pm in commemoration of Seymour’s birth centennary.