I’ll be doing a writing programme for young people over the summer. It’s not a Wadadli Pen project and I don’t want to muddy the waters (i.e. create any misunderstanding) by pushing it too hard here. I will mention it because it’s a literary project and this site has been about spotlighting not just Wadadli Pen but the literary arts. However, to keep abreast of the still evolving plans for that project (a project I’m pursuing in my capacity as a freelance writer and workshop facilitator, go to my Jhohadli site). Here’s the post announcing the programme.
Category Archives: A & B Lit News Plus
FEEDBACK RE WADADLI PEN 2013
So, I thought I’d share some of the feedback to the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize Challenge 2013 season. In part because I hope it’ll continue to spark interest among other young writers still hiding their light under a bushel, potential patrons, media and the general public (and I hope that interest will translate into more support for the programme). In part, because I just want to take a moment to celebrate another successful year of pulling this off against the odds. Thanks to all patrons, partners, and well wishers; thanks especially to our young writers, FOR DARING (it’s not easy putting your work out there as all of us who’ve ever written a word and submitted it somewhere or even asked someone for feedback know all too well). So go read the stories, okay?
Okay, comments, here goes…
Comments VIA EMAIL (scrubbed of identification markers, I hope):
From the mom of one of our younger finalists:
“(My daughter) would like to thank the sponsors who donated her gifts and rest assured she will be reading them. She has almost finished reading Trapped (in) Dunston’s Cave. She is all fired up and is already working on two pieces for next year.”
From one of the teachers:
“I really wanted to say thank you for affording my students and me the opportunity to share our stories and drawings. We will definitely by looking out for the next WADADLI PEN COMPETITION …Now that I’m exposed to what is expected (the stories that won were awesome!!!) I will definitely have to put in some extra work!! Awesome job!! You are a role model to aspiring writers. Shine on!!”
From one of the finalists:
“Just want to let you know that I think that the Wadadli Pen Prize is a great initiative and hope to see it continue!”
Left to right, overall winner Asha Challenger, third placed Zuri Holder, and second placed Daryl George.
ON FACEBOOK:
One teacher said:
“Congrats to Joanne C. Hillhouse and Barbara Arrindell (of the Best of Books) for keeping reading alive, and more importantly, for encouraging our young people to tell our own stories.”
Comment re St. John’s Catholic Primary’s win of US$500 worth of books from Hands across the Sea as the primary school with the most submissions:
“I am so proud to be a part of this school family. Blessings!!!”
“Congrats to my Primary School, I am so proud.”
To the overall winners:
“Education is power, keep up the good work; you guys are our future. I like what I see.”
Re winning story Asha Graham’s Revelations Tonight:
“I really enjoyed this… the scenery was amazing!”
Excerpts from reader comments AT CARIB ARENA:
“ Really like ‘Ceramic Blues’….we really need to come to terms with things and hypocrites in our midst. The story must be told!”
“Great to see this competition for our island’s young people. Congratulations to all winners! Keep up the great work, Joanne Hillhouse and others!”
Me, with the youngest of the 2013 Wadadli Pen finalists – art and lit. (Photo courtesy Antigua Chronicle)
“The Wadadli Pen Challenge is the ONLY serious story competition for the young people of A&B. It deserves far more support, from both the private and government sectors.”
“CONGRATULATIONS to all……keep working on the next chapter because ‘until the Lion tells (writes) his story it will always be told (written) by the hunter’. We’ve already heard a million hunter stories. It is a crying shame that this project, ‘The Wadadli Pen Challenge’ does not get the public support it deserves.”
Comments right here ON WADADLI PEN:
“Giant congratulations to ALL………….keep on taking it to the next chapter.”
“Keep Writing and a big Congrats to all the writers and winners this year.”
“Congratulations on a very timely story Mr. George, one need not be a rocket scientist “to get it”. I hope it gets read by more than just the “usual suspects”…………………….”
FINAL THOUGHT: Okay so for the first time, I think, I’ve left the comment section beneath the stories open. In the past, I felt very protective of the writers because of their ages and so closed the stories off to comments. But you know what, feedback is part of the writing life, so feel free to comment; but be constructive – abusive statements will be deleted.
Thanks for reading…and thanks to Antigua Chronicle for permitting the use of their photos.
So, pictures…
I don’t have any. But there’s Received permission to repost images from a great album at Antigua Chronicle’s facebook page. We want to thank them (and specifically past Wadadli Pen winner Angelica O’Donoghue) for coming out.
Here are a selection (go to their facebook page and like them, okay?)
Winner, winner, winner!
The top three—-> 
Filed under A & B Lit News Plus, Wadadli Pen 2013, Wadadli Pen News
Press release – the wrap
Wadadli Pen once again proves that when it comes to talent, age is nothing but a number. The top three in the 2013 Challenge are writers from each age category. The overall winner is 15-year-old Antigua Girls High School student Asha Graham with her tale of quiet yearning ‘Revelations Tonight’ which also won the 13 to 17 age category. Graham was, also, third in her age category with her poem ‘Remembrance’. Second overall is 27-year-old Daryl George; also winner in the 18 to 35 age category, with the haunting ‘Ceramic Blues’; he also claimed the runner up spot in his age category with ‘Julie Drops’. Third overall and winner in the 12 and younger category is Antigua Grammar School student 12-year-old Zuri Holder with his sports themed story ‘The Big Event’.
The Awards ceremony at which these writers and all finalists were recognized was held Sunday afternoon at the St. Mary’s Street store of long time Wadadli Pen partner The Best of Books.
The other big announcement of the day was the US$500 worth of books each to be gifted by Hands across the Sea to Antigua Girls High School and St John’s Catholic Primary for most submissions.
Wadadli Pen’s organizers are also pleased to recognize and express gratitude for the support of regular patrons like Conrad Luke, Stephen B. Shoul, and the Cushion Club. Shout outs are also due to Art at the Ridge, Barbuda Express, Jane Seagull, Pamela Arthurton, Bayhouse Restaurant, Keyonna Beach, Heavenly Java 2 Go, Raw Island Products, Silver Lining supermarket, and Koren Norton. Several writers contributed copies of their books: namely Antiguan and Barbudan writers Dorbrene O’Marde, Althea Prince, Claudia Elizabeth Ruth Francis, and Marie Elena John; Jamaican writers Diana McCaulay and Diane Browne; Trinidadian writer Kris Rampersad; Kittitian-Nevisian writer Carol Mitchell; and British writer Elaine Spires. There is one other major patron who wishes to remain anonymous. Gratitude also to Wadadli Pen’s media partners, especially Antiguanice.com and 365Antigua.com both of which maintain Wadadli Pen pages on their popular online hubs.
Wadadli Pen partners and writers in their own right Brenda Lee Browne, Barbara Arrindell, Floree Williams, and Joanne C. Hillhouse, who founded the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize back in 2004, have added to the prize pool: two spots in Browne’s Just Write Writers Retreat, and copies of Arrindell’s Legend of Batman’s Cave and Other Stories, Williams’ Pink Teacups and Blue Dresses, and Hillhouse’s Oh Gad!
Taking their portion of these prizes are writers Jamila Salankey, Vega Armstrong, Chammaiah Ambrose, and Michaela Harris; and art winners Avecia James, Dennika Bascom, Jamika Nedd, and Gavin Jeffrey Benjamin. Other shortlisted writers were Juliet Browne, Rhea Watkins, Isheba Simon, Danielle M. Benjamin, Latoya Aretha Honoré, Arati Jagdeo, and Latisha Walker-Jacobs.
Hillhouse reminds that Wadadli Pen’s purpose is to nurture and showcase Antiguan and Barbudan youthful literary talent. As such the top stories are returned to the writers with the editors’ notes for revision. In time, she hopes with funding and support to conduct workshops in schools and community.
For the full breakdown of2013 winners and prizes, and the project’s history visit http://wadadlipen.wordpress.com To support future activities email wadadlipen@yahoo.com
Filed under A & B Lit News Plus, Wadadli Pen 2013, Wadadli Pen News
WHO WON IN 2013?
THE WADADLI PEN CHALLENGE 2013 FINALISTS ARE…
ANTIGUA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
ASHA GRAHAM
AVECIA JAMES
CHAMMAIAH AMBROSE
DARYL GEORGE
DENNIKA BASCOM
GAVIN JEFFREY BENJAMIN
JAMIKA NEDD
JAMILA H. K. SALANKEY
MICHAELA HARRIS
ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY
VEGA ARMSTRONG
ZURI HOLDER
*see all shortlisted writers here.
*re prize split – please note that each shortlisted writer receives a Certificate of Achievement as well as discount cards from the Best of Books; and the overall winner’s name has been emblazoned alongside the name of past winners onto the Challenge plaque – sponsored by the Best of Books.
SCHOOLS WITH THE MOST SUBMISSIONS
Primary School – St. John’s Catholic Primary – US$500 worth of books sponsored by Hands Across the Sea
Secondary School – Antigua Girls High School – US$500 worth of books sponsored by Hands Across the Seatop
Author of Revelations Tonight and Remembrance
Overall Winner (Revelations Tonight), Winner in the 13 to 17 age category (Revelations Tonight) and Third placed in the 13 to 17 age category (Remembrance)
Total prizes:
Cash
$500 sponsored by Conrad Luke of R. K. Luke and Sons and the Leonard Tim Hector Memorial Committee
Literary Opportunities
Sponsored spot – Just Write writers retreat courtesy Brenda Lee Browne
Books
So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince
Oh Gad! by Joanne C. Hillhouse
LiTTscapes: Landscapes of Fiction from Trinidad and Tobago by Kris Rampersad
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg and other gifts courtesy the Best of Books
Send out you Hand by Dorbrene O’Marde
The Caribbean Writer Volume 26 & the Antigua and Barbuda Review of Books - women’s edition contributed by Joanne C. Hillhouse
Island Princess in Brooklyn by Diane Browne
The Legend of Bat’s Cave and Other Stories by Barbara Arrindell
And more
Original one of a kind journal created by Jane Seagull
Pen sponsored by Pam Arthurton of Carib World Travel and the Antigua and Barbuda International Literary Festival
Two tickets on board Barbuda Express
Gift bag from Raw Island Products
Gift courtesy Joanne C. Hillhouse top
Author of Ceramic Blues and Julie Drops
Second placed Overall (Ceramic Blues), Winner (Ceramic Blues) and Second Placed (Julie Drops) in the 18 to 35 age category
Total prizes:
Cash
$200 (patron prefers to remain anonymous)
Literary Opportunities
Sponsored spot – Just Write writers retreat courtesy Brenda Lee Browne
Books
Unburnable by Marie Elena John
So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince
Althea Prince’s In the Black: New African Canadian Literature (contributed by Joanne C. Hillhouse)
Send out you Hand by Dorbrene O’Marde
Tides that Bind and the Road to Wadi Halfa by Claudia Elizabeth Ruth Francis
Sweet Lady by Elaine Spires
Book gift courtesy Silver Lining supermarket
Gifts courtesy the Best of Books
And more
2 tickets on board Barbuda Express
Lunch for two at Keyonna Beach
Lunch for two – Bayhouse Restaurant @ Tradewinds Hotel
Gifts courtesy Joanne C. Hillhouse top
Author of The Big Event
Third placed overall and first placed in the 12 and younger age category
Total prizes:
Books
So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince
The Legend of Bat’s Cave and Other Stories by Barbara Arrindell
Gifts courtesy the Best of Books
And more
$200 Gift certificate – Stephen B. Shoul
2 tickets on board Barbuda Express
Gift courtesy Joanne C. Hillhouse top
Author of Her Blackest Sin
Third placed in the 18 to 35 age category
Total prizes:
Books
Send out you Hand by Dorbrene O’Marde
So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing
Tides that Bind and the Road to Wadi Halfa by Claudia Elizabeth Ruth Francis
And More
Gift certificate for Latte, Capuccino or Coffee – Heavenly Java 2 Go.top
Author of Secret of de Mango Tree
Second placed in the 13 to 17 age category
Total prizes:
Books
Island Princess in Brooklyn by Diane Browne
Pink Teacups and Blue Dresses by Floree Williams
So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince
Gifts courtesy the Best of Books
And More
$50 book gift certificate – Cushion Club top
Author of Hide and Seek
Second placed in the 12 and younger age category
Total Prizes:
Books
Caribbean Adventure Series – three pack by Carol Mitchell
Gifts courtesy the Best of Books top
Author of How Tigers Got Stripes
Third placed in the 12 and younger age category
Total prizes:
Books
The Legend of Bat’s Cave and other stories by Barbara Arrindell
Caribbean Adventure Series – three pack by Carol Mitchell
Gifts courtesy the Best of Books top
Winner in the junior section of 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge
Total Prizes:
Gifts courtesy the Best of Books
Gift courtesy Jane Seagull
Gifts courtesy Art at the Ridge top
Second placed in the junior section of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge
Total Prizes:
Antigua My Antigua by Barbara Arrindell
Gifts courtesy the Best of Books
Gifts courtesy Art at the Ridge top
Third placed in the junior section of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge
Total Prizes:
Antigua My Antigua by Barbara Arrindell
Gifts courtesy the Best of Books
Gifts courtesy Art at the Ridge top
Winner in the young adult section of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge
Total Prizes:
Gifts courtesy the Best of Books
Gift courtesy Art at the Ridge
Cash gift courtesy Koren Norton and anonymous donor
That he may have the opportunity to collaborate with writer Barbara Arrindell on her next children’s picture book is something we can all look forward to top
Special thanks as well to all the 2013 partners: Barbara Arrindell and the Best of Books, Floree Williams, Devra Thomas, Linisa George, and Brenda Lee Browne. Thanks as well to our media partners who help get the word out, especially Antigua Nice and 365 Antigua who for several years and ongoing have hosted pages for Wadadli Pen on their very busy hubs.
I am Joanne C. Hillhouse. I am first and foremost a writer (author of The Boy from Willlow Bend, Dancing Nude in the Moonlight, Oh Gad! and contributor to other anthologies and journals) who could’ve benefited from this kind of encouragement back in the day. That’s why I do this. Congratulations to all the winners, and remember this is not just a contest; this is our attempt to nurture and showcase Antiguan and Barbudan literary talent. We’ve taken the time over the years to provide feedback to the winning writers, conduct writing workshops including online workshops right here on this site, visit schools, and other activities (such as this site) designed to help young writers hone their skills. As we showcase your best efforts here on http://wadadlipen.wordpress.com we encourage you to keep writing and to remain open to the opportunities to become a better writer.
REMEMBRANCE BY ASHA GRAHAM
Sand painted toes
And salty tongues,
A blood red sunset stains the sky pink,
Yet the days reach no end.
And with a brilliant spark
The sun fuses with the distant horizon.
The spray of the angry waves,
Christens us as we clamber the rocks.
With seaweed hugging our ankles,
And the salted mist possessing our souls.
The torn nets and fading footprints
Calmly remind us of who we used to be.
The crash of the waves rings its own music,
Calling us to become one with its song.
Chilling and familiar,
That’s what the evening brings.
Dry, rotten coconuts scatter the beach,
And the breeze feels strange as it holds us.
Eyes wide open as we taste the view
So in time we are almost happy.
We want nothing,
We have nothing,
Yet the sun is ours;
Still the sea is ours.
And the sand has not forgotten us;
Though we had forgotten ourselves.
BIO: Remembrance earned Antigua Girls High School student Asha Graham third place in the 13 to 17 age category of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Challenge. Her other entry, Revelations Tonight, a short story, won her not only the category ![Bio_pic[1]](http://wadadlipen.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bio_pic1.jpg)
but the overall prize. Asha’s been writing since age 10 and is a “wishful thinker” who dreams of being a future bestselling author. Our verdict: her success in this year’s challenge marks her as one to watch…clearly, with talent like this, the bestseller list could very well be in her future if she keeps reading, keeps dreaming, and keeps layering skills unto her remarkable talent.
Please respect the writer’s copyright; do not use or alter without permission.
Filed under A & B Lit News Plus, Wadadli Pen 2013, Wadadli Pen News
REVELATIONS TONIGHT BY ASHA GRAHAM
She turned around quickly. Her messy hair caressed the form of her neck. Her hair, it was red, juicy orange red like how I imagined the flames of hell after Mama read the dreaded book of Revelations when I was little. It always seemed to rub against the side of her distinct jawline when she talked, that being only when. The girl never spoke much, at least not to us, Mama said she thought she was better than us folks but I could never believe it. I always sat at the window, well-hidden by the curtains, next to Granny’s picture and watched her as she walked past our house to hers. She fascinated me not only because of her oddly shaped face or her sunburnt tangle of hair I daren’t call curls, but because she stood out like white on a black background.
‘What did you say?’ she asked softly. I had never heard her speak before, but her voice barely above a whisper hit me like a sudden drizzle on a sunny summer day. Her hazel eyes flickered upwards to my face as I let mine hit the ground.
‘The time,’ I repeated. She looked at her watch.
‘A quarter past twelve’
‘T-Thank you’
‘You’re welcome’
I looked up at her face to catch a last glance before she quickly turned around and continued her stroll to her house. It was then I realized that for the months that I had hidden behind that window, truly hiding behind myself that I had never really observed her slight features fully. I noticed way more in that glance than I had ever around anyone else. I saw her eyes flittered like a wounded butterfly, still picking up every movement; the sparse freckles that spread from the bridge of her nose to her tan cheeks, her trembling lips that spread to show a faint flash of teeth and the small scar planted on her otherwise perfect chin. Though her beauty did not depend on symmetry no amount of side glances and sneaky glimpses could ever fully capture it; however no matter how full the view it could never be devoured at once.
Mama wondered why I didn’t touch my dinner that night, why I just stared out of the window when she called me to help her peel potatoes, why I sang while watering her half-dead roses in the whole-dead backyard she called a garden but she wouldn’t understand. She never seemed to understand anything I wished she would, or she just never cared enough to give a good answer, it was always a ‘Dats life, boy!’ or the more popular ‘I ain’t got no time fo’ your curiosity, chile!’ Now I wasn’t prepared for her shrugs or careless answers so I somehow promised myself to gather the courage to probably ask the girl the date this time. She never walked past our house that day or any other day after that.
The old village gossip Miss Esma claimed she moved to the better half of town, some rumored she was getting married to a politician’s son. I was reassured of two things that day: I lived in the worse part of town and I was no politician’s son (Mama’s daily reminder about how much I was like ‘ma fadda’ had me quite sure.) I was just some nineteen year old boy who still lived with his Mama, who sat at the louvered window by the black-and-white picture of some stern, old lady and watched the passersby, just another lonely boy who never knew the time.
Life just went by after that day. But I never forgot her; every time I read the book of Revelations she came to mind, yes, the girl with the hell-flames hair.
‘Johnny you by de damn window again? Hurry up chile we reading Revelations tonight.’
But I was content.
BIO: “Love should be differentiated from enchantment” Asha Graham writes in her notes appended to this story; a statement marking the 15-year-old winner in the 2013 Wadadli Pen Challenge 13 to 17 age category and overall winner as an old soul. Graham attends Antigua Girls High School and says she “enjoys listening to music, eating and listening to music while eating.” She’s been writing since age 10 and dreams of being a future bestselling author. Our verdict: hey, she was tapped as the best in show for this year’s Wadadli Pen, plus her poem Remembrance also earned her third place in the 13 to 17 age category…clearly, with talent like this, the bestseller list could be much more than “wishful think(ing)” if she keeps reading, keeps dreaming, and keeps layering skills unto her remarkable talent.
Please respect the writer’s copyright and do not repost, use, or alter without permission.
CERAMIC BLUES BY DARYL GEORGE
Tanya bent down to scrub the ceramic floor tile. She had already taken care of the toilet – using the soft cloth so as not to scratch the surface, taking time to clean even the appearance of stains. Every stain…
She shuddered, pushing the thought out of her mind.
“How long you going to be cleaning?”
She jumped, startled at her Auntie Angela, who had barged into the bathroom. Her aunt always barged in – making sure that she wasn’t up to “trouble” or doing anything “wrong.”
“I’m trying to clean as quickly as possible” She replied. Her aunt stared at her, pursing her lips.
“I don’t like it when you use that tone with me young lady!”
“What tone are you talking about? I’m not giving you any tone, I’m just…”
“Look, just hush your mouth see! “ Her aunt said before whipping back out of the bathroom.
Far from being upset, Tanya was actually pleasantly surprised. Her aunt had left without bothering to hit her. It seemed that the beatings were becoming less frequent. Tanya wasn’t sure if this was because her aunt began to appreciate that she was far too old to beat, or if her arms had simply grown weary. Tanya continued to clean the tiles, making sure to pay particular attention to the presence of any coloured stains. She suddenly saw one single solitary red speck, at the back of the toilet.
How the hell did it get there? She wondered to herself. Then she thought about the splatter of…
No. She couldn’t think about it, mustn’t think about it.
Finally, she finished. The bathroom was spotless. She moved to her bedroom, exhausted. No sooner had she lain down than she heard the front door opening.
“Lord, thank you for letting me return home safely,” said the deep voice that entered the house. Then the thud as the heavy Bible was softly dropped onto the table. Tanya knew it well – her aunt had used it on her a time or two.
The radio turned on. Christian Broadcasting Radio. “We are but strangers here” came the voices through the radio, singing in happy unison. Apt in my situation, she thought. A strange girl in a strange land. Strange people. And a strange, dull pain…
No. She couldn’t think about it. Mustn’t think about it…
She tuned her ears outside for a few seconds listening intently. Her aunt and uncle seemed to be in rapt discussion. She took out the mp3 player Javonte had lent her, and then pulled the sheets over her head in case her aunt came in. It was a good thing too, because no sooner had she pressed play when she heard the quick footsteps of her aunt. She hurriedly shoved the mp3 player in her pocket before the door opened.
“Lunch is ready… What you doing under the sheet?”
“Nothing” she mumbled in reply, getting up and making her way to the table.
“You finish cleaning the bathroom?” asked her uncle. For a second, it seemed that a flicker of worry passed across his face.
“Yes”
That flicker disappeared. He raised his fork to his mouth, before the meat dropped onto the floor, landing with a splat as the gravy made a colorful pattern on the ceramic tiles.
“Excuse me” Tanya said, abruptly getting up and rushing to the bathroom. She aimed for the sink, but then her knees buckled, sending her to the ground. All she could see were those damned blue ceramic tiles, before the memories came rushing back and she wretched violently all over the floor.
BIO: Daryl George was a 2012 Wadadli Pen Challenge Honourable Mention. In 2013, he is winner and second placed writer in the 18 to 35 age category and second placed overall for Ceramic Blues and Julie Drops. Born and raised in Antigua and Barbuda, the Youth Department employee has always had a passion for literature. He attended the Antigua Grammar School, the Antigua State College and the University of the West Indies, graduating with a degree in Psychology; and recently completed a course at Bangor University in Consumer Psychology with Business.
Filed under A & B Lit News Plus, A & B WRITINGS, Wadadli Pen 2013, Wadadli Pen News
SECRET OF DE MANGO TREE BY MICHAELA HARRIS
Wheneva mama left for de market to buy de veggies an bread,
She beat words in me head like road–march “I don’t care weh you ah go be ….
But ah don’t want you unda dat Mango tree. Yuh see hoo much man dung day?
Is a whole fleet… waiting pan you like a piece a meat! Tek heed young child is fu you own good!”
Den she’d leave, apparently tinking ah understood.
I’d look up an dong, mek sure she garn, den poor me who did neva go school,
Went running dong like a fool.
Kenny Brown, de bwoy from town, tell me him like fu see me and he’d be me boyfren if, today, me gee he de honey.
When I arrived many boys weren’t there, was jus Kenny, big-John, Curtis and wan case a beer.
After my first two bottles a dis same beer, I couldn’t memba de days’ date, or even de year.
Ah felt real giddy an smood, an Kenny told me “girl you’re in the perfect mood”.
“For what” I asked but he didn’t say, all ah see Curtis an big-John clear out de way an lef me, Kenny and de Mango tree.
De last ting a cyan memba was de smile pan Kenny face as he took me lower garments out a place.
Ah woke up in paralyzing pain, an pan me pretty likkle pink skirt was a big red stain.
De smile pan Kenny’s’ face spelled delight an de look in he eye was pure spite.
“Am afraid we can’t be together” he dryly said, den walk way widout even turning his head.
Dat night mama beat me black an blue, as she screamed at me ‘me nah warn you!’
Ah soon found out Kenny left for town, his friends say he lef widout a sound.
Now nobody knows me secret but mama an me, an yes of course de mango tree.
BIO: Michaela Harris is a 15 year old fourth form student from the Antigua Girls High School. She describes herself as hardworking, talented and optimistic; and said she enjoys reading, as well as writing poetry and sometimes short stories. Her narrative poem Secret of de Mango Tree –based, she said, on her observation of peers
concerning sexual relations with the opposite sex – earned her second spot in the 13 to 17 age category of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Challenge. Fortunes vary year to year in Wadadli Pen but having stepped up from the short list in 2012 to making the age category finals this year is a step in the right direction for this young writer.”I am very grateful for this competition because it provides grounds for me to share something I love with others,” said Michaela.
Please respect the writer’s copyright; do not use or alter without permission.
THE BIG EVENT BY ZURI HOLDER
It was a gloriously bright and sunny Saturday morning, when I woke up at 7:43 a.m. filled with excitement because it was the day of the big event: the football match between Antigua and Guydadli which was scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m that evening. I usually would wake up at 8:30 on Saturday mornings, however, today was special and I wanted to finish my chores as quickly as possible because my father had promised to take three of my friends and me to the game after he finished work at 1:30 p.m.
For the last 2 days, my friends and I, along with what seemed to be the entire population of Antigua and Barbuda were constantly talking about this match. What will the score be? Who would score for Antigua and Barbuda? Can Antigua win such a big and important match which would see us, for the first time ever, through to World Cup preliminary qualification? I completed my chores quickly and efficiently because my father would have made me do them over if he wasn’t satisfied, and I didn’t want to risk it because we were to pick up my friends at 3’oclock. I was ready when my dad called at 1:15 saying he now had to work until 2:00. This made me anxious because the radio was informing that the traffic to the Stadium was already moving slowly.
At last, my father arrived home at 2:13 p.m., quickly showered and dressed. We were now ready to go or so I hoped because suddenly he couldn’t remember where he had placed the car keys. The phone rang while we were desperately searching for them; it was Jordan, my friend, reminding me of the time. I panicked and started sweating, he finally found the keys in the clothes hamper of all places. We rushed out to the car and sped off to pick up my friends at the appointed place which, fortunately, was quite close to the venue, but the traffic – cars, busses and trucks – was crawling, it seemed as if everyone and their “grand-ma” was heading to the stadium. We finally arrived and parked. My dad met a friend who was “an official” and he got us in before people ahead of us but not without some choice words and chupses. Knowing “an official” sometimes has its privileges.
The atmosphere in the stadium was like Carnival and Christmas Eve night in St. John’s rolled into one, music was blasting, people were dancing and waving Antigua’s flag. The game kicked off and the excitement increased as both teams played brilliant football up and down the pitch. Half time arrived and the score was tied at zero. My friends and I went for snacks and juice and as soon as we returned to our seats the second half started. More exciting football but neither team managed to break the scoreless deadlock, then, with about 2 minutes left in regular time Antigua scored and the eruption was probably heard in Montserrat, the tension increased, could Antigua defend? The referee added two minutes of extra time, now most everyone was standing and urging Antigua to defend. The full time whistle finally blew setting off a massive celebration, people dancing, jumping and slapping fives, I was exhausted! That night I dreamt I was representing Antigua and it was me, with two minutes left, collecting a pass at midfield and weaving through the opposition’s defense to hit the winner in the top left hand corner of the net and the crowd started screaming my name……
BIO: Zuri Holder is a 12 year old form 1 student at The Antigua Grammar School. He enjoys reading, playing cricket, football and other games. He likes travelling and is also a drummer with the Antigua Dance Academy. In 2011, Zuri placed second in the 12 and younger category of the Wadadli Pen Challenge. The Big Event has earned him third placed overall in the 2013 Challenge and the win in the 12 and younger age category.
Please respect the writer’s copyright; do not use or alter without permission.
Filed under A & B Lit News Plus, Wadadli Pen 2013, Wadadli Pen News
