Response to Obie Smith regarding Poets police investigation
Date: Thu, 1 May 2008
To:bestwordsmith@gmail.com
Smiles.
Thanks for clearing things up. Certainly this issue must be of a personal matter. Even though, the prospect of a poem, especially one written by a Bahamian, causing/sparking discord excited me. Gone are the days in which poets excited revolutions.
Certainly, if such a poem existed, I would have been forced to seek out its writer; to sit in the company of his/her muse; to vicariously be included within this storm; to seethe within the turmoil. But alas, it seems to be only a family squabble: one unfortunately that has involved the police. I wish those involved, G_d’s speed and a quick remedy.
I am familiar with Felix. He lectured me once. In fact, I likened him to the devil. He had a strange glazed and unsavory look within his eyes that startled me; especially when he got excited about a topic. His long graying beard reminded me of Ben Laden, (Mind you, he lectured me during the time of 911), subsequently anyone that resembled a Muslim at that time, to me was associated with the Taliban. Needless to say, his lecture regarding the “war of the flea” did not help my opinion of him much.
And within that hot upstairs classroom, where no fan was allowed to cool, I often pictured myself in the depths of hell, or some heated, gutter neighborhood of purgatory. For surely, this Felix man was the gatekeeper, and I was within this class for past transgressions. Obie, I prayed often for salvation in that class.
Nevertheless, even though I do consider Felix an eccentric, I must say that he openly expressed high regards for this children/family. Often he would bring them up fondly in classroom discussions. For that alone, I am sure his acts, whatever they may be, were of the best intentions.
Regards,
Cecil.
Ps. I quickly scanned down, and realized again, that Cherese’s poems were being “evaluated” by the police. Surely her work must be thought provoking. Kindly assist me with getting a copy of one that is being evaluated. I would love to write on/appreciate it. Surely, if her ‘poems’ are simply thought provoking poems, and not one of them ‘ Columbine High School type chronicles’ which include potential loom and doom, Cherese should be proud that she spark so much drama. Perhaps in the future, if this ends well, she will have a testament to share with us, those who strive to make a difference with our work.
Nassau, The Bahamas : The Capital of the World!
Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 02:54:54 -0100
From: bestwordsmith@gmail.com
>
> My Dear friend Cecil,
> There is no particular poem, it is her entire oeuvre. I know Cherese’s
> work from hearing it. I’ve not ever seen it in print. She is a close
> friend of Xan-Xi Bethel, another young poet. Xan-Xi is the daughter of
> my friend, Felix Bethel. It seems Cherese sided with Xan-Xi in some
> conflict she’s having with her parents, and ended up in a stew. To
> what degree or exactly how, it is uncertain - unclear to me. Maybe you
> can research it to see if it actually has affected our poetry
> community or if it is just a personal family matter. Much much love.
>
> Xan-Xi, has asked me to cc her these responses - these exchanges.
>
> OBI.
http://bestwordsmith.blogspot.com/
On Wed, Apr 30, 2008 at 9:34 PM, cecil newry wrote:
Obie,
Kindly share the poem that started the controversy.
Moreso, which Bethel ? I find this entertaining to say the least.
Nassau, The Bahamas : The Capital of the World!
________________________________
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:35:48 -0100
From: bestwordsmith@gmail.com
My dear dear Cherese,
forgive my not having responded initially, upon receiving this note or
notice. Though I hadn’t responded by e-mailing back, I have been searching
heart and head for a solution. It is unclear though, what net has fallen
upon you, therefore what has to be done exactly, to free you of it, is
unclear.
Is this a censorship issue or what? In all my years of reading publicly, I’d
not encountered such a case - so is it? Is someone trying to put the lid on
creativity, trying to muzzle a poetic VOICE?
Were this clearly the case, we have a whole community of poets with voices
to appeal to, be certain that we are not made to hush before we’ve begun to
be heard widely enough. Certainly that would be a disservice to our
community, inarticulate as it is already. Your voice is one I’d not want it
or us to lose - as sweet and as forceful as it is.
What we’ve shared here, Cherese Pratt, one of my favorite poets, I shall
share, not only with Nadine, but with other poets, artists, intellectuals
among us, whom I love like I love you.
Our Wednesdays would be severely robbed without your voice, your verse. This
saddens me, absolutely, whatever is involved in or surrounds your situation.
OBI.
Obediah Michael Smith.
http://bestwordsmith.blogspot.com/
On Wed, Apr 30, 2008 at 4:35 PM, cherese pratt
wrote:
I REGRET TO INFORM U DEAR OBIE THAT BECAUSE OF A HORRIFIC TALE TOLD BY THAT
GIANT PIMPLE MR. BETHEL I AM ALSO UNDER POLICE INVESTIGATION AND IT IS
HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT I WILL RETURN TO EXPRESS YOURSELF FOR A WHILE ….. A
LONG WHILE …. THEY HAVE SENT MY POEMS TO THE POLICE FOR EVALUATION OF MY
PSYCH SOOO…. I AM STRESSED PLEASE LET NADEEN KNOW I MAY NOT B BACK
