Yolanda Nicholsen | + Follow Poet |
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St Elizabeth Jamaica

My day began with mommy 
making beef patties all morning 
I helped cutting the veggies for 
the curry soup while sipping ginger 
beer I remembered the curry for her 
special curry goat we were preparing 
for her sisters to visit from Trench town 
my head spending day dreaming about it
anything other than our family tradition 
the Caribbean bakery we were the 
descendant no if ands or buts about 
granddad made home made gingerbread 
cookies while uncles peeled sugarcane 
the elders brought raw cocoa from the 
Mahogany trees coconut husks hung 
sparingly as we drank coconut milk 
while the storms brewed over the 
shanty town of Kingston the cock 
crowed throughout trench town as my 
cousins played keyboards and guitars in the 
street to the the sweetest sultutry sound of 
St Elizabeth infamous Caribbean beat

In loving memory of Dad
Caribbean Bakery 1539 Howard street 
Chicago Illinois..

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Chantelle Cooke Date: 3/21/2024 8:35:00 AM Yolanda! My goodness what an incredible masterpiece! A fav for me! Exalted in all the senses, human emotions and great Love! Login to Reply Yolanda Nicholsen Date: 3/21/2024 3:15:00 PM Thank you so much sweetie many blessings.

Susan Ashley Date: 3/20/2024 8:02:00 PM Dear Yolanda, your rich, sensory imagery brought me to the center of your beautiful nostalgia and family tradition. I could feel the energy, love, joy and pride, and I reveled in it with you. Inspiring and splendid writing! Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 3/21/2024 8:47:00 AM Ah, such beautiful and fun experiences that built a collection of fond family memories.. what a treasure for all! Thank you for sharing this amazing tribute "in loving memory of Dad" Yolanda Nicholsen Date: 3/21/2024 1:55:00 AM Thank you so much Susan I appreciate it this poem is a tribute to my Caribbean in laws actually my father in law but if he was still with us he'd always say I'm your Dad you're my daughter we never used the words in laws so many fond memories with my children and their Jamaican ancestors culture and heritage. Blessings

Don Iannone Date: 3/20/2024 7:47:00 AM Hi Yolanda, Lovely poem. An observation about the poem's mood. "St Elizabeth Jamaica" portrays a warm and nostalgic atmosphere, reminiscent of family gatherings and traditions. The poem's imagery and sensory details paint a vibrant picture of Caribbean life, filled with the aroma of homemade delicacies, the taste of ginger beer, and the sounds of music drifting through the air. And yes, a sense of joy! Cheers, Don Login to Reply Yolanda Nicholsen Date: 3/21/2024 1:53:00 AM Thanks a lot Don I needed to do a warm tribute for my Jamaican in laws fond memories for my children their Caribbean culture and heritage .

Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 3/19/2024 7:59:00 PM Dear Yolanda, your poem is such a heartfelt tribute to family, tradition, and the rich cultural heritage of Jamaica. The imagery and nostalgic tone create a vibrant picture of everyday life infused with love, food, and music. I love that through your artistic words, you honor cherished memories and celebrate the enduring bonds that connect generations. Yolanda what a beautiful ode to the essence of home and the spirit of resilience embedded in Caribbean culture. - Blessings, Daniel Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 3/19/2024 8:27:00 PM My son-in-law who is married to my middle daughter is Jamaican and so is both his mom and dad. A really lovely culture. Yolanda Nicholsen Date: 3/19/2024 8:09:00 PM Thank you so much Daniel I really appreciate it I truly enjoyed actually being able to give a warm tribute to my father in law and mother in law whom taught me the culture and customs of the Caribbean many blessings.