Meet Jika

April 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

James C. Cadet is an artist of rare imagination. He was born on December 4, 1961 in the main town of the southeast region of La Perle des Antilles: Jacmel. Mostly known as Jika, the artist/painter in him emerged three years ago, when he created a very unique style. Inspired by all that is around him, whether people or objects, Jika finds a way to bring artistic life to everything he touches.

Jika has participated in several art shows in Florida, at the Glass Gallery in Pembroke Pines City Hall (2009), at the City of Miramar Branch of Library (2010), and at the Black History Month US Custom and Border Patrol (2010).

Filed Under: Art Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Elizabeth: Never Judge a Book by Its Cover

April 15, 2012 by 2 Comments

Samantha heaved a big sigh and dumped her textbooks on the table. She was currently in the library and had a major test to study for. She was known as The Nerd just because of how she dressed: sweaters, jeans, sketchers, glasses, cheap watches, old baggy t-shirts, etc. Her brown hair was always put into a messy bun or a sloppy ponytail; she barely wore any make-up, and only had her ears pierced once (as if that was a bad thing). Just because she had amazing grades meant that she was automatically considered a “nerd.”

She sat down, opened her textbook, and took her pen out. But before she could do anything, Stacey (A.KA Queen Bee of the school) stood in front of her. Stacey was the exact opposite of Samantha. Stacey wore skirts, tank tops, dresses, boots, pumps, expensive jewelry, leather jackets, etc. Her blond hair was either always flowing down past her shoulders or in a neat high pony tail. Her face was also drowned in make-up but she always managed to pull it off. To Samantha, Stacey was just “The Rich Snob.” Pretty but probably dumb.

Pushing her negative thoughts away, Samantha looked up and plastered a fake smile on her face. “Um…do you need something?” she asked politely, trying not to be rude.

Stacey rolled her aqua blue eyes and shoved a paper in Samantha’s hand. “You dropped this!” she exclaimed with a scowl on her face.

“Whoa,” Samantha thought as she took in The Rich Snob’s annoyed features. “Why the attitude? What did I do?”

“Anyways, stop being stupid!” Stacey fumed. With that she stormed out of the library leaving a speechless Samantha.

Snapping back to focus, Samantha looked down at the paper. “Oh, my God,” she said to no one in particular. There were sparkling pink pen marks on her paper; they circled the math calculations she had gotten wrong, and arrows pointed to the correct ways to solve the different problems.

Samantha did a double take and nodded. This was definitely the work of Stacey: Smiley faces on top of the positive notes, sad faces next to remarks in the like of  “Are you dumb? I thought you were supposed to be the school nerd?” Or: “That’s wrong. X = 2 not 3!” Or: “Were you even paying attention in class?”

Samantha smiled a genuine smile and looked at the door that Stacey (A.KA Queen Bee) had just walked out of. She was smarter than Samantha…who was supposed to be a nerd.

Samantha shook her head and looked back at her paper.

You know what they say… Never Judge a Book by its Cover

***

Elizabeth is a 7th grader who lives in South Florida.



Filed Under: Issue 3.3, Under 25 Tagged With:

Smoye Noisy: Mwen Jwenn Li (Eureka)

April 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Mwen jwenn pi bèl mo ki egziste nan diksyonè a
Mwen jwenn pi bèl mo pou rezime bib la
Mwen jwenn pi bèl mo pou eksplike batay gran Mèt la
Mwen jwenn pi bèl mo pou fè la relijyon konn sa pou l preche.
Mwen jwenn pi bèl mo pou fè la politik mache
Mwen jwenn pi bèl mo ki fè la filozofi di la verite
Mwen jwenn pi bèl mo ki fè la syans jwenn sa lap chèche.

Yon mo ki fè EDIKASYON nesesè
Ki fè Lekòl sonje wòl li
Ki fè la jistis konn sa pou l defann
Ki bay tout metye, tout diplòm, tout tit, tout grad valè
Yon mo ki gen plis repons ke kesyon
Yon mo ki pote plis solisyon ke pwoblèm

Se li ki fè tab la kanpe, ki fè machinn nan woule
Se li ki fè a dwat ak a gòch rete nan plas yo.
Se li ki fè anwo pa tonbe sou anba.

Se li ki fè pozitif ak negatif kontre pou pwodwi elektrisite

Yon sèl mo, yon sèl:

“RESPÈ”

Se li ki fè rekonèt lanmou
Se li ki fè valè lamitye
Se li ki fè biznis pwospere
Se li ki sèl FÒS pou bati paradi.

***

Smoye Noisy fèt Okap nan lopital Justinien men se Ouanaminthe li grandi. Li fè tout etid primè li kay Frè Enstriksyon Kretyèn Ouanaminthe; apre sètifika li rantre Pòtoprens pou li kontinye etid segondè li. Pi gwo pasyon l se te radyo kote li fè yon bel karyè. Li pase nan Radyo Antiy tankou animatè, prezantatè, jounalis epi tou repòtè Radyo Metwopòl ak menm tit yo. Apre radyo li eseye tou televizyon men eksperyans li nan domèn sa a pat twò long. Apre sa nou pral jwen li nan sinema ayisyen ak 5 fim pami yo: Le Cap à la une, Millionnaire par erreur (yon fim ke li ekri li menm epi Jean Gardy fe montaj lan), VIP, Miracle de la foi, epitou Journée de cooler (on ti fim ke de jèn nan Okap te realize)

Filed Under: Issue 3.3, Pwezi Tagged With: , , ,

Guy Cayemite: poèmes

April 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

FINI

Tu réclames toute attention
mais tues l’âme de mes intentions
sans merci tu me nies ton cœur,
la lie de ta cigüe, mon malheur,
un lit qui me hante, m’enchante
et me lie à cette plume qui te chante.
“C’est fini! Fini le lien! Adieu!”
me dis tu, “Fini!” au lieu
d’un au revoir comme de coutume,
voir un baiser à ma plume…
Vaut mieux me fuir
que m’être indifférente,
vaut mieux me hair
que m’être distante,
l’amour en onde
court notre monde…
Un jour tu es là,
en un tour, l’autre pas,
en somme tu oscilles
comme tu pétilles…
Tout en toi m’est égal,
 à mon goût, un régal,
car vois tu , je t’aime
toutes les fois le même…

***

Né le 8 juillet 1950 à Jérémie, Louis Joseph Guy Marie Cayemitte est le fils de René Cayemitte, instituteur, et d’Inès Mars. Il fit ses études primaires chez les Frères de l’Instruction Chrétienne. Pour ses études secondaires, il fréquenta d’abord le collège Saint Louis de Jérémie (jusqu’en Rétho) et ensuite le lycée Anténor Firmin (Philo). Après des études en comptabilité à la Faculté de Droit et des Sciences Économiques, il a travaillé à l’usine à glace Nationale et à la Banque de Boston à Port-au-Prince jusqu’en 1982. Il s’est ensuite établi à Miami, en Floride, où il réside jusqu’à cette date. Il s’essaie à la poésie depuis 2009.

Filed Under: Issue 3.3, Poesie Tagged With: , , ,

Anna Fayona: Impossible Retour (extraits)

April 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Un texte et un haïku d’Anna Fayonna extraits du livre IMPOSSIBLE RETOUR

Je revenais du gym
et il se tenait là
tout près de l’escalier
à l’entrée du métro.
Ce jeune homme noir au regard suppliant
mendiant quelques centimes
afin de s’acheter
le premier pain de la journée.
Je n’avais dans mon portefeuille
qu’un peu de petites pièces
Et j’ai eu si honte d’avoir à offrir
moins que le Huard
que j’ai passé mon chemin
sans lui faire une offrande.
Depuis, j’ai le cœur lourd.
Ce jeune homme là,
c’est le fils de quelqu’un
quelqu’un qui sans doute me ressemble.
Et je pleure
à la place d’une mère
qui ignore peut‑être que son fils
se tient dans une station de métro
tendant une main désespérée
vers des gens qui l’évitent à tout prix.

***

Tout comme le roseau
Se plier au gré du vent
Puis se relever

***

Anna Fayonna est un nom de plume. Pourquoi un nom de plume? C’est simplement que, dans la vie de tous les jours, être comptable et être écrivain ne font pas bon ménage. Anna Fayonna est auteure alors que l’autre part d’elle‑même, par la force des choses, continue d’œuvrer dans le milieu corporatif de Montréal.

Anna Fayonna est née à Port‑au‑Prince, de l’union d’une nonne ─une religieuse de la congrégation catholique Saint‑Joseph de Cluny et bonne sœur à Sainte‑Rose de Lima qui, toute jeune, quitta le couvent pour cause de maladie─ et d’un prédicateur pentecôtiste, un célibataire endurci, un homme qui avait bien vécu et qui entrait en âge. Deux êtres dont la rencontre eût été impossible, si ce n’était de la sainte présence de l’Église!

C’est en 2006 que Fayonna publie son premier roman Une suite de petits événements – en toute innocence. Depuis, elle a publié trois autres romans et un recueil de poèmes introspectifs. Fayonna a d’abord voulu se pencher sur la situation des femmes. Les femmes, dans leurs faiblesses et leurs désappointements; mais aussi dans leur grandeur et dans leurs réussites! Néanmoins, comment parler de femmes sans parler des hommes? Ainsi tous ses romans finissent par se conjuguer au pluriel, pour explorer un peu les vastes possibilités de notre humanité.

Toujours soucieuse de la condition des femmes, Fayonna a participé au Comité des Femmes des Communautés culturelles de la Fédération des Femmes du Québec. À l’occasion de la marche mondiale des femmes, en octobre 2010, elle rédige, avec Alexandra Pierre, un article paru dans le Féminisme en Bref et intitulé « Autonomie en emploi: une course à obstacles pour les femmes immigrantes ». Actuellement, à Montréal, elle est directrice générale d’un organisme de défense des droits des personnes aînées, en vue d’une amélioration de leur qualité de vie. Dans le cadre de ses fonctions, elle a récemment rédigé et présenté, à l’Assemblée Nationale, un mémoire sur les enjeux liés à une éventuelle décriminalisation de l’euthanasie et du suicide assisté, relativement à la Commission sur la question de Mourir dans la dignité.

Ouvrages publiés:
Une Suite de Petits Événements – En Toute Innocence  (roman, 2006)
Les Lycéennes  (roman, 2008)
Le Pain des Sans‑Pitiés (roman, 2009)
La Confusion des Photogéniques (roman, 2011)
Impossible Retour  (textes introspectifs)

Filed Under: Excerpts, Issue 3.3 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , Le Pain des Sans‑Pitiés, , , , , , , ,

Philomé Robert: Exil au crépuscule

April 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Par quel miracle une journée de lundi se termine-t-elle par un aller simple Port-au-Prince Paris ? Comment se fait-il qu’un journaliste se retrouve en exil quand il ne faisait que son métier par un matin de décembre ? Dans un Port-au-Prince où les balles sifflent,  une ville livrée  aux partisans du président Jean-Bertrand Aristide ouvertement hostiles à la presse indépendante, la vie d’un journaliste ne vaut pas grand-chose. Exil au crépuscule raconte la fuite d’un journaliste  pour sauver sa peau. Il mêle regards sur l’exil, sentiments d’arrachement, coups de colère. Le tout empreint d’un regard sans concession sur le système politique qui a prévalu en Haïti pendant les années 2000 sous le règne du couple Aristide-Préval. Mais, au-delà du récit d’un  départ précipité vers une France à découvrir, Exil au crépuscule livre un implacable réquisitoire contre un régime qui prenait trop de libertés avec les libertés en Haïti. C’est aussi un cri vibrant en faveur du Droit et du devoir d’informer.

A propos de l’auteur :

Ancien journaliste de Radio Vision 2000 à Port-au-Prince et de RFI à Paris, Philomé Robert est présentateur  des éditions d’informations du week-end sur la chaine française d’informations internationales France 24. Diplômé de la faculté de Linguistique appliquée et de la faculté de Droit de Port-au-Prince, de l’Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne et de Sciences Po à Paris,  Philomé Robert vit à Paris depuis 10 ans. Exil au crépuscule est son premier livre. Il est par ailleurs co-auteur d’un ouvrage intitulé Haïti réinventer l’avenir publié début 2011 conjointement aux éditions de la Maison des sciences de l’homme et de l’Université d’Etat d’Haïti sur la vie en Haïti avant, pendant et après le séisme du 12 janvier 2010.

Philome Robert

Filed Under: Book Release, Issue 3.3 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mimi Ferebee: Oni’s Well

April 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment 
she walks on water,
                 ripples oiling under her prance
backstroking in a clear gulf

she sprints along the bank shore     
                           or rather under it
as her bucket cocoons

sloshing
                 percussions
                 of her morning labor,
                           her shakes, rubs, scrapes

                 the beat of her toils
swaying that in-style, avant-garde container

her small head-hut
                 houses the sap of flexed forearms,
wrinkled brows, contorted cheeks
& pursed lips

                 oh, how they press
                           under saffron skies today,
                           the orange notes
                           pregnant with effervescence
                           seem to dance along the slit
                           of her philtrum

                 digging     sweeping

                           tearing
                           into her mouth

lustful-like
with a virgin thirst
                 & a greedy throat

her parch
feels like baobab claws
                 scratching within a russet sandstorm
                 & something about that seems lovely

she flinches at the thought of pain,
                the ache that accompanies
                           all achievements

& with the a gentle pull of her lips
                                     to sing

it’s ah long john,  she croons
                 & i’m ah-long gone from he-yah

it’s ah season

                 through & through

something, somewhere hmm—hmm

                 quelqu’un, quelque part
                 yes…hmm--hmmm

drowning months of silence,
                 as she carries her salvation,

                 soon packing these poignant memories
                 into an american suitcase

***
Mimi Ferebee is the editor-in-chief of RED OCHRE PRESS, overseeing the publication of both RED OCHRE LiT and ROLiT NEWS.

While originally from California, she resides in Virginia with husband, Melvin, and their Shih Tzu and Pekingese.

A graduate of the College of William and Mary, she received degrees in both English (emphasis in Creative Writing and Literature) and Psychology (emphasis in Behavioral and Developmental Science).

She recently retired a career as a clinical therapist to pursue her primary passions of writing and editing full-time. When not working on completing her novel “In the Distant Marshes” and various other literary projects, she diligently works to complete applications for doctoral programs. She wants to obtain a PhD in English Literature.

Mimi also works with at-risk youth, refining their reading and composition skills. She spends many evenings in detention centers and twice as many weekend mornings at libraries working with this population. She prides herself on being an advocate for her students, helping them not only perceive, but achieve their potential.

Her literary work has been featured recently in several journals, magazines and reviews, including Contemporary World Literature, Bewildering Stories, Decanto Magazine (UK), Both Sides Now, Flutter Poetry Journal, Leaning House Press, Caper Literary Journal, ChickenBones: A Journal & Houston Literary Review.

Look for upcoming publications in James Dickey Review, Taj Mahal Review (India) & Black Magnolias Literary Journal. Also, her full length poetry collection, Seraglio, will be published by Patasola Press (Fall, 2011). Mimi’s essay “Devil in a Blue Dress and Cinnamon Kiss: An Exploration of African American Financial Insecurity and its Impact on Psychological Development” will also be published in the fall by Psychedelic Literature, while her “Is Your Daughter Planning to Sell Her Virginity: On the Road to a Notion of Feminism” debuted in April 2011 in TawdryBawdry.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Marie-Ketsia Theodore-Pharel: Poetry

April 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The words
Like mother’s milk
drip into my mind’s mouth
to comfort, to nurture.

At first they are simple–even tasteless
with a sweet fattiness
made for me.

Returning each time
blow after blow
to where it all started.

Underneath the warm flow
Of words, the world
is new again.

***

Marie Ketsia Theodore-Pharel is the author of the following picture book titles: I’ll Fly Away, A Fish Called Tanga, Keeper of the Sky, Daughter of the House, and One More Daughter, America. She is the author of Haiti: a Cigarette Burning at Both Ends in Butterfly Ways: Voices from the Haitian Dyaspora in the United States edited by Edwidge Danticat. Her short stories have appeared in the following literary magazines: Compost, African Homefront, Onyx, and Watermark. She was born in Port au Prince, Haiti in 1974. She moved to Boston at the age of ten where she was educated. She has a B.A. from Tufts University and a M.A. from the University of Massachusetts. She lives in Homestead, FL with her husband and daughter.

Filed Under: Poetry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nayeli Fanfan: The Art of Being a Diva

April 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Modern chic. Sophisticated classic. Fashion model Nayeli Fanfan is a total babe! Born and raised in Port-au-Price, Haiti, Nayeli started modeling in her teens. She was crowned Miss Inter-College in 2000, Miss Florida in 2003, and also won First Place at the Miss Haiti International pageant in Paris, France, in 2004. She is now the owner of the Caribbean Dance Team and an active member of HANNA, the Haitian American Nurse Association. Yup, Nayeli is beauty AND brains—a real diva! How does she do it?

Nayeli Fanfan


INTERVIEW WITH NAYELI FANFAN

Nayeli, how did you start modeling?
As I was growing up in Port-au-Prince, people who met me often commented on my height and looks. “You look like a model,” they would say. “You should be a model.”  One day, I decided to give it  try. At age 15, I joined Magalie Racine’s modeling company in Haiti. Since then, modeling has been my passion. I really enjoy every aspect of it.

Tell us about your education.
I graduated from FIU with a degree in Nursing and I’m currently getting a Master’s to become a Nurse Practitioner. I am Registered a Nurse working in a cardiac unit. As far as modeling is concerned, I received training at Image Models & Talent Agency and John Casablancas Modeling & Career Center.

Tell us about your modeling experience so far—first big break, favorite job…
My big break? Well, the title “Miss Haiti international” has opened up many doors. As for my favorite job, I’ll go with Miami Fashion week. I always wanted to participate in this big event and my wish was finally granted this year. Let’s talk about other dreams of mine: I want to win America’s Next Top Model and sign a contract with Wilhelmina. I want to be a role model for the others to come. As I get further in my career, I want to be featured in prestigious magazines and get speaking roles in commercials and movies.

Nayeli, you look stunning. Tell us about your eating habits, your workout routine…
I eat frequent small meals—every 4 hours, actually. I try to keep starches to a minimum and fill up on fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and protein. I drink a lot of water, and my favorite snack is Fiber One chewy bar. I don’t go to the gym that often. I love to put on music at home and use dance as a form of exercise. Oh, and the wii game! I love “Just Dance.” As both a nurse and a model, it’s not difficult to keep a fit and healthy body; at the hospital alone, I burn a lot of calories.  I am always on the go and use the stairs versus the elevators.

What are some of your best beauty tips?
Always wash your face before going to sleep at night. Never sleep with your makeup on. Take daily multivitamins. Drink plenty of water to remain well hydrated. Use sunscreen on your face and body. In fact, if I were stranded on a desert island and could only have one beauty product and one fashion item with me, I would pick  a bottle of sunscreen and a hat.

Influential people in your life?
My parents have always been very supportive of my modeling career and continue to offer me their guidance in order for me to remain safe and clean in the industry. They instilled in me high values and morals, which help me maintain a healthy sense of self-esteem and positive body-image. My other role models are Tara Banks, Oprah and Beyonce.

Nayeli loves fashion, adventure, reading, culture, fun and travel (particularly to Europe). She dislikes narrow minded people, hypocrites, and liars. Visit her online at http://www.nayelifanfan.com/

Filed Under: Editor's Corner Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Paroles, Paroles

March 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Poésie de Hugues Cote; Leila Laraque; et Wanga Nègès.

Filed Under: Paroles Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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