Someone......

By Kerwin De Matas

"Some one came knocking
At my wee, small door;
Someone came knocking;
I'm sure-sure-sure;
I listened, I opened,
I looked to left and right,
But nought there was a stirring
In the still dark night;
Only the busy beetle
Tap-tapping in the wall,
Only from the forest
The screech-owl's call,
Only the cricket whistling
While the dewdrops fall,
So I know not who came knocking,
At all, at all, at all."                                                   .............. Walter De La Mare


You know, in some families, there is that " someone" that might be an alcoholic, drug addict, felon, drifter, worthless...and the list goes on...
That someone is usually shunned by society as another problem, sometimes by their own family.
Most times though that "some one" is always knocking, asking for help in the only way they know how. To us it will be as violent behaviour, mood swings, incomprehensible blabber, delinquency, alcoholism, drug abuse etc....Remember, these problems always have their origins.
Just as our "some one" will need professional help, the family of that person would also need counselling on how to cope, as well as how to support that "someone".

In Trinidad and Tobago, yes there are small organizations that are there to help, but so long as the general population continues to be indifferent, and not very sympathetic towards these "some ones"..... nothing will happen. According to Trinbagonians, these people just need a good "cut-ass"! (beating). Therefore these unfortunate people, rejected by society, would just continue to add to vagrancy, crime, drug addiction etc...
Well, I also have a "some one" in my family, of whom I love very much, and unfortunately for my family member, he is living in Trinidad....and it worries me everyday of what his out come would be. I say I love him, but yet I am so far away from the island...seems like I am more involved with what is going on in my life, that I cannot even try to be there to help in which ever way I can.
Instead, I try communicating with people I think he would listen to, in admitting that he has a problem, and that he needs help.
In these cases, it is commonly known that unless a person with a problem, admits to having a problem, no assistance could be given....and that worries me a lot, because my goodness, he is stubborn!
I believe though that us, his family, should not give up on him, and that we must do what we can to support him in this his down and out moment in life. He owes it to himself, but we owe it to him as well.
So kid, if ever you might read this, just know that I am here for you regardless of my distance, and you should know that we are worried for you, and that we genuinely want to help.  

For bloggers that do read my blog, just think of your "some one" as well, and don't ever forsake them....they are always knocking.... so respond.....
 

The Big Three...

By Kerwin De Matas

Today, I am going to talk about the big three in Trinidad and Tobago. This year though, I promised that I will stay away from the long and winded essays I seem to love. Therefore, I am going to make this short and sweet.
In Trinidad and Tobago, there are a lot of diversities going on there, a big mixing pot of cultures and religions that have been getting along throughout the years amongst animosity, and other strains.
Yet the big three much awaited events, apart from carnival during the Lenten season, are, Eid-ul-fitr, Divali, and Christmas.

Citizens in Trinidad are living the hardships just as any other "third world" country, yet the Catholics, Muslims, and Hindus, love celebrating and sharing their cultures during these periods, despite what ever financial or other problems they might be experiencing.

Yes, Trinbagonians love to show off, and so what?.... During these particular holidays we just love celebrating, costly as they might be, and sometimes ending in debt.... these festivals bring our people together, even if sometimes it might be short lived. But at the end of the day, it is beautiful to see Trinbagonians of every colour and ethnic background coming together, donned in each others ethnic dress according to the event, and just enjoying...

Let us talk about Eid-ul-fitr.
This is a Muslim festival celebrated in Trinidad by Muslims ending the holy month of Ramadan. The conclusion of Ramadan is followed by Eid-ul-fitr where Muslims will visit their local mosques, offerings of charity to people in need, and the most looked forward gathering of friends and family to just enjoy each others company, and eat like there was no tomorrow! I truly enjoy Eid in Trinidad....


Moving along to my next favorite holiday........

Diwali in my opinion is truly magical...looking at the deeyas in their beautiful formations, just memorizes anyone. This holiday is popularly known as the festival of lights.  
The Festival signifies the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, justice over injustice and intelligence over ignorance. The goddess worshipped at Diwali is Mother Lakshmi or Lakshmi Mata. Lakshmi Mata is the goddess of light, wealth and beauty and is also associated with prosperity, luck, riches, abundance, financial well being, and generosity. In this event, you would see the wonderful tassa drumming, and the bamboo formations with the deeyas(little clay containers with oil and wick) expertly laid out, and of which creates an ambiance to calm the most distressed. The Hindus lay out their tables under their homes(most of the homes are built on cement or wooden pillars), or in the yard, and they just invite about anyone to just come by, eat like crazy, partake in the celebrations, having fun that would leave your adrenaline pumping way into the night...

Then just before starting the new year.....
We shouldn't forget Christmas. This holiday is celebrated by the Christian population in Trinidad and Tobago, but what is more, or means more to a Trinbagonian, is the introduction of parang by the Catholics....ohhhh, the parang, sweet music.
Parang is a form of folkloric music introduced to Trinidad and Tobago by the Venezuelans during the immigration exodus to Trinidad during the 18th century. A parang group would usually make up of a cuatro, box base, maracas(chac-chac), mandolin,  and in the old days, a violin, and harp. The group would be made up of front line chorus, and lead singer. This art form was really made famous by artists such as Daisy Voisin, Henry Perreira, Sharlene Flores, Lara Brothers...just to name a few. Unfortunately, I cannot come upon genuine pioneers of this art form in Trinidad from the years gone by. What I can tell you though, is that Catholics spend what they don't have to paint their homes, re-decorate( the all famous "new curtains"), and to stock up on food and drink, why? This is the time of year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and to simulate what he would have done when he was alive....sharing, forgiveness, compassion, loving our fellow man...
Then of course, during the Christmas season, it is also a time where all doors would be opened to bring in the Christmas breezes, and of course, to receive the house to house parang....the parranderos!!

I am writing this now, and missing my big/small island....Don't worry mama Trinity, I'll be back one day. Until then, since I am writing this a day before Diwali, let me just say....HAPPY DIWALI, and a beautiful Christmas season!
Blessings, chao.


                                                                       

Quick Post: Obama Web...

By Kerwin De Matas.

America wakes up to its 44th president, which is correct to say that he is the 43rd person to be president of this country. He is going on for his second term.
Mr. Obama aka "spider-man", kudos to you sir!!
I don't care what anyone says, the public voted you in another term for a reason.
You came into the position four years ago to a country that was, and still is detorieting, but because you are slinging your webs in the right directions, and pulling in all the right people and organizations to help slow this financial slack, America should damn well be grateful.
I have decided quite a while back to not get too involved in U.S. politicking....but from the outside looking in, I am seeing a country that is still keeping its head above water.
Therefore Mr. Obama, what ever you are doing, just continue to stabalize the dollar sir, and let us outsiders continue looking on at this great country as maintaining its stance in front of what ever has to come its way.
This was my cent from two cents...bless.