Dear Editor,
As we contemplate the celebration of Carifesta we should reflect on the value of great literature in our system of education today. It would be of great significance if we could value the teaching of literature in our schools, both public and private. It is my firm conviction that the poetry of Martin Carter and many of our literary greats should be taught in our schools today. For our younger generation Martin Carter may be just another name listed among our national heroes, but it’s about time our educators re-introduced his poetry as well as that of other Guyanese writers. On October 22, 1963, Carter said the following: “Publishing poetry in this country is like lending books to corpses. Few read and those who do are not equipped either by curiosity or sensibility to understand what is confronting them.” This has come about because very few read poetry, and many are not equipped with the background in literature to comprehend it.
Martin Wylde Carter was the greatest poet Guyana has produced. He was one of the Caribbean’s greatest intellects, whose creative imagination left an indelible mark on the English-speaking world. He ranks among such literary exponents as Derek Walcott, VS Naipaul, Wilson Harris, Ian McDonald, AJ Seymour and Kamau Braithwaite. He was an important figure in the national independence movement and very active in liberating Guyana from British colonialism until we gained Independence on May 26, 1966. He lived until the mature age of 70, and devoted 40 years of his life to his country and literary pursuits. His works are now being studied at Caribbean and British universities and in the wider world. Dr Gemma Robinson from the University of Newcastle in England wrote her PhD dissertation on the life and writings of Carter.
One of the delights of Carter’s poetry is its rendering of profound philosophical thoughts locked in magnificent imagery. As we study his work again we will see Carter the Guyanese national poet, the revolutionary poet, the political poet, the disillusioned poet, the metaphysical poet and the spiritual and theological poet. His poems range from those that express moral anger and outrage at corruption to poems that are deeply introspective and metaphysical.
In life Carter was a man of wisdom and wit, a gracious and elegant personality, a unique and fascinating figure. The quality of his poetry will be remembered.
Yours faithfully,
Rev Gideon Cecil
