‘Poems Man’ and the defining of national verse

Martin Carter

Much tribute is being paid to Martin Wylde Carter (1927 – 1997) around this time, and with very good reason. He holds a highly celebrated place in Guyanese literature. He is popularly referred to as Guyana’s national poet, a title that appears to simply recognise his nationality, but which, in fact, does much more. It is a term of endearment, proclaiming his belonging to the nation and its people. Not only do they claim him as theirs, but do him the greatest honour that they could.  With that title they have crowned him with vine leaves of laurel and virtually declared him Poet Laureate.

Being so designated by the people, it was expected that he would have performed certain functions as poet of the nation, in much the same way an officially appointed Poet Laureate would have done. Closely aligned to this, he has also been called “the Poems Man”, a title that inspired artist Stanley Greaves, a fellow poet with a kindred metaphysical and proletarian spirit.  Yet Carter himself was the source of this since it is the title of one of his very significant poems. That poem confirms his popular acclaim, the way people in the streets and villages recognise and acknowledge him.

Still, plain popularity is not what truly distinguishes Carter as national poet. The nation has given him that unofficial crown as a recognition of his greatness. He is acknowledged as Guyana’s best poet to date. The honours roll