First Person Singular

One day at a time

Just after midnight Tuesday, as most of the country dozed, the vehicles bearing dozens of camouflage-clad cops pulled up quietly outside the high walls of the nondescript Transformed Life Ministry (TLM), along the major Eastern Main Road.

Sweet perils and mysteries

My “cha chi’s” childhood confidante from the community of Cane Grove made that finest of Indian milk sweets, the silky smooth “perah,” that she sold each Saturday, outside Stabroek Market.

Margaret Koukos, her father Chris and pet dog Sadie.
Margaret Koukos, her father Chris and pet dog Sadie.

A missing piece

On her inner left forearm, American teenager Margaret Koukos carries a comforting Biblical line, tattooed in curling, cursive script, “Love never fails…” Taken from Corinthians 1, the popular verse pronounces in the new international version of the Testament, “Love is patient, love is kind.

From Bengal to Biaboo

With over 30 albums and a range of songs, the energetic Guyanese-born chutney artiste, Terry Gajraj continues to tour and produce, more than two decades after his biggest hit.

Chasing Tankaria

As a child, I heard vivid stories from my father about his fearless mother, a flashing firecracker, who thumped contrite men, foolish enough to interfere with her family and livelihood.

A birthday box

This year, I received an unusual birthday gift of a small, possible Pandora’s box that seemed simple and innocuous with bright rainbow-like stripes against crisp, white cardboard.

Public rhetoric, private shame

This week, the story broke of California Governor Ronald Reagan calling African delegates to the United Nations, “monkeys” in a 1971 slur that sparked chuckles from President Richard Nixon.

Through the looking glass

In our family’s music collection is a well-loved classic composition by the old time Trinidadian calypsonian Mighty Spoiler about the magistrate who tries himself for speeding.

Cubes and crosses

With bits of wood and bare rubber bands, the young Hungarian Professor Ernő Rubik created a small prototype cube that went on to become the world’s most popular toy.

Beyond the absurd

French writer, Albert Camus popularised the philosophy of the absurd in his works, including the essay, “The Myth of Sisyphus,” about the cunning Greek king, condemned to a cruel fate.

The Shaggy Defense

The Mighty Sparrow offered the most creative explanations for philandering in his classic hit, “Lying excuses” putting to shame Shaggy’s steadfast denials years later, “It Wasn’t Me.”

Goat mouth and bitter fruits

Shortly after dawn, as the sun suffuses the eastern sky and temperatures start to rise, the bees arrive to forage on the bright yellow flowers crowding the wild “carille” vine.

Mahaica mists and memories

Chugging and coughing, the engine of the launch would settle into a hypnotic hum, as we journeyed up the meandering mirrors of the Mahaica River to my grandmother’s farm.

Signs of the birds

As I opened the front door, a giant hawk glided from the thorny bael tree that is a thirsty tangle of thin branches bleached bare by the harsh drought.

What dreams may come

We met in a mall bookstore. She was waiting to purchase the latest publication by Trinidadian historian and author, Angelo Bissessarsingh to add to her extensive collection.

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