Alexander McCaul Smith Archives

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
‘Cause none of them can stop the time

How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look? Ooh
Some say it’s just a part of it
We’ve got to fulfil the book

Won’t you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
Won’t you help to sing?
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery

Bob Marley – Redemption Song

April is national poetry month and this week I am looking at all things as a poet.

1. The featured photo is of a mural that I discovered on a recent walk in midtown Toronto. My new home is close to little Jamaica, the Eglinton & Oakwood area of TO, the home of roots-reggae.

That was recognized in 2015 with the opening of Reggae Lane and unveiling of this mural by Adrian Hayles featuring some of the legendary musicians who called the neighbourhood home – Leroy Sibbles of the Heptones, Jackie Mittoo (aka Donat Roy Mittoo of the Skatalites), the Cougars, Johnny Osbourne, Ernie Smith, Stranger Cole and others.

2. Alexander McCaul Smith may not be a poet laureate but he surely can put together some joyous prose. I receive his monthly newsletter and this month he shares a poem; “Spring Comes, Even This Year“.

3. I really got into the reggae, ska and rocksteady music this week and it brought me right straight around to funk. Checking out the powerful vocalizing of Michael Dunston featured here on the Rhythm Express recording of “The Ghetto”.

Michael Dunston is also the featured vocalist for the group Soul Stew. My friends at JPEC captured a great performance of the band and Michael seen here singing on “What’s Happening” and “What’s Going On” bringing back that incredible Marvin Gaye vibe.

4. National Poetry Month happens every April and this year’s focus is ‘Resilience’ and it is certainly a fitting theme. What does that mean for you? Is there a poem wanting to be released in your soul?

Poetry Foundation puts out a poem for the day, I like this days poem and will share it with you all. The poem is by Robert Hershon, entitled Superbly Situated.

I have felt the passion to put my hand to a bit of prose in gratitude for the good things that I am blessed with. What better title than ‘Gratitude‘.

5. I have started reading a book of poems by Rupi Kaur; The Sun and Her Flowers it is a deep, different, humourous and wildly popular book.

My book Samba in Brazil is still available for a limited time as part of the Illustrated Children’s Book Spring Fling promotion.

If you’re in the hunt for some fun April reading, look no further! I have joined a group of bestselling authors who have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of new books.

Thank you for sharing my week. If you are looking for a fun children’s book check out one of my books. Samba on a Snowy Day, Samba em um Dia de Neve or my new book, Samba in Brazil – Free e-book for a limited time starting April 2nd, Illustrated Children’s Book Spring Fling!

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.

Hello all! I am back from my up north adventure. Northern Ontario is really quite beautiful in the summer. I managed to go for a therapeutic swim every day, mostly during the early morning, there is nothing quite like it after a strenuous work out.

I visited an outdoor museum aptly named The Tree Museum and as fall is fast approaching, I’m planning a return visit to take in the art amongst the trees, in falls full colour spectrum.

Some things that interested me this week, and I hope will be of interest to you too.

Here are my five items, links or suggestions that should get you some inspiration.

A tree museum? Who could come up with that idea. It’s the brain child of Founder and sponsor: EJ Lightman. Curators: EJ Lightman and Anne O’Callaghan.With internet services restored I found this information at their home on the web, https://www.thetreemuseum.ca/ “An Outdoor Art Gallery of Site Specific Installations”
Along the same train of thought, nature, I have picked up on Greta Thunberg and her strike for climate change. Ms. Thunberg is a 16 year old who started a protest movement. Since December, teenagers across Germany inspired by the 16-year-old Thunberg’s climate fight have been marching weekly instead of sitting in classes. I’m all in, and looking for ways to contribute my time and effort. Greenpeace has some advice for the September 27th Strike For Climate Change here: https://www.greenpeace.org/canada
A musician who inspired me to write about music, Wayne Shorter, check out my review of one of his recent concerts https://torontomusicreport.com/featured/wayne-shorter-quartet-live-in-concert/ and another musician whom I admire for her incredible talent, Esperanza Spalding http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/ are working together to create a new opera, something that promises to be very special, http://www.octopustheatricals.com/iphigenia I must get tickets to this.
My reading continues with an author I recently discovered, Alexander McCall Smith and another series he has penned. The Sunday Philosophy Club, set in Edinburgh, Scotland and featuring the protagonist Isabel Dalhousie. I am thoroughly enjoying this book and considering a visit to Edinburgh.
Karate classes have started, I’m teaching children and adults at www.smadojo Shingikan Dojo in Maple, On. I’m also instructing children at a community centre in the city of Markham, as well as one in the town of Stouffville.

Thanks for reading. If you like what you’ve read forward this to someone you think will enjoy it.