Fiction and Poetry Readings: Sasenarine Persaud (1995)

Dr. Sandra Paquet of the University of Miami English Dept. introduces Guyana-born Canadian poet Sasenarine Persaud as a writer interested in Caribbeans of Indian descent. Persaud expresses thanks and remarks on his Indian garb, which he wore specially for the occasion, and reads "With Apologies for the Flavour." He explains that he was asked by his Canadian publisher to write poetry "with a West Indian flavour." Persaud then reads his poem "No Omeros on the Isles," a poem published in Calgary, Canada. (Omeros is the Greek name for Homer, author of The Iliad and The Odyssey.) He next reads poems from his novel in progress and his collection "Under the Golden Apple Tree." The section, "Euro Yogini 1," is about a former Ukrainian woman now living in Toronto and her relationship with a man; both are manipulating each other. Persaud then reads "In Ural Yogini's Unlit Room." He says it is based on the fact that "most men that I've spoken to hate nothing more than, after sex, in bed, to be pumped for information" or that women ask for the things they want done, to be done right then. Next, Persaud reads "Art Work of Kali." Kali is the Hindu mother-goddess who is often shown as having a tongue metaphorically representing both speech and sex. Persaud then reads "Not Missing Anyone Who Consumes a Bottle of Gin a Day and Packs of Cigarettes: After a Reading by Lorna Crozier." He talks disparagingly about the welfare system in Canada. Persaud reads his poems "On Becoming, Thinking: Returning to Miami," "On Pelican Bay," and "Thanksgivings for Miami Mornings," which he prefaces with remarks about Upanishadic creation mythology. Persaud then reads his long poem "From This World You Inherit" and his poem "Wandering Brahmans in America." The progralm concludes with Persaud answering questions from the audience about the Hindu gods and about writing short stories. Sandra Paquet winds up the session.