First Rain

The journey from a complex family and social life in Jamaica to a search for wholeness in America is captured in this inspiring collection. The solidarity of Jamaicans and the island's nuanced class structure are placed alongside a picture of isolation for Caribbean migrants in America and the perilsdrugs, violence, and a discriminatory legal systemthat they face. Using memories, family lore, and imagination as inspiration, the work alternates between anger and joy but maintains a determined resilience throughout.

Donna Weir-Soley teaches at Florida International University.

Roots	p. 13
Bush magic	p. 14
Teresa Matilda McCalla McCalla	p. 15
Grandpa Knollis	p. 20
Story for Mama Daisy	p. 23
Spirit and sole	p. 26
Ogun	p. 28
Outside child	p. 32
Growing up	p. 34
Mango season	p. 35
'Oman a silk cotton tree	p. 38
Leaving	p. 41
Criolla de dis/possessed	p. 42
Confessions of a restavec	p. 44
Hallelujah in the middle	p. 49
Migratory patterns	p. 51
Dis man's country	p. 53
Dead lef dutty tough	p. 56
Climbing	p. 58
Snapshots, headlines and clippings	p. 59
A sistah needs love and other weapons	p. 64
Relativity	p. 66
Punked	p. 67
The unspeakable	p. 69
On the down low	p. 71
Salsa reggae jazz blues	p. 72
Accidentally on purpose	p. 74
Chenjerai	p. 76
Love Iyah	p. 78
An on-going conversation	p. 79
South Florida shower	p. 81
Elegua	p. 85
Misunderstanding (or feminism is really very simple)	p. 87
Jigsaw noose	p. 88
Wrong or right, I choose	p. 89
A Trinidadian Sanke (for my rebel youth)	p. 90
Ronke tells me	p. 91
A counter prayer to Mawu	p. 92
Night blooming jasmines and wild sage	p. 94
Gate keeper	p. 97
Mama water	p. 98
Faith works	p. 99
The blessing	p. 101
Is a ting only a deep belly bawl could express	p. 102
Call her Nana Buuku	p. 104
Omo Anyan	p. 108
Good keeps	p. 110
First rain	p. 112
Against all laws	p. 113
Rain man	p. 114
Come in	p. 117
Callaloo for Audre	p. 118
Chatter-box	p. 119
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials