Psalm for Kingston

by Shara McCallum (b. 1972)


Text of the poem can be found here.

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And here is Shara McCallum reading "Psalm for Kingston," with a brief introduction.





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Things to think about:

This poem contains a lot of descriptions and phrases about the poet's early life in Kingston, Jamaica. Some of the proper names (Jack Mandora) might not be familiar; others (Bob Marley) probably will be!

There is a lot going on in this poem. I'd invite you to simply sit back and listen (or read), and take as much of it in as you can. Ask yourself: Would you like to live in Kingston? Are there good things or bad things going on in the city? Is it a calm place or a lively place? Is there friendliness or hostility, peace or menace, maybe all of the above?