The Carnival season is here once again
And oh! How I wish it were over
For I dread hearing the deluge of filthy songs
With their accompanying vulgar behaviour.

The clean fun and enjoyment of Carnival
Is now a thing of the past
People revel in vile amusement
And hope the excesses will last.

But we must reclaim for our children
A festival clean and smut-free
Let's set a clean scene in song and in dance
A great change for all to see.

Let's leave out the smutty calypsos
That many a wrong act suggest
Let's have songs that are witty and full of clean fun
Against which no one will protest.

Our costumes are of a high standard
Dating back to historic times
But when we dress for the day, let respect lead the way
As we keep God Our Father in mind.

We chip to the sound of the steel band
And that can really be fun
But let's take great control of our bodies
As we dance and enjoy in the sun.

We boast our Carnival celebration
As the greatest of shows upon earth
But we can only lay claim to such title
When our show has a spiritual rebirth.

And when we clean up our vulgar calypsos
And the vile way we dance on the streets
We can really have a clean enjoyment
As we strive these new standards to meet.

ALTHEA GEORGE, Tobago

I fondly remember Sr Joan as, “Sister, can you help me?” “Yes” she would say, very rarely sister's voice echoed a “no”. Sr Joan embodied a spirit of joy, which was infectious.

Her spontaneous jokes, her repartees, gave you a breather for the day. She was marvellous. In her, I found a source of inspiration. She worried about us more that we about ourselves. She was energetic, very instrumental in getting things done.

Sister always took up challenges – ones that might have been insurmountable to many. Her captivating smile kept one at ease, although at time this could have signalled trouble – not trouble in a negative sense, but to get you “in line” or “on track”. Sometimes that smile kept one's anger melting away.

Her acts of charity were overwhelming. They were unsurpassed. They stand out vividly in my mind. The strumming of her guitar could be heard throughout the compound. This was one of her passions, her fascination. It gave her a measure of solace.

To her sisters Rose, Lima , her brothers Bertie and Lennox , other relatives, all is not lost. To the Carmelite fraternity you have lost a sister, a friend, an angel.

Sr Joan, may you rest in peace.

Pearl Fabien, Teahcer/Librarian, St Jude's School for Girls

Memories of You

Among the verdant hills
Carpeted with luscious greens
You revel in
Your sweet repose
You are a gem so pure
So serene
No smelted jade
Could equate
Your beautiful being
A chronicle of wit
Encase you
Like the Shakespeare
We always knew
Thoughts of you
Provoke reflections
In our minds
You are God's rare find
A monument you are
Illuminated by a myriad of stars
Gazing from afar
Your motherly love we miss
That warmth, that bliss
That feeling of calm
When you graciously gave
A helping hand
So long, so long, Sr Joan
God has called you home
Memories of you
Linger on
Linger on
As you journey
To that great beyond.