First year CAPE student Beyonca Makayda Clarke writes poetry in which she targets social and trending issues, some of which she has personally experienced and conquered. She hopes that through her inspirational pieces she can make a positive impact in the world.
The aspiring psychologist/ social worker who hails from Linden began making her poetry public following an inspirational youth forum hosted in Linden by the Guyana Poetry Organization last year. Up until then whatever she wrote had been a secret.
Beyonca is the elder of two girls who grew up in a single parent home. For the first part of her life, she and her family lived in Silvertown, Wismar before moving to Mackenzie during her early teenage years. It was not the easiest life, the teen said, with her mother working very hard to take care of her and her sister and she was determined to make the most of whatever opportunities came her way. An athlete, she dabbled in a bit of singing and dancing, but athletics was her strong point and provided her a sense of calm and motivation. A sprinter, she ran the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4×100 meters.
A student at the Bishops’ High School from first form, Beyonca travels by bus every day from the mining town to school and back. Though this is a tiring commute, she does not mind it at all, if it means that at the end of it, she is able to make a difference in society. Beyonca joined the Art Club at school and got involved in singing, dancing, and a bit of drama. These would set the stage for later taking up the arts.
Just a little over a year after she started at Bishops, life took a tragic turn when her beloved grandfather passed on. It was one of the most devastating experiences of her life and it was this that led to her putting her feelings down on paper. Writing was the avenue to express her pain.
“He was always supportive, no matter what I wanted to do. If I said I was going to write a book, he would say ‘Yes!’ … I didn’t know how to express what I was feeling after he passed away, writing helped me do that,” she said of her late grandfather.
About two years later, she and the other students of her third form English Literature class were tasked with creating their own poems titled ‘The Mirror’. It was then that Beyonca realized her potential and began writing even more. Then last year, she was inspired to share her pieces with the public.
“Last year, I met Leon Labastide [fellow Lindener and author of Pink Cover] at a youth forum he hosted in Linden. While I was there, I was listening to Leon perform. His poem touched me. I realized that my pieces could inspire others too, maybe not everyone but someone and that [propelled] me to keep writing,” she said.
To date, Beyonca has completed some 25 poems. Most of pieces speak to social issues, and of teenagers dealing with depression and anxiety. Beyonca has only once performed live. This was early last year for a school event. She also uploaded two videos of her performing to the Guyana Poetry Organization Facebook and Instagram pages. Given her recent recognition, the teen was booked to perform at several events in her hometown, but the recent pandemic has stalled these.
Her last poem, ‘Black is Powerful’, was completed a little over a week ago. “I wrote that piece with intention of sending praise to my African brothers and sisters because of all that’s happening in and around Guyana. We need to love ourselves, our true selves,” the poet stated.
Reflecting on how the art has bettered her as an individual, Beyonca said, “Poetry has helped me to see a lot of situations differently. It helped me to be patient and to think positive. I could be in a negative situation, but I could make it positive and empowering through my poetry,” she said.
In Guyana, however, there is not much promotion of the art. Poets, she noted, find it difficult to get their pieces recognized especially because of the lack of promotion it and a dearth of interest from the Guyanese people.
She hopes that her future studies of psychology and social work can better help her to understand the way minds work and prepare her to deal with people. This skill, she believes, will be an asset in her poetry allowing her to produce pieces that are more relatable for her readers or listeners. Not only will she be able to empathize on significant matters but Beyonca hopes that for those unable to share their stories, their views, and the way they feel can be expressed through her writing.
Her biggest supporters, she shared, are Labastide and 2020 Junior Calypso Monarch Omaiah Hall. Of the latter, she said, “She has helped me a lot when it comes to being in the public and putting my work out there.”
In fact, putting her work out there was not only something new for friends and relatives but for her mother as well. It was not until she posted to the Guyana Poetry Association page that her mother saw a video of her performing. Though she was surprised, she was also very proud. Beyonca overheard her saying, ‘Hmmm, my daughter is a poet,’, a phrase that left her smiling.
On the list of people who inspire her is a close friend, Ariella Lewis, also a CAPE student at the Bishops’ High, who is studying business while Beyonca is pursuing art. According to Beyonca, Ariella has always been encouraging her to keep writing.
“Poetry is my comfort, my peace, my expression. It’s how I let the world know what is going on in my head. The more I write, the more I discover more about myself, more about people and more about life,” the teen shared.
She wishes for the ministries of Education and Culture to put more of an emphasis on the arts so that children and adults can be more informed and thereby, more involved, which she is certain will grow and become beneficial not only for artists like herself but for Guyana on a whole.
She hopes that someday in the near future she can host regional youth forums where talented persons like herself can become more engaged in the arts and be provided the exposure they need.
On a lighter note, when she is not caught up with schoolwork, Beyonca spends her free time writing or getting her much-needed rest. Her hobbies are writing and singing any genre of song.
A Cancer, the young woman will celebrate her 18th birthday come Monday.
Her favourite colour is purple. Beyonca does not have a pet, but she loves turtles and hopes to have one or a pair of them someday.
She can be followed on Instagram @ma._.kayda
Black Is Powerful
My black kings
It’s okay to be scared
It’s okay to rest your head on my shoulder
and say “I AM NOT OKAY”
It’s okay to take a break.
My black Queens
You are good enough
For a minute let’s ignore these dumb
Stereotypes claiming that all we do is
scream and cuss
Let’s admire your strength,
Your resilience
Your ability to shine even though the world is against us.
Black is powerful
Black is stunning
So model your blackness with pride
And as the sun shines upon your skin-
Revealing your beautiful melanin
Take a minute to remember your worth.
For black is bold
Black is strong
Black is excellence.
