Any writer of a regular column will tell you of the variety of items that you put away, intended for another day. Like today. I must tell you, before I forget, to definitely watch a post my musician friend George Jardim has posted. It’s Dire Straits’ Sultans of Swing, ukulele acoustic stuff (don’t let the word “ukulele” distract you; it is indeed “intense rhythm” coming at you non-stop. I don’t know where Jardim finds these things). It’s not long, three and a half minutes or so but check particularly around 1:30 for some real fireworks.
Also, a big up birthday shout for Ken Corsbie, hitting 90. What a legacy from Ken, first in his track star days, going back to Saints, but especially his comedic career in All Ah We, with Henry Muttoo, et al, and then Dem Two and He Wan. Ken has a secure place in the Guyana story, one that should be commemorated somewhere in Georgetown, accessible to the masses. Today as well, switching focus completely to laud the work of a man of the soil, gardening expert John Hemrup, who keeps the lawn in our yard looking trim; if you need that kind of expertise John is at 698-5035.
Also, with last Sunday being International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, a shout from my wife Annette, who chaired the National Mangrove Restoration Project in 2010 to say that whilst most Guyanese are beginning to see the important sea defence roles that mangroves play there is more to a mangrove forest than just the trees. A couple years ago, Annette had asked me to write a mangrove jingle and the piece I did generated a lot of traction with some folks referring to me in public as the Mangrove Man – a dubious title. In fact, mangrove forests sequester eight times more carbon than other forests so providing not only a national but global good that cannot be overstated. Mangrove systems and their connectivity to wetlands, rivers and the ocean provide a whole range of complementary services that would take up an entire column. I have heard her repeatedly share that the Barima Mora Passage Mangrove Forest ecosystem is the most intact in the entire country. This ecosystem has been recently adjudged by some world class scientists who carried out preliminary studies in 2019 to have all the qualities for a World Heritage Site. How wonderful it would be if Guyana, which doesn’t have a World Heritage Site, can have this be declared on in time for the 2021 Mangrove day celebrations.
Finally, and back to me, for a peek at my project focusing on our amazing Iwokrama Forest Reserve. Just some lyrics at this point, but probably a song down the road. Stay tuned.
Out there
Open sky and endless panorama
Coming in by plane, or river ride
Winding water pattern, harpies all around you
The skies so big up there for them to hide
Iwokrama, sprawling forest, reaching high and far and wide
So many creatures living in it, seamless motion, side by side
Birds and bees and sloths and turtles, high bamboo and turtle grass
All of it, in one assembly, there before you as you pass
What we use to build tomorrow’s vista Iwokrama grows it every day
Hear the big trees tumble making thunder, as the very young ones swing and sway
Pouring rains and raging thunder, lizards hiding down below
Ants and spiders run together, and now and then one one crapaud
Wallaba, green heart and mora, crabwood too and purple heart
Mighty Hubbabli rafters, up high for the kitchen part.
One million acres, dedicated, creating refuge, one nirvana
In Makushi, long time story, only one word – Iwokrama.
