Dear Editor,
Stabroek News headline of September 7 titled, “Guyana Prize for Literature returns after six year hiatus,” reminds me that I have been numbered among those who criticized this implementation. I still stand by my views already highlighted in the media via comments from columnists.
I have on my desk before me 15 poems which I printed with a cover page titled “To Ontario with Love.” What do I do next? What can I do next in this wilderness of hopelessness for poets? If I self-published, the quality will be definitely poor for I cannot afford much and I will not solicit assistance to be mocked. Should I submit my work in unpublished format, degrading it, to be judged in relation to the Guyana Prize? How can I stoop so low as to participate in something to get gains in cash for my precious poetry written to enhance lives?
I recall the days of the existence of the History and Arts Council. That is where I had the opportunity to attend teaching sessions for writers. I recall the power of GUYFESTA when I received a Certificate of Merit for a short, short story and gained mention in the headline news of a local newspaper. I recall the BIYA publications as poems from children were published. I recall Wordsworth Mc Andrew reading two of my stories encouraging writers through radio. I must stop here.
Time dictates that my life is in its last phase and I know I will leave this life with an afterlife impression that poets and poetry have been neglected in Guyana.
Sincerely,
Krishna Nand Prasad
