St. Martin’s Lasana M. Sekou was the featured author of the literary recital at Paradise Cove Resort in Anguilla last Friday. An audience of between 40 and 50 people, including visitors to the island, attended the reading and book signing for Sekou’s new books Nativity and Pelican Heart.
While introducing the poet, literary critic and educator Rita Celestine-Carty said that Sekou’s work "stand as a celebration not only of St. Maarten, not only of this region whose worth is woven in the tapestry of his words, but as a celebration of humankind and our common bonds…" Sekou also read from earlier titles such as The Salt Reaper and 37 Poems. Cultural organizer Ijahnya Christian said that the author made her feel that she was at a cockfight during his dramatic reading from his short story collection Brotherhood of the Spurs (she has never been to a cockfight). Triple Crown Culture Yard and Ultimacy Writers Retreat, in collaboration with House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP), organized this third in a series of "literary salons," said Reginald Oliver of Ultimacy. Nativity and Pelican Heart were released here in mid-2010, said Jacqueline Sample, president of HNP, publisher of both books.
In photo (L-R): Stephanie Stokes Oliver, author, executive director of Ultimacy Villa Retreat in Anguilla; Lasana M. Sekou; and Rita Celestine-Carty, literary critic, educator.