pavane for a princesse
Everyone called her Princesse because she was one: a true Haitian Princess. A courageous beauty with a sharp mind and an easy laugh who loved to dance and write poetry. She had been preparing to read her last poem “Acquaintance” at a poetry reading this coming Thursday when she was brutally murdered. She was only seventeen.
Remember her name: Samantha Princesse Revelus. Repeat it to others. Share her poem. Make her live forever.
ACQUAINTANCE
If by any chance you see that lady
With the round face,
Wide nose,
Deep brown eyes
Hair like wires curled up in a bun.
Pay close attention to her.
Notice her allure as she goes.
Simply, catch her attention before she knows.
Before any men cajole her with unreal vows.
If by any means you would want to identify her,
Speak of her not just as a woman of color,
But as a Creole marabou you won’t find around any corner.
If you would want to own her,
Show her your world in one dimension,
Teach her your method,
Arise from all lies and weak frauds.
Keep her high above,
Embrace with all your attention,
Not to mention your love and affection.
If not yet done,
Then love is worthless
And time will leave you heartless.
For she brings with her nothing but desires,
A home to welcome love and peace,
Which the heart requires.
Ignorant souls travel through her life,
With mud under their feet,
And thorns inducing cries of defeat.
But not one of them,
Not a single one of the filthy souls thought of
Reviving her.
So what lousy wind brought you here?
What values of you offer?
She’s a woman,
A queen,
A goddess,
Don’t treat her like any other.
Police shaken by Milton massacre
/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1162092
Samantha Revelus had beauty & brains
/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1162090
Brother kills two sisters in Milton
/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1162062
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Michèle Voltaire Marcelin is a poet/writer, performer and painter who was born and raised in Haiti, sojourned in Chile, and currently lives in the United States. The publication of her first novel “La Désenchantée” (CIDIHCA, Montréal-2006) was followed by its Spanish translation “La Desencantada” and two other books of poetry and prose: “Lost and Found” and “Amours et Bagatelles” (CIDIHCA, Montréal-2009) - translated into Spanish by Editorial ALBA as "Amores y cosas sin importancia" - all of which garnered rave reviews. Her writings are also featured in 3 anthologies published in France: "Cahier Haiti" (published by RAL'M-2009), "Terre de Femmes" (Editions Bruno Doucey-2011) "Revue Intranqu'îllités" (2012). She speaks and writes fluently French, English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. She has a BFA from the Leonard Davis Center for the Performing Arts at CUNY and a Masters from The New School for Social Research.
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