Teesta Review: A
Journal of Poetry, Volume 8, Number 2. November 2025. ISSN: 2581-7094
Jamaica’s Mercy
--- Louisa Calio
In the aftermath of hurricane Melissa Oct. 28, 2025
the
first known category 6 in history.
“Who feels it, knows it, Lord ” Bob Marley
Dawn here feels like the first
birthing of light
Sunlight hits more directly
and rain falls more powerfully,
High tones and contrast
characterize a land once known
as the land of wood and water
home to the ancient Arawak and
Tanio people.
The day's loud talking sunshine
bares the earth
In all her naked splendor
Pure innocence, her true
revelation,
the mysteries of color, the
magic of faerie realms
exposed in a golden aura,
yellow glow of sunshine makes a
kaleidoscope of colors,
pinks, purples, orange, peach,
lavenders
and all those luscious greens
A Kiss of Red Hibiscus brings
in a dewy play
Pure delight each morning
we awaken to insects, birds,
flowers, life
gifts of nature we humans often
make light of
when something has become
familiar.
Until the day the dark black
clouds gathered
merging with a sea, too warm
even for the Caribbean
Pulsating heat shaped into
thick funnel clouds
so broad, wide and terrifying
they cover the whole island
like a shroud while fierce
winds strike tornado like,
relentlessly, pounding day
after day
And the people who contributed
little
to creating these conditions,
denied by the powers that be,
Global warming, a Warning
So foul and fatal are crushed
with everything
Drowning us in mud and
silt.
Yet, when this fury passes
Her Green Majesty returns to
consistently and benevolently
bestow her graces, treasures,
daily pleasures:
turquoise seas and colorful
skies, emerald waters,
flowing rivers, caves and
mountains
abundant flora and fauna, pale
pink sands
and brown trees, so thick .wide
and full
some bearing fruits, filling us
with her generous offerings
the palms, like the upward
thrusting arms
reach out welcoming us once
again
to this Forgiving Landscape.
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| Fig.1 Blue on Blue |
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| Fig. 2 Dark Clouds Gather |
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| Fig. 3 Green Lovely Hills |
Dark Angel of Doctor’s
Cave Beach
(Montego Bay Jamaica,)
--- Louisa
Calio
Today I watch the lifeguard from Doctor’s Cave Beach
wearing a red swim suit, black bandanna, gold chain
and a gold tooth
Protectively escort two elderly women from New York
across a dangerous street to the beach.
One is blind, slim and very slow now.
Her beloved friend, a retired Professor
has not abandoned her, despite failing health
She walks briskly along the shoreline
while the lifeguard carefully and patiently
walks beside her lumbering friend.
Each morning they make their way from sand to sea.
Each morning he holds the waist of the old blind
woman tenderly
as she wades out into the warm, gentle waters
of the blue green Caribbean, a fading memory.
Bravely she let’s go into the dark
trusting, trusting as she must
the man with strong arms she cannot see.
Surrendering to the deep
she swims far from the shoreline
perhaps making a preparatory ritual
for the final journey that approaches.
Each winter the women return.
Each winter he guides them
The Dark Angel of Doctor’s Cave Beach.
(Louisa Calio from the manuscript A
Passion for Jamaica)
Fig. 4 Peregrine Falcon Friendship
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Bio:
Louisa Calio
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