Written piece
I am not Cassandra
Heather Thompson
Bahamas
About this piece
The poem speaks for itself. It explores the feeling of living without very much control over one's destiny and yet there is resilience, as exemplified in the use of the local vernacular in verses two and three. I bring a "thread" of memory, survival and the search for autonomy.
I am not Cassandra
I am not Cassandra
World War III
cannot be inevitable
surely, the powers that be
can see
the danger lurking
better than me, on my island?
I cannot be Cassandra
I am not Cassandra,
on my island
health care- for some- nonexistent
gas price - too high
food for many- inaccessible,
the tide -rising
when this war comes;
survival
well-nigh impossible
I cannot be Cassandra
I am not Cassandra
globalization works
for as long as it does,
On my island:
slavery done
colonialism finish
but dependence, it thrives
I cannot be Cassandra
I am not Cassandra
so, on my island
I am seeking the solace of the sea
I cannot live as Cassandra