Christmas gifts, image by Yevhen Buzuk, on Pixabay, modified
Christmas at Home
by Roodly Laurore (translated by Jerrice J. Baptiste)
At the lintel of each door
Beacons lit are installed
Announcing the arrival of Christmas.
Bottles of Crémasse at the foot of a Christmas tree
Displayed in a room, around the wrapped gifts.
And, Creole pâtés after midnight mass.
A stew of goat's head on New Year's Eve,
A dish decorated with fried plantains, pic lisse,
Pork griots and alcohol for drinkers.
Only under the Haitian sky
Rich or poor, joy shines in their eyes
Exciting time, symbol of reconciliation.
Stores with decorated goods, light shows
Engulf lovers who walk
Observing children's glowing paper stars
As they come and go through the streets.
Little ones go to bed very early in the evening
Hoping for a present from Santa
When they wake up.
Festivities loved by all
Even in times of acute insecurity
A truce is observed to facilitate
The celebrations.
*
Noël de Chez Nous
Au linteau de chaque porte
S'installent des fanaux allumés
Annonçant l'arrivée de la Noël.
Des bouteilles de crémasse au pied d'un arbre de Noël
Exposés dans une salle, autour des cadeaux emballés.
Et, des pâtés créoles après la messe de minuit.
Un brouillon de tête de cabrits au réveillon,
Un plat orné de bananes pesés, de pic lisse,
Griots de porc et de l'alcool pour les buveurs.
Seulement sous le ciel d'Haïti
Riches ou pauvres, la joie brille dans leurs yeux
Période passionnante, symbole de réconciliation.
Les magasins biens décorés, jeux de lumières
Convoitent les amoureux qui se promènent
Observant les puits d'étoiles des enfants
Dans leur va et vient à travers les rues.
Les tous petits se couchent de très tôt le soir
Espérant un cadeau de père Noël au réveil.
Festivités adorées de tous
Même en période d'insécurité aiguë
Une trêve est observée pour faciliter les réjouissances.
Roodly Laurore is an engineer and poet. His poems are published or forthcoming in Spirit Fire Review, Taos Journal of Poetry, Kosmos Journal, Autism Parenting Magazine, Solstice Literary Magazine, The New Verse News, Synchronized Chaos, Jerry Jazz Musician, and others. Roodly loves the art of writing poetry in French and Haitian Creole.
Jerrice J. Baptiste is an author of eight books. She is extensively published in journals and magazines such
as Artemis Journal, The Yale Review, Mantis, Kosmos Journal, and many others. Jerrice was nominated for
Best of the Net by Blue Stem in 2022. She enjoys
playing the role of translator.
(December 2023 issue)
A glimpse into the celebration of Christmas in Haiti.