By Christine Jean-Pierre
CSMS Magazine Staff Writer
It sounds as if one embarks upon an infinite voyage while listening to Jeanie’s latest œuvre: Dènye Rèl (The last cry). Yes, Jeanie’s latest release is a collection of poetry put together in a compact disc, where the poetess herself uses her sensualist vocal to tell her fans about the free wheeling sensation that love entails, and how a dovish cry can easily turn into a sorrowful shriek. Dènye Rèl emphatically confirms Jeanie’s multiple talents, although she has already done so in Tan Lapli—an other collection of poetry released two years ago by Canada-based poet Frantz Benjamin with whom Jeanie collaborated beautifully.
As in most of Jeanie’s works, love is at the center of Dènye Rèl—amour chevalresque that only heart-wrenching lovers can awesomely bear. Sa nou vle, the first track, is a poetic twinge between two elusive lovers determined to intertwine their minds, bodies and souls until they reach crimson splendor, despite social contradictions that continue to engulf them.
Of course, a Haitian poet or an artist, for that matter, can ill afford to publish without acknowledging the plight of his or her fellow countrymen. In Vini Komè, Jeanie uses metaphoric languages to romanticize social justice.
Renowned poet, André Fouad and popular folk singer, John Steve Brunache, collaborate with Jeanie. Brunache’s truly adds an interesting element to this CD in track 4 titled Twobadou, where his acoustic guitar is used to guide the intermingling of social plight and love. Here, Brunache brings his progressive skills stemmed from the revolutionary era of the 1980s, an unforgettable period that most patriotic Haitians long for.
Jeanie, despite her international status, can’t seem to liberate herself from her regionalist sentiments. Born in Les Cayes, this beautiful Haitian city nestled on Caribbean coast has always been the inspiration of many poets and artists. That’s precisely what the poetess wants to convey in Kado Nowèl, dedicated to her Cayenne fans at home and abroad.
Creolophone poets like Jeanie Bogart, through their works, help advance the cause of unifying the different variances that exist in the grand Creole family—from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean. Each pertinent work published in Creole helps ease a little the Caribbean Creolophone dilemma. Jeanie is following the footsteps of her predecessors like Franketienne, Morisseau Leroy, although earlier works published in Creole were politically charged—crafted under a genuine militancy designed to change the status quo.
This latest release is a special treat to all poetry lovers. It is also a holiday present, a dazzling alternative to anyone who would want something unique and highly valuable under the Christmas tree.
Also see: Un Jour Tes Pantoufles: An intriguing collection of poetry
Your blog is so informative ¡ keep up the good work!!!!