I'm a day late with this but I want to extend condolences to the families of playwright, novelist, journalist and doyenne of dialect Jeannette Layne-Clark who passed away after a battle with cancer.
She'll always be remembered for her Pampalam plays and Lickmout Lou columns, and for keeping young journalists on their toes. The one time that that Mrs. Layne-Clark had to call me was when I went against my better judgment and used a word I wasn't clear about in a broadcast. I felt as though I was in the Principal's office but she was quite cool in the end.
May she rest in peace.
I also wish to acknowledge the passing of supermarket magnet Lionel C. Hill, who passed away recently. Hill was quite a character...how many octogenarian supermarket directors do you know who would go on an all night stakeout to recover stolen pigtails?
Rest well, Lionel C. Hill.
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I like your blog.
ReplyDeleteI like Barbados.
Portugal
Every week we discussed her writings and during the season, enjoyed her presentations on radio and stage. She helped spread the acceptance of Bajan as a language while at the same time ensuring that we don’t corrupt other languages. I believe we are better off for her constant criticisms of our radio and television personalities and indeed the writers in the local newspapers. But even as we say good-bye to her, Bajans may miss her character as Lickmout Lou, perhaps even more
ReplyDeleteLickmout Lou Died Too
Like Bajans at home and Bajans overseas
I will treasure the colorful memories
Cherish the writings of this literary great
Keep aware of language she said so many desecrate
My thoughts are for journalists and broadcasters too
Orator geniuses and any acting guru
Undiscovered writers who looked up to her
The lasses who learnt etiquette and lads who’d concur
Lord, I gave my sympathy to her friends and family
Only, they are my neighbors, but they don’t know me
Unfeigned feelings to them, for we all shared
Drama in her works and we mutually cared
I believe we are the better to have known Mrs. Layne-Clark
Enriched by her abilities and bolder of heart
Deliberately she would criticize if some would slip
This Island is much better off for her literary whip
One farewell to Jeanette Layne-Clark, I bid her adieu
Only, I extend another, for Lickmout Lou died too
An Acrostic Poem in Tribute to Jeanette Layne-Clark fromThe Bajan Poetry Society