Haiti’s Hell  

Yelling is heard everywhere.

Policeman dying,

bandits create the law.

In every corner

of each street burns fire.

Woman is crying,

belly in knot, tight as a rope.

Her husband has left four children

“What will I do, my life is over?”

She says with tears in her eyes. 

Author/ Roodly Laurore 

Translator/ Jerrice J. Baptiste

 __________________________

Ayiti Lanfè

Toupatou se rèl.

Polisye ap mouri,

bandi fè lalwa.

Nan chak kwen ri se dife.

Madamn ap kriye,

kòd.mare vant.

Mari l kite kat pitit

“Kisa mwen pral fè, lavi mwen fini,”

li di ak dlo nan je.

~Roodly Laurore

______________________

Volcano

 A volcano exists in every Haitian.

When will it all erupt?

Fight for my precious country.

Dormant volcano,

Your daughter sleeps near garbage.

Tears, not enough.

An explosion of red heat needed.

What to do?

Country stands without a president.

Author/ Roodly Laurore 

Translator/ Jerrice J. Baptiste

_____________________

Volkan

Gen yon volkan nan chak ayisyen

Nap gade ki le nou tout ap eropte

Batay pou yon peyi presie.

Volkan doman

Pitit fi ou ap domi pre fatra

Dlo nan zye pa sufi.

Yon explozysion ak chale roug

Ki sa poun fe?

Peyi a kanpe san prezidan.

 ~Roodly Laurore 

Roodly Laurore was born and raised in Haiti. He is an engineer and poet. His poems are published in Kosmos Journal, Autism Parenting Magazine; Solstice Literary Magazine, The New Verse News, Jerry Jazz Musician and others.  Roodly lives in Haiti with his wife and two sons.

Jerrice J. Baptiste is an author of eight books and a poet in residence at the Prattsville Art Center & Residency in NY.  She is extensively published in journals and magazines such as Artemis Journal, The Yale Review, Mantis, Kosmos Journal, The New Verse News and many others.  She has been nominated as Best of The Net by Blue Stem for 2022. She enjoys playing the role of translator.