Since the volcano first erupted in July of 1995, the Montserratian society was left in disarray. Many were displaced from their homes because they were evacuated to safer areas. Many left the island in order to start new lives. For those who opted to stay on the island, evacuation shelters were established in churches, schools, hospitals- essentially any place available. Often times, many families were crammed into a small room, living with complete strangers. The children were deeply impacted in the sense that they had been uprooted from their homes and left to deal with living their “private” life in front of strangers.
In order to help the children deal with such uncertainty and trauma, teachers encouraged their students to write poetry about the volcano and how they felt about it. This activity would serve as an outlet for frustration and emotions. The children were able to deal with their individual trauma poetically. When reading the few books of children’s poetry published locally, there is a wealth of knowledge and insight hidden behind those simple verses.
Books have been published that contain literature, mainly poetry, that children from Montserrat have written. These books are: “Out of the Mouths of Babes” and “The Voices of Our Children”. Some children’s poetry has been published in books written by Sir Howard A. Fergus, such as “Eruption: Montserrat versus Volcano”.
Below are a sample of children’s poetry published in “Out of the Mouths of Babes” by the Kinsale Primary School.
Volcano Trouble
by Deborah Dyett
The volcano rumble
The people a tremble
Every-day we getting earth-quake
And so de people and de house just a shake
Me hear people a talk bout
Poison gas a come out
So it lek awe nar get no ash
But steam and poison gas
But me nar really worry me head
Cause all of this might mek me drop dead
So the volcano better try e best
And please go back to rest
In de mean time we holding on
To God’s unchanging hand
A Talk with the Volcano
by Maria Silcott
Volcano! Volcano!
Why do you keep erupting?
”
I cannot help it
It’s all part of nature”
Well you have to stop blowing
One of these days
Because I cannot take
North with it’s mosquitoes
“Well why don’t you stay at home?”
I cannot stay at home volcano
”
Just why can’t you stay at home?”
Because I cannot take your
Stinking sulfur and dirty ash
”
Do not insult me like this
Because I can’t stop nature.”
But you can stop yourself
From blowing, can’t you?
”
Well I guess so…
But when i don’t want to blow I sorrow
And when I wish to remind you that I am here
I shake a little and let off some steam
And ash and create mud flow
Just for you.”
Well you have to stop blowing volcano
Because I do not want to
Move from Kinsale Primary School
And I want to learn.
“Well dear, I am part of nature
And it is now my time to play
A little game with you.”
But volcano, why can’t you go back to sleep?
So that I can live normally again.
Therefore Mr Volcano in the Soufriere Hills
Go back to sleep.
“Easy to say child, but i’m out
And here to stay awhile
So remember me, everytime you see
The mountains and smell sulfur
So when I shake and rumble
And let off a little ash and steam
It is because I am laughing
And I’m enjoying myself.”
Eruption: Monserrat vs Volcano Out of the Mouths of Babes
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