From Drought to Providence

I was asked to make a brief presentation at the launching of David Ricardo Nedd’s book from Drought to Providence. David Ricardo Nedd aka “Ricky”, is best identified as an individual washing vehicles around Kingstown and its outskirts. I had been acquainted with ‘Ricky’ for about two and a half years but knew little about him. He informed me that he was writing a book of poems. It was only on the completion of his book and interviews he held with the media that I realised that Ricky was once a drug addict and moreover was the nephew of Calypsonian Professor. I gladly accepted the request to make a presentation at the launching of his book.

Ricky was involved in two journeys: from drug addict to author and from DROUGHT TO PROVIDENCE, which is really what his book of poems is about. We normally associate drought with the absence of rain, but drought is about the prolonged absence of something. Providence is a relationship with a deity, with God. So, his book is a journey to Providence. He says at the beginning that some of the poems had individual inspiration. Ricky wrote GCE O’ Level in English while he was on drugs and 5 CXC subjects after his rehabilitation. The 45 poems that make up the book were written at different times. Unfortunately, the poems were not dated, since it would have been good to know which ones were written while he was on drugs and his pattern of thinking as he moved from drugs to Providence. One of the poems in the book is on Hurricane Tomas. We can at least date this poem since hurricane Tomas struck us in 2010.

Ricky praises God for bringing about the change in his life. He was still on drugs when he accepted Christ but made the point to an interviewer that when one accepts Christ all your sins do not disappear immediately. You must build that faith which he has now done and has never turned back since 2008 when he kicked his addiction. Strengthened by his faith, he highlighted ‘writing’ for serving as therapy which helped in his escape. In an interview, he stated, “…when someone begins to write they will learn about themselves; it helps to develop you as a person and to learn the purpose of what you are doing ….“ Writing was thus a part of his cleansing process. His journey, his experience he wants to use to be a voice for those who are suffering from drug addiction. For him God remains first in all he does, and one can see that emphasis in many of his poems.

CONSCIOUS – “In the building of Christian Character there is never the absence of crisis … Man fights against an unseen force and without faith, he can never win. He must be empowered by the Holy Ghost …”

THIS IS MY YEAR – “Now know what it is to reach out and care/ Not against sinners but must deal with sin … God remains first in all I do …“.

PATIENCE – “When we allow God to lead/sometimes there’ll be a test of faith … Many times, the demand is immediate/And we would question when there is delay/ But there is always a mandate/God works in his time and way …”.

There are poems in which the subject becomes the author- NIGHT “Beware! I’m dark, Deceptive, Dangerous/

I have seen the taxi driver/Carrying criminals here and there;/ Now that increasing crime is the rumour/He has proof of being elsewhere/

Encouragement and silence to the industrious/I offer peaceful company. That diligent student must place first/After spending time with me …”.

WE CARIBBEAN – This captures the essence of the Caribbean.

“Gold, oil, Kaiteur Falls, Sand, Sun and Sea/ I am Tourism, agriculture, bauxite and industry/Brass, string, steel band, and bamboo melody/mixture of colour, culture, dishes, welcome to me!

We have a weakness for bat, ball and party/Cricketers use this to bring us together/Be it in barbershop, radio, stadium, cellular or TV/Thrice in one year, the world felt our power …“. He mentions characters such as Usain Bolt, Shelley-Ann Fraser Pryce, Kirani James, Miss World Jennifer Hostein, Derek Walcott and Frankie McIntosh.

There are three poems on mothers.

FOR MOTHERS – “The potential mother in every woman/is not limited by a fruitless womb/How often was a child in need of affection- housed by another when their mother closed the room/Every woman has a womb/And every child needs love ….”

THE EVIL WOMAN – “She is a practising saint in the day/And the devil’s mistress at nights/Who has corrupted the Christian way/Embracing wrongs instead of right …“

THE LOVING MOTHER – “She the mother of each man/Has shared her culture and values/After carrying her off-springs for nine months strong/She teaches the importance of right and wrong/

She instils confidence, self-esteem and provides protection/She is a beaming light for the family” (Really woman as a culture bearer)

There are other beautifully crafted poems, Among them, CORONA, THE GRAVE DIGGERS, THE STALKER. The classic for me is MY POEM: “Here I am/ With nothing to write;/But, who can say/That, I am writing nothing … “After saying he had nothing to write and letting you into his trend of thoughts he ends “However, I am he/With the paper and pen, /Who’s happy/That you’ve read/ My poem” He had nothing to write but he captures your attention and gets you to be part of the making of his poem.

I must congratulate Ricky on his journeys. This is his first book and I see tremendous potential. Keep on writing Ricky!

•  Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian