Location: Brooklyn, New York, NY
Originally from: San Fernando, Trinidad
Contact: rarmar7@aol.com, http://myspace.com/basiyb
Artistic Discipline: Poetry
Creative Interests: Publishing, DJ, Soccer
Short Stories: "Skin Deep", "Miss Trinidad", "Falling Apart", "My Prayer"

More from Marlon...
I was born and raised in the beautiful twin island of Trinidad & Tobago. Growing up in a single parent household I was most influenced by my mother. I found writing to be very theraputic and began writing at an early age. My passion for writing was spurred by a genuine love for reading. As a young boy the "Hardy Boy," & "Nancy Drew" novels were among my favorites. I quickly discovered some fascinating writers such as Hemmingway, Woodsworth, Angelo and others and my imagination went wild.

It wasn't until I started attending college that I really began taking the art of writing seriously and began exploring ways to express myself (speech and acting etc). My almer mater "Naparima College" gave me a platform to do just that. I was always nominated, (reluctantly at times) to enter the speech and oration contests that were often held there. Today I am thankful for those experiences since they helped to mould me creatively. Thanks to the staff at Naps, Mr. Ralph Mahraj especially, for allowing a young man to dream big dreams.

Advice to aspiring poets
If you are considering a career in poetry or any form of writing the best advice I can give is simply to follow your dreams and don't allow anyone to discourage you. Everyone has a vision or a story to tell and no one can express what you have inside, except you. Write EVERYTHING down, no matter how trivial or insignificant it may seem at the time. Some of my best pieces began with a single line I scribbled down on a piece of paper while travelling or doing something other than writing. Keep a journal with you at all times because you never know when you will be  inspired. Try to find a local poetry club in your town or an establishment that has an 'open mic' night so you can develop your skill of delivering before a crowd. If there are no poetry groups, start one. You CAN !! Believe in yourself and others will believe in you as well. 'From possibility to actuality.'
sincerely, Marlon

Awards & Achievements
I have recieved a few awards at various schools and for different performances. I am extremely proud of them all. I was also awarded first prize in a radio poetry contest hosted by WLIB 1190 A.M, New York. One of of my pieces was published in TIME MAGAZINE as a result of a chance encounter with one of the editors. While I am proud of everything I have accomplished I look foward to having my first book published and sharing my thoughts with the world.

Skin Deep

If I could change the entire world with just a single wish
I'd wish to end racism and abolish prejudice
For I think there's nothing worse today plagueing humanity
Than the fact the different shades we possess prevent our unity
How can one man look at another and know nothing about him
And hate him to the bone just because of his tone of skin
If a man is good, he's good no matter if he's white or black
If he's evil, then he's evil, his race doesn't change that fact
It stinks to think that racism can really still exist
After the slave trade ships and genocides and Schindler's twisted list
I'm not saying we should hold hands, skipping to a happy song
But let's end all this foolish hatred just so we could get along
Why hate a man if you don't know his race or understand what hes about
It is nonsensical, unethical, it is a cowardice easy way out
I wish that all mankind could just wake up and realize
And try to love a little more, until racism dies.

Miss Trinidad

Trini, girl I love you and we know the plan
was to make a lil' money in big Uncle Sam,
But dis place have me tie up, yuh know how things go,
but I still love you Trini and ah miss you for so
Ah miss hot Ali's doubles, with good mango anchar
Ah miss 'Turn of the tide' and 'Mastana Bahar'
Ah miss 'Scouting for Talent' and Bata for shoes
And reaching home just in time for Panorama News
Buying souse and chip-chip water by the 'Round-a-bout,
Drinking Carib and Stag and Green Sands and Stout
I used to go by Royal Castle for my chicken and chips,
Then head straight to Maracas beach just to take a 'lil dip
Watching dem boys play football in the sand
While keeping an eye out for the bake and shark man
High street in San Fernando, Port of Spain, Frederick street
Getting darker by the minute in the sweet Trini heat
Ah miss 'morning neighbour' and 'fine, how-d-do'
Doh' worry Tobago, because yuh boy miss you too
Yes Trini girl ah love yuh and ah miss yuh too bad
I'll be home soon my darling, sugar plum, Trinidad.

Falling Apart

It breaks my heart to see the place we're in from where we came
Seems like just the other day I said "Hey cutie what's your name?"
We never used to argue, what the hell happened to us
Now we can't have a conversation, lately all you do is cuss
used to see each other all the time, I even saw you in my dreams
Now I wake up and I see your face and I want to fucking scream
I was free to come to you with my problems, my cares and my concerns
Now you're like "so what, mother fucker I got problems of my own"
Yesterday I watched you sleeping and a tear came to my eye
Because here we are falling apart and I still don't know why
Some say it starts with the little things that we don't often see
Like forgetting to say 'I love you' or, 'how was your day, honey?'
I used to buy you flowers all the time, maybe I should go back there
And do the little things I did before to show you that I care
Maybe you should kiss and caress me more, the way you used to do
And tell me every now and then just how much I mean to you
I know that we can make this work, I feel it in my heart
Let's work on falling back in love, so we won't fall apart.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for waking me up
And giving me strength today
Send angels to guide and protect
Me Lord, as I go on my way
And bless all of my family
And all of my friends too
Help all lost souls within this
World to know your love is true
Lord, you helped the lame to walk
You made the blind to see
So when I'm weak or lack
Vision, please do the same for me
Father, bless even mine enemies
Help them to know your peace
Guide our teachers and our leaders
May the wars and rumors cease
You promised never to forsake me
And all my needs supply
To fill my cup to overflow
And my basket, multiply
I praise your name and I thank
You, Lord, from the rising of the sun
And in all things Lord not my own
Will but let your will be done
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