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Three Dreams from Haiti
With the recent unrest and political upheaval in Haiti, we are seldom reminded that this country was the first in the Americas to abolish slavery. It has a rich tradition of magical realistic art and once bore the name “The Pearl of the Antilles”. Toussaint L’Ouverture is considered father of modern Haiti. In the 1790’s he lead the fight for freedom from France and from slavery. The year after he died, in 1804, the Haitian people won their independence.
Youth Radio asked Haitian students at Toussaint L’Ouverture School for Arts and Social Justice in Delray Beach, Florida for thoughts about the home they
recently left. This is what some of them wrote.
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DREAM
Last night in my dream
I see Mr. Peace who was
talking to the world by
saying it is time to
let one into your hearts
Mr. Peace said that
a bird doesn’t have
a brain to think but,
you people do
Why are you killing people and fighting
among each other?
It is time to change all your bad behavior
Last night in my dream
I saw that many people
repented for what they did
because everything that Mr.
Peace said touched
their feelings.
time to let peace
in your hearts.
-Gertrude Dimonnay
from Cap-Haitian, Haiti
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DREAM
last night in dream
I saw life walking
away from everyone
last night in dream
I saw a poor and a
miserable life reflected
onto the wall and tossed
to me
last night in dream
I saw life goes on
last night in dream
I saw life with its
big mouth tried to
kiss everywhere
on my body
last night in dream
I saw life is happy
-Madelon Charles
from Thomazeau, Haiti
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DREAM
Come, come, the new Haiti
I’m waiting for you
Since a long, long time ago I’m looking for you
Come, come the new Haiti
In my dream
I saw a beautiful smile in your face
I saw you were happy
Happy like a plant that finds good water.
In my dream
I saw your face, beautiful,
like a Haitian girl’s face
-Sherly Luc
from Cotes de Fer, Haiti
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