This is radio grapevine… Talk for her
Le’Dash
This exquisite art piece by master quilter Bisa Butler was the catalyst I needed to look inward and come to a reckoning with my younger self. The colors of the girl’s patch work dress, her butterfly – yellow ribbons coupled with the childish gaze of this particular design subject somehow shook me home to another place and time.. Every stitch and pattern spoke my name..
As children of the sun, reared in the Caribbean, my siblings and I often flitted and frolicked among the fruit trees and the flowers in our yard. From Julie Mango to June Plum tree, Hibiscus to Heliconia and myriad blooms, we ran. Our kindred spirits romped unabashedly and free.
One of my favorite haunts was near the front porch in the shadows of a shrub nicknamed Ball of Fire (the actual name of the species, on further research is the Ixora Maui Red). I loved that shrub the best, probably because any of its random spherical blooms easily lent itself to an impromptu microphone. It became magical in my little hands. An amplifier for my yet uncluttered voice.
I would pretend I was sitting with an interesting artiste or panel on the set of my Talk Forum. In this solitary game I played the part of skillful host, mining for life’s stories from my phantom guests. These unscripted exchanges were bound only by my imagination. The production – enhanced and embellished by borrowed mannerisms and witty turn of phrases and techniques of such media personalties as fellow Hill country Clarendonian, Fae Ellington.
To that little girl perched on her verandah parapet with fire nestled in her hands and heart, I now remind her that we only get one dash. I whisper softly in her ear…girl child, there is no time like the present to rethread those dreams. Gather your florals, plait in your plaids, weave in the wisdom of years into a tapestry called love. It’s time to take up space in your moccassins and speak life.
Overcomingspeechlessness
Le' D-ash 