Budding Brilander Poet Honored at International Convention

(December 2001) Brilander Carola Johnson first learned of the International Poetry Society while surfing the Internet on her home computer. She submitted a poem at www.poetry.com, and next thing she knew, she received an invitation to present her work at the society's annual convention in Washington D.C.

Carola is last June's valedectorian from the All Ages School, and she is currently studying biology and education at College of the Bahamas. She first learned to use a computer in classes from longtime residents Don and Dottie Taylor. She traveled to the poetry convention last August with her proud parents Sherol and Casper Johnson and her younger sister Oprah. Her poem reprinted here honors her great grandmother Blanche Bethel who passed away last May.

Tired old Soul

Tired Old Soul!
Head held high, off to the skies
Coming to an end, off you fly

Misty eyes glistening and shining like gold
Wrinkled skin, broken bones

Tired Old Soul!

Worn out tired, no more spanks
Children alive, giving no thanks

Hair smoking, it's just so old
Back is cramping, ready to fold

Tired Old Soul!

No more scrubbing, no more corns
Fingers rusty, rotten nails gone

Voice is cracked, hunched back
Almost over, no more sack!

Tired Old Soul!