Photo taken by Makeela Alexander at Port of Spain.

The Voice of the Urban... 

What is beautiful TnT evolving into?

A place where love, peace and unity,

Are no longer our main virtue.

Our flag red, white and black

Tells of our story,

One of dominance, hardships and battles

No more struggles and worry…

Unity is dividing us over time and space,

Sadly, people are losing their sense of place,

Unity speaks of people working to achieve a common goal

Unity speaks of togetherness of people, ultimately one soul.

Together we are achieving and aspiring,

Yet our country’s in a state of crumbling.

The cities are deteriorating, becoming alienated,

Our culture… is slowly but surely erasing.

Crime is the focus of our youths today,

The city’s minds are leaded astray.

Put down the weapons,  pick up your pencils,

Don’t let violence be your life’s stencil.

The urban city we perceive as perfect,

Masks the underlying features.

The truth behind this fast-paced life,

Is the creation of dehumanizing creatures.

The concrete jungles and high rise buildings,

Shadows the slums, and homeless dwellings.

The urban life may become too stressful,

Rural life on the other hand is much more peaceful.

Although rural areas are not highly developed,

There is the existence of warmth, peace and love.

The community is close, like one big family,

This is the state the urban should strive to be…

There shouts a cry for help,

The urban is speaking…

But in the end, who listens...?

Who will do the answering?

-by Régene Pope and Makeela Alexander