Staring Into My Soul is the long-awaited debut poetry collection from Jamaican journalist and poet, Curtis Myrie. Drawing inspiration from the global legacy of Dr. Louise "Miss Lou" Bennett-Coverley and the defiant rhythms of dub poets like Mikey Smith and Mutabaruka, Myrie's voice resonates with lyrical power and cultural urgency. This collection is at once a celebration of Jamaica Nation Language and an act of resistance-an honest, unfiltered look at life in a post-independence society where struggle and spirit live side by side.
Rooted in the spoken word tradition, Myrie's poetry pulses with Rastafarian wisdom and a deep reverence for the Everyman. His verses depict a world where families live in close quarters, where children play amidst political unrest, where "bad man run tings," and government oppression shadows everyday joy. Yet, even in the chaos, love blooms. His storytelling is both raw and gritty-sometimes tugging at your heart, sometimes making you smile.
Staring Into My Soul is more than a personal reflection-it is a poetic chronicle of survival and selfhood. This powerful debut is a triumph that offers readers a rhythmic truth-telling steeped in cultural pride and an unwavering sense of hope for communities too often left in the margins.
