Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

The poetry of recovery

The poetry of recovery

Though many have commended Dr. Richard Georges for publishing three books within three years, he said his secret to such success is actually quite simple: pace.

“It’s a natural progression of work,” said Dr. Georges, who recently was appointed vice president of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. “I carved out a schedule as I did during my doctoral and I kept the same rhythm and work ethic.”

The local author held a ceremony to launch his third book, Epiphanea, on Friday evening, when he signed copies of his books and read some of his poetry aloud at the Coconut Lounge at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park.

He was surrounded by peers and long-time supporters who commended his work.

“As someone who is endlessly fascinated, utterly enthralled, by the cultural identity, heritage, and experience of the Virgin Islands, … Richard finds ways to bring to life into this heritage and experience of which I speak,” said Dr. Sauda Underwood-Smith, who previously taught with Dr. Georges at HLSCC. “He recreates the world, this world, through his poetry.”

As the night of literature progressed with readings and audience questions that Dr. Georges answered at length, the show of support from the community heartened the poet.

“It’s always good to have that kind of fellowship,” he said, adding that he was pleased with the turnout.


Irma focus

Published by Out-Spoken Press in the United Kingdom, Epiphanea is a collection of poems centered around memories, home and the recovery after hurricane Irma. Dr. Georges began writing it in early 2017 and finished in June 2018.

He said his inspiration comes from the landscape and history of the VI, as well as his experiences and personal life.

“I often think of who inhabited this space before me,” he shared, offering a glance into the mindset from which he draws inspiration.

Though his writing has gained international recognition and appreciation, Dr. Georges said the VI doesn’t “have that literacy landscape just yet.”

He credited groups like the Callaloo Poets and others for cultivating creative spaces, but said he sees potential for the territory to expand in its appreciation for literature.

As Reading is Fun Week wound down, Dr. Georges was also pleased that his book launch fell into that week-long celebration of literature.

He commented on the activities hosted by the government and said they were “well organised” and “very inspiring.”

Dr. Georges plans to transition into writing more short stories and eventually into writing novels.

His book Make Us All Islands was shortlisted for the UK-based Forward Prize for Best First Collection, and his second book, Giant, was longlisted for the Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
×