The Sunday Poet: Jean-Dany Joachim

Poet  Jean-Dany Joachim

 Jean-Dany Joachim grew up among poets in his native Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Jean-Dany wrote his first poem at age 14. His writing found its voice in the never-ending, complex reality of his country. After moving to the United States, he began writing in English, while at the same time exploring poetry in other languages. Jean-Dany has translated poetry from and into: Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, and English.He currently works and teaches at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston.


Poetry Matters

Even in times like this

Poetry still matters

Even in times like this 

The sun still rises,

And its light shines

Equally on all of us

Even in times like this

Regardless the length

In the distance we put between us

Whether it's the far-right

Or the far-left that we choose

Poetry still matters

Birds continue singing as always

As if unaware of our resentments

Fish and other ocean creatures

Nonetheless, keep on swimming,

And nature quietly continues its course

Even in times like this

Poetry still matters

Though from Kabul to London

From Paris to Charlottesville,

And Barcelona we have open wounds

Poets certainly must speak

Specially in times like this

Along their truth-telling words

God's ways are revealed

Jean Dany