For those who don't know, the "ton ton macoutes" were the terrorist guard of the Haitian dictators Papa Doc and Baby Doc Duvalier. They terrorized Haitian and were psychopathic in their lack compassion and feeling for their fellow citizens. The Docs were ruthless dictators who helped keep their countrymen and women in poverty and anguish.
But the Haitians are an wonderfully creative, expressive and soulful people. Witness their singing in the streets during this time of grief and devastation.
Their ceremonial drumming and dancing is exquisite and entrancing, their visual artists create vibrant works full of life and color, their poets are keen tellers of truth and beauty.
Today, the NYTimes has some works by Haitian writers. One of them was Félix Morisseau-Leroy
DEATH
Whenever I have nightmares
It's the tonton macoutes I'm dreaming about
The other night I dreamed
They made me carry my coffin on my back
Everyone on all the Port-au-Prince streets was laughing at me
There were 2 or 3 boys not laughing
The other night I dreamed
They made me dig my grave in the cemetery
Everyone on television was laughing at me
There were 2 or 3 girls not laughing
The other night I dreamed
A macoute squad was getting ready to shoot me
Everyone was laughing
There was an old woman who wasn't laughing
Those little boys and girls there -
If I say more the devil will steal my voice
The old woman
Is Shooshoon Fandal
They brought her to see the macoutes shoot
Her 5 sons on a street in Grand Gosier.
Félix Morisseau-Leroy, "Shooshoon." Translation from Creole by Jack Hirschman and Boadiba.
Back in the 80s, I belonged to a group that featured an evening of poetry with Mr. Morisseau-Leroy, the incredible Louise Bennett (Miss Lou) from Jamaica, and other island poets. It was my pleasure to escort Mr. Morisseau-Leroy, who was mostly blind, to the cafeteria when he needed something to eat. I read the items to him, and he ordered a ham and cheese sandwich.
The woman behind the counter asked him what kind of bread he wanted it on. He turned to me and said, "You know, if someone asks me what is life?, I can speak for hours. But when they say, what kind of bread do you want on your sandwich . . . I just don't know what to say."
Speaks volumes, eh?