HOME
     The majority of James's works are written in the Bahamian Dialect, "Bahamianese", a word coined by Mr. Catalyn.

       The works reflect the Bahamian way of life, both past and present. 

      A satirical approach has been taken in dealing with many of today's typical, topical and timely subjects in The Bahamas.
James at home, Bar 20 Corner
LOOKING BACK
I AM A BAHAMIAN
I am a Bahamian!
My colour does not matter to me
It should not matter to you
I make no apology.
I am proud of my colour
I am proud of the way I look
I am proud of me.

I am Bahamian

It is of no concern to me
That my father was born in another land
I was born Bahamian
I need not look elsewhere
For my heritage
No one is looking to me for theirs
No one is climing me as "Brother Man"
Unless for dubbious reasons.

I claim no one
But my Bahamian brothers
I know of no other roots
But my Bahamian roots
And I am proud.

I do not wish to run
From my country
To identify with another culture
Nor let others force
Their beliefs on me.

I am not African
I am not European
I am not black
I am not white
I am me!  I am Bahamian!

I was born Bahamian
I have a right to be Bahamian
And I will die for the right
To remain, Bahamian!

james j. catalyn (C) 26/3/92
Looking back
Life has been good and kind.
A little rough, occassionally
A little disappointing
A little sad.

I may not have achieved
All that I would have liked
But putting it all in perspective
I am happy and satisfied
And contented.

I am not yet done
For as long as God grants me
Life
And breath,
Health
And strength,
I shall continue to find
Happiness, contentment and pleasure
In all that surrounds me.

God has given me
Good friends,
Good health,
And a good family.

Above all,
God has given me His love.
I need not ask for anything else.

I am enjoying peace of mind.

james j. catalyn (c) 6/1/89
(written for my 49th birthday)
TODAY I BECAME A MAN
Today I became a man.
I experienced the realisation
Of a setting
Of mind, body and soul.

I experienced the realisation.
That the frustrations of youth
Were behind me.

I experienced the realisation.
That I made my own decisions
Chartered my own destiny
And answered only to myself and God.

I experienced the realisation.
That I did not have to explain
         My actions to anyone
         Nor ask leave of anyone
         Nor apologise to anyone
         Nor be guided by anyone.

I experienced the realisation.
That I was the deciding factor in my life.

Today I experienced the realisation
That today I became a man.

Today I experienced maturity.

james. j. catalyn.  (c) 19/8/86
MOTHER
The days were long
The nights were longer still
And yet you cared for me.
You gave me love
And happiness unknown.
And now after many years of loving kindness
I shall in return
Give to you
Joy and happiness and peace.

james j. catalyn (c) may/60
written as a tribute to my mother,
theresa elizabeth major,
for mother's day, may 1960.
Published "Expressing Myself" (c) 1979
NEXT PAGE
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1