Retreat Salybia
Those day, singing in the senior choir we would during tbe Lenten Season, put aside a day, to go somewhere out of the city, somewhere remote, somewhere we wouldn't dare travel to everyday.
So there we are in the mini bus, some call them maxi taxis. We always prayed the rosary on the way. On our retreat day to Salybia, we leave St James around 6:00AM.
We pass through forested areas to get there.At the retreat site there is the sea in the background.
sandals in hand
we walk along the beach sand -
Lenten retreat
© gillena cox 2026
Treasure
“We salute you Gentle Rousseau you can hear us,
Through the noise of modern day styles,
Set to canvas enduring,
We meditate beside your palette of colours and textures,
Bearing in mind,
That greatness is recognised in your passing,
Leaving behind for us treasure
© gillena cox 2026
© gillena cox 2026
Althought shines the moon so bright
And night its questions held so tight
What matters most to each born star
Is how the gazers seem so near
When from its shimmer oceans speak
In dark stages to applause
How goes the muster of this mood
So somber and resilient
Two hearts in synchronicity
Watch for the favour of night
The twinkle of stars, beats of hearts
And naturally glowing sparks
© gillena cox 2026
Without Fantasies,
These i have loved:
The quiet dark anticipating dawn,
Unfolding in layers of whistles and songs of sky birds,
Dare of the tropical mockingbird that skips across my wall,
The shadows of banana leaves in upcoming light,
Without the fantasies,
They are just banana fronds dancing with the wind,
Radiant raindrops couching in cool flowers;
And flowers themselves, that sway through sunny hours,
Dreaming of moths that drink them under the moon
The stark white of plumerias against this background of clearing new day,
The coolness envelops my backyard,
Where a chair lay tumbled,
Maybe from a sprinting cat or maybe a strong gust,
Ah! day breaks:
The cloud palette is yellow, misty yellow.
All these have been my loves.
© gillena cox 2026
Note: The bold lines are from the second stanza of ‘The Great Lover’ by Rupert Brooke
© gillena cox 2026
To answer questions posed in comments i had edited this post to add noted and hyperlinks
Hosay is a solemn festival about 2 martyrs. observed by the muslims in T&T. The festival exyends to the streets with art and music. Both muslims and non muslims look forward to the street art the drumming and food with family and friends. Moon sightings deceide the dates for the festival
