Nigel Daring

Rasta Poems Nigel Daring

Rastafari has values. Rastafari is radical and revolutionary. Many outside the movement have the mistaken notion that it's all about easy-going living, marijuana smoking, Reggae music, dreadlocks, and just being countercultural because it's cool. Rastafari represents spiritual mores as well as rebellion against injustice. "Rasta Poems" speaks to both aspects of the movement/culture. It contains a body of work that includes faith-based devotionals and enlightening commentary. Some poems function in an advisory and advocacy role. Others represent current conditions in perspective of their inhumanity. The hope is that by reflecting on them in this manner, new approaches may be devised. But the book, as a collective, brings forth the beauty of Rastafari, its faith and revolutionary stance."Rasta Poems" even delineates Rastafari in some respects, such that some standards of conduct can be understood. Doing so removes the notion that any and everyone with any and every belief merits the label Rasta. This book is a calling for moral conduct along lines commonly held in the Rastafari community. It also addresses some controversial issues that have been responsible for some divisiveness in Rastafari. It doesn't simply relay them to the public, it takes positions, which it elucidates both poetically and rationally. The book effectively treads the line between poetic charisma and sound reasoning. The abundance of brutal logic is nicely masked in verses and stanzas. But it's not hidden well enough for its effect to be escaped. "Rasta Poems" inundates with a poetic flow that also hits cerebrally. Rastafari is growing worldwide. Rastafari people need works of their inclination and the world needs to know what it is. "Rasta Poems" satisfies both demands. It appeals to Rasta people by referencing issues pertinent to their reality. It also shows the world at large the dynamics of the Rasta community. As Rasta grows, this will serve as one of those books that gave a snapshot of where the culture was in a particular period of time.