NCU student publishes collection of poems

Third-year Communication Studies student at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Quade Thompson has published his first Book Powetic – Where Power Meets Poetry.

The young poet says that his book is a collection of poems that tackle social issues that young people face. “While at NCU, I fell in love with the therapeutic power of poetry. It was my comfort in a world that frequently shuns the very presence of men wanting to express themselves or cry out,” he said.

Thompson started writing poetry when he was 18. However, he did not anticipate that he would end up publishing a book. He attributes his success to his family and their continued support, along with the encouragement from his colleagues.

“I began performing poems at several events, and I was commended for their quality, depth, and how relatable they were. So people encouraged me to compile them into a book,” Thompson recounted. “What really pushed me to do this was, above all, the fact that I want to reach out to other persons who believe that they have no voice,” the NCU student added.

He explained that the name of the book Powetic came from his observation that his colleagues’ struggle with several issues that are often overlooked such as suicide, neglect, and low self-esteem. He touches on these issues in the poems titled Society, Remember, Self-worth and A better life.

“I feel that Jamaican youths need a voice, and this book is geared towards giving a voice to the voiceless. This book has become a powerful tool to speak to people using poetry,” Thompson suggested. He has plans to publish other books that inspire people while tackling social issues.

– Written by Avinash Evans, final-year communications studies student at NCU, Mandeville.