Martin Carter

Martin Carter (1927-1997), full name Martin Wylde Carter, was Guyanese, poet, writer and diplomat. He is known as the major voice of radicalism in Caribbean poetry. He was born in George town, British Guiana (now Guyana); educated at Queen's College; worked as clerk in civil service for four years; forced to resign due to political activities; and later became United Nations representative for Guyana.

Wisdom & Quotes

• The sharp knife of dawn glitters in my hand

but how bare is everything - tall tall tree
infinite air, the unrelaxing tension of the world
and only hope, hope only, the kind eagle soars and
wheels in flight.
- The Knife of Dawn

• Were some who ran one way.

were some who ran another way.
were some who did not run at all.
were some who will not run again.
and I was with them all.
when the sun and streets exploded.
and a city of clerks turned a city of men!
- Jail Me Quickly

• O it was the heart like this tiny

star near to the sorrows
straining against the whole world
and the long twilight
spark of man's dream conquering
the night
moving in darkness stubborn and
fierce
till leaves of sunset change from
green to blue
and shadows grow like giants everywhere.
- I Come From The Nigger Yard

Rosalynn Smith Carter