Place Names and Processes: an hour with Kei Miller

‘The interesting thing about a map is always what’s not on it.’

So said poet, novelist, and essayist, Kei Miller, at his Words and Poetry event at the Cultural Exchanges Festival.

Maps, place names, and languages were the focal point of much of the discussion that followed his reading. His inspirations, and anecdotes from his travels punctuated readings from his latest poetry collection, The Cartographer Tries to Map a Way to Zion.

The sequence of poems follows a conversation between a cartographer and a Rastaman, as they deliberate the nature of mapmaking, and how a person can know a place – two very eclectic characters brought to life through Miller’s animated readings.

Miller touched on his fascination with etymology – particularly in place names – and how language, dialects and history can affect them. A particular favourite of his was Shotover, Jamaica; while locals prefer the story of slaves being shot at, the most likely origin was the French Chateau Vert.

Miller explained how he finds it hard to write individual poems, preferring to create sequences in which he can get the most out of one idea. An academic as well as a poet, his enthusiasm for research and reading usually culminates in one furious writing period, as he aims to show the spectrum of different ways you can see one thing.

As the evening drew to a close, one question was surely on everyone’s mind: How would you map a place?

A. L. Whitaker

Braving the snow to see Kei Miller

Kingston-born poet Kei Miller had the audience hanging on to his every word as he performed at this year’s Cultural Exchanges Festival, charming the audience with a combination of subtle humour and political discourse.

Miller read poems from three of his collections, but primarily focussed on his most recent, The Cartographer Tries to Map a Way to Zion, which charts the conversations had between a struggling cartographer and a Rastafarian who tries to show him that what’s not on the map is bigger and more important. The sequence slips between standard English and Jamaican patois as the two converse, which distinguishes the two distinct voices of the characters in an often humorous but profound manner.

Miller also performed a touching poem titled 'A Prayer for the Unflummoxed Beaver,' which was written for a friend of his who was very ill and was inspired by an encounter with an unfazed beaver in America.

There was an impressive turnout to see Miller, as spectators braved the bitter weather to see him perform, and he certainly warmed our hearts. The lecture hall was full of Kei Miller fanatics, clutching copies of his work and in awe of his presence. He has definitely gained another fan in me.

Ryan Blacklaws

A gift for Kerry's father

Kerry Young reminds me of a really charming amalgamation of my Filipino Great Aunt Lilia and my Jamaican Grandfather George. If I were forced to drink a shot for every time Kerry stood from her chair to dramatize her responses I’d be looking at complete liver failure.

When we first went into the lecture room we were greeted by rows of what I might call a more “mature" audience - we felt like children tagging along to a grown-ups' tea party. Nevertheless the atmosphere was extremely relaxed and respectful; it was refreshing to learn about the history of Jamaica and Kerry Young herself.

Kerry Young took seven years to finish her novel Pao and, from what she said, I feel that it is a project she needed to complete to solidify her identity as a Chinese-Jamaican woman. I asked Kerry if she ever thought of giving up during those seven years. She said she had been tempted but that the novel was a gift for her father - and what a special gift it was. During the discussion it was glaringly obvious that Kerry is passionate about her writing. It was truly inspiring to listen to her tonight.

This was easily my favourite event of Cultural eXchanges so far.

John Marr