Geoffrey Philp
Bio
I'm a Jamaican writer. I write poems, stories & essays about climate change, Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, haiku & haibun. I've published a graphic novel for children, "My Name is Marcus." For more info, visit: https://www.geoffreyphilp.com/
Stories (88)
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Barefoot Verse:
Judith Falloon-Reid's Jaiku: Photos & Haikus from a Jamaican Barefoot Island Girl is groundbreaking. It is the first Jamaican collection of haiga—a blend of photography and haiku—and introduces a new genre she calls "jaiku," which fuses traditional Japanese haiku with her distinct Jamaican voice. This innovative approach offers readers a fresh, culturally rich way to experience poetry and visuals.
By Geoffrey Philp 12 months ago in BookClub
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Marcus Garvey & More
Marcus Garvey is one of the most influential figures in the global movement for Black liberation, unity, and pride. A visionary leader and founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), Garvey's life and work continue to inspire movements advocating for economic independence, self-reliance, and Pan-Africanism. From establishing the Black Star Line to emphasizing African history and cultural empowerment, Garvey shaped a legacy transcending borders and generations.
By Geoffrey Philp 12 months ago in History
Unstoppable You:
Every new year brings a fresh start—a chance to step back, reflect, and envision where we're headed. As 2025 kicks off, I've decided to channel my creativity into something larger than myself—a project that speaks directly to young minds. Unstoppable You: 50 Quotes by Marcus Garvey to Inspire Greatness guides young readers through self-discovery, urging them to step into their power and recognize what makes them unstoppable. By blending Garvey's timeless wisdom with stories of perseverance and purpose, I show young Black readers that their dreams hold meaning, their strength runs deep, and their voices deserve to be heard.
By Geoffrey Philp 12 months ago in Motivation
An Interview With Marcus Garvey. AI-Generated.
Biographical Note Marcus Mosiah Garvey (1887–1940) was a Jamaican-born political leader, publisher, entrepreneur, and orator who became a leading figure in the Pan-African and Black nationalist movements. Founding the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914, Garvey advocated for the economic empowerment and unity of African people globally. He promoted the vision of a prosperous, self-reliant African diaspora and established ventures like the Black Star Line to facilitate trade and solidarity among African-descended communities. Known for his stirring speeches and commitment to mental and economic emancipation, Garvey's ideas continue to inspire movements for social justice, pride, and independence worldwide.
By Geoffrey Philp about a year ago in Interview
Kigo and Kireji
Carl Jung once said, "Only the paradox comes anywhere near to comprehending the fullness of life." This insight captures the essence of Japanese haiku, a poetic form that distills complex insights into a few words. At the heart of Japanese haiku are the kigo (season word) and kireji (cutting word). These tools and juxtaposition are crucial in creating paradox—a state in which seemingly contradictory ideas are conceived as a whole.
By Geoffrey Philp about a year ago in Poets
Casting a Haiku Spell
We've all been there—reaching that point in writing haiku when we hit a plateau—to put it kindly-- and everything we write seems "weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable." This feeling intensifies if you've been adhering strictly to the form Martin Lucas spoofs in "Haiku as Poetic Spell":
By Geoffrey Philp about a year ago in Poets
Beyond Talent
Writers constantly grapple with balancing craft against life's demands, seeking a formula for consistent production while nurturing creativity. The stark reality of living solely from writing underscores the need for such a framework. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported approximately 151,200 writers and authors in 2023, yet only an estimated 10-20% earn a full-time living solely from their writing. Most supplement their income through teaching, freelance work, or other fields. These statistics highlight writers' challenges and the importance of intentionally structuring one's life to support creative pursuits. So, how do we create a framework that will allow us to work and create in our calling?
By Geoffrey Philp 2 years ago in Writers
Rewriting the Saijiki
According to scientists such as Paul Crutzen and Eugene Stoermer, we are now in the Anthropocene, a proposed geological epoch defined by human impacts on the environment. In an article published last year in The Guardian, the effects of climate change on the traditional Japanese poetic form of haiku highlighted the challenges and opportunities faced by contemporary haiku poets ("Lost to the Climate Crisis: Japan Haiku Poets," The Guardian, 2023).
By Geoffrey Philp 2 years ago in Poets
