Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Ites smiles, shortly after being announced the winner of the second week of 'Sey Sup'm', held at Weekenz, Constant Spring Road, St. Andrew, on Tuesday night.

On Tuesday night, the person with the most content in his verse, Ites, won the second week of the 'Sey Sup'm' poetry competition, held at Weekenz, Constant Spring Road.

His poem, dedicated to the people of the Darfur region of Sudan, placed emphasis on the destructive janjaweed militia, warning, "Like a menacing danger they come/like a roaring lion they come".

"Run, you mothers, in fear that your child will be taken from you/run, you little boys, before you are decapitated," Ites said, his emphatic right hand being the sole movement in a performance where he stood in one position on the stage.

A bit apprehensive

After being announced the week's winner, taking home $5,000 and earning a spot on the mid-August finals, Ites, now in a black jacket, said, "I was a bit apprehensive and fearful the audience would not accept it."

He said that the poem, which came in a vision the previous Thursday "took approximately 26 hours to write, rearrange, fine-tune", though confessing, "I am not really a poet".

Cries of 'sey sup'm' from the audience urged him to deliver the poem a second time, which he did in fits and starts.

Second on the night was Martin Clarke, who won 67 per cent of the votes from judges Ishion Hutchinson, Barbara Blake-Hannah and Cliff Williams. He was just ahead of the evening's youngest and only female contestant, Yanique.

There were almost as many guests as the seven contestants for the night, LSX in the beginning and Christian Campbell at the end presenting different styles of poetry. The LSX trio put their stanzas to roots reggae rhythms, while the Bahamian Campbell was superb as he read At Buckingham Palace, Pardon I Soldier and Old Man Chant, the last honouring the men "who look me straight in the eye, even from the Thursday obits".

Cezar sat easily on a stool, guitar at the ready, and strummed as he sang of his "seasons in the sun". Before doing You're Beautiful, he said "I wish it was my song," then did a good job of putting his touch on the James Blunt standout. He ended with the inspirational Keep On, but returned to deliver dancehall style for Kurrup to ignite the audience with his deejay skills.

Kurru the tone of the night as he spoke of "that muscle grip is like a massage" and, after saying that conflicts in the world are over love, deejayed "Sake a de gal me cyaan sleep ..." for a cheering audience.

'Sey Sup'm' host Steppa was also a guest at points, dropping his lyrics in trademark thunderous fashion, before an appreciative audience which was significantly larger than the first week's turnout.

'Sey Sup'm' host Steppa (centre) speaks to judge Barbara Blake-Hannah (right), as judge Ishion Hutchinson (left) listens. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer