By Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer 
Rass Rod jokes around beside Gina Rey Forrest at the launch of her second poetry collection recently. - Winston Sill/Staff Photographer
WESTERN BUREAU:
WHEN RASS Rod opened the proceedings with a howl at about 9:00 p.m., it was clear that the launch of Gina Rey Forrest's second poetry collection would not be a typical literary event.
And it was not.
Interlude Vol. I, a collection of 45 poems, was launched at Redbones The Blues Café on Wednesday night with laughter, love and, of course, poetry.
Persons as diverse as Chandis from the P.. P.. Posse and Paula-Ann Porter of FAME FM joined in the celebration by reading some of Gina Rey's work. In fact, other persons reading Ms. Forrest's poetry was the order of the night, called 'Their Interpretation'. Others to give their interpretation of the poems were the lady of the evening's sister, Carol, Rass Rod and 'Aunty Pauline' Pringle.
POEMS
Of course, Gina Rey Forrest herself read, but added poems which were written as recently as November, as well as others from her first book, Hot, Sweet Chocolate.
Before the readings and the fun, though, Michael Reckord introduced Gina Rey Forrest and gave her other name - Sylvia Straw. In keeping things on an even keel, he noted that the writer was the lady of the evening, not the night, and drew upon Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona in asking 'who is Sylvia?'
"I have long been an admirer of Gina Rey's work and her performance, especially her performance," Mr. Reckord said. Comparing pictures of the writer from her first and second books, Mr. Reckord noted the revealing changes and said "We may never get a full picture of who Sylvia is, but throughout the course of the evening we certainly will find out more."
ACHIEVEMENTS
Gina Rey Forrest herself, in setting the book launch in motion, said that when she did Hot Sweet Chocolate the detractors asked "Yu tink yu a Miss Lou?" Miss Forrest pointed out that she is not, but if she gets to even one-tenth of that lady's achievements she will have gone a far way.
Ms. Forrest said that she found herself being defined as a sensuous writer because of the first book. Noting that although she does not like to be categorised, she did not really mind, "but that is not all that I am. I tried to show that in Interlude."
Referring to the critics again, she said; "I was told on one previous occasion that 'Your work has no commercial value'. Ha!" she chortled.
After presenting two copies of Interlude Vol. I to a representative of the National Library, Gina Rey started off the readings with My Mama's Laughter, which was dedicated to her mother, who was in the audience.
STEAMY POEM
The readings continued in the family vein with her sister Carol, who read His Eyes, His Song and Dawn, with a steamy poem sandwiched between.
Duane Francis read the life commentary Wake Up Call, a poem of trust entitled Leap of Faith, A Deadly Winter and closed with the romantic Fire Within.
Gina Rey introduced Paula Ann Porter, who read the steamy Sensual Intelligence, with Chandis continuing on the sexual path with Libation and Mother Woman, wrapping up with This Page.
Pauline Pringle read Night Move, before handing back over to Gina Rey who did a couple poems written in November, as well as old favourites like The Storm and Chocolate Binge.
Chandis and Duane Francis were invited back to do a bit of their own work and Rass Rod interpreted Fluids Secreting, before Gina Rey Forrest brought the book launch to an end with Flashbacks.
