Globally Rooted

Beauty Lies In Sight

Words by Christena Williams |

Read the full poem via link in bio.

Magazine | Issue 03

The Jamaican poet Christena Williams, better known by her stage name of Antonia Valaire was a Nominee in the 39th International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) Spoken word. She is a native from Portmore and her Alma mater is Spanish Town high school. Valaire has won the International Spoken Word Artist from the People of Extraordinary Talent (P.O.E.T), USA, for which she retained in 2021. As a podcaster of The Verandah Conversations she was nominated in Best radio, or online show, by (P.O.E.T), 2022 and 2023.

Valaire has a BA degree with Honors in History and Philosophy from the University of the West Indies. Her book “Pearls among Stones” won the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award. She is also the author of “Black Gold” and “Out from Babylon System: Liberation of Mind.”

In addition to writing, Valaire has performed on the Jamaican Poets School Tour, Bridgewater International Poetry festival virtual (USA), Submitted video to Ronda Leiria Poetry (Portugal), featured in The Gleaner, Poetry NZ 47 (New Zealand), and Shortlisted in Desmond O’Grady poetry (Ireland), & Matches shoes box was included in the Miss Lou 100 +Voices, (Jamaica). Additionally, she represented Jamaica at The Marché de la Poésie in France