Guyanese poet joins Trinidad’s spoken word scene in “Borderlines Bucket List”

Using nothing but his words to craft vivid images in the minds of his listeners, Mishael Henry – a Guyanese by nationality and two-time Guyanese National Poetry Slam champion – recently took the Trinidadian stage, captivating audiences during the Borderlines Bucket List show alongside Trinidadian poets Derron Sandy and Idrees Saleem.
With over eight years of experience in the performance poetry scene, he has captivated audiences both locally and across the Caribbean.
The event, held at the Central Bank Auditorium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, showcased a fusion of Caribbean voices, highlighting the power of storytelling to cross borders and connect communities.
Borderlines was conceptualised in 2018 by Idrees Saleem and Derron Sandy, and the show has grown steadily over the years, expanding from a single night in 2018 to a three-day festival in 2025. The goal of the showcase is to create a sustainable platform for performance poetry that follows a sound business model, contributing to the diversification of the performance arts industry in Trinidad and Tobago.
Recalling his experience performing outside of Guyana, Mishael said that his ultimate goal is for spoken word to have an impact not only in Guyana but across the Caribbean.

“The goal for spoken word for me is so that it can impact not only Guyana but also the region, and this is the start of that. I foresee that in the future, other Trinidadian poets can one day come to Guyana to collaborate with the vast range of voices that are emerging. Currently, poets in Guyana are taking over the scene, and they have the power to reach the region as well.”
He also highlighted the growing talent in Guyana’s spoken word scene and emphasised the importance of showcasing it regionally.
“Guyana has a vast number of emerging poets, and this sends a strong statement to the region that we have something to offer in spoken word. I also foresee that shows can be held in Guyana, as my continued experience grants me insight into the power of production and performance in spoken word poetry.”
Henry also shared his vision for the future of spoken word in Guyana: “The future for spoken word poetry in Guyana is very bright. I foresee auditoriums filled with people ready to witness the power of spoken word right here at home. I also plan to reach students and teach them this art form.”
This year, he performed at Camille’s Academy, where he mentored young voices and introduced students to the benefits of spoken word poetry.
He stressed the importance of including youth in the movement: “Youths cannot be left out because they have important stories to tell from their own perspectives. Spoken word can be a tool for them to speak about their challenges and convey their experiences poetically. This is not a journey I alone must undertake, but one where other poets in Guyana can grow, spread their wings, perform in other countries, collaborate, meet more people, and gain recognition across the Caribbean.”