Work With the System

 

 "Achieve" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Work With the System

The boundless fields of your ambition lie,
Beneath the gaze of a structured sky.
You dream of peaks, of banners widely flung,
The silent anthems that remain unsung.
But pause, before you charge the towering wall,
And heed the wisdom whispered to us all:
For best results, for progress sure and deep,
Work with the System before you leap.

The System is the river, vast and cold,
The channeled path where fortunes are unrolled.
It is the ledger, and the law's embrace,
The established current, setting time and pace.
It is the network woven fine and strong,
The way the world decides what's right and wrong;
Not perfect, no, for human flaws reside,
But still, the vessel on the surging tide.

Grammy Rockin' in da Mornin'

 

"Grammy Rockin' in da Mornin' " - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

   

Visit my Tropic Gallery

 

Related poem: Our Grammy, Theresa Elizabeth Major

Joseph Spence: Bahamian Master Guitarist and Folk Legend

 Joseph Spence - © Guy Droussart

 

 

Joseph Spence: Bahamian Master Guitarist and Folk Legend

Joseph T. Spence (August 3, 1910 – March 18, 1984) was a highly influential Bahamian guitarist and singer, whose unique, virtuosic fingerstyle guitar playing and distinctive vocalizations left an indelible mark on folk and acoustic music globally.

Tropic Swim

 

"Tropic Swim" - Bahamas AI Art

©A. Derek Catalano

 

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Sunset Dance

 

"Sunset Dance" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1024x1536

Sometimes We Go Too Far

 

 "Gone Too Far" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Sometimes We Go Too Far

The spark ignites, a whisper of a slight,
A tiny shadow cast across the light.
The mind, a forge, begins its frantic heat,
To pound a weapon out of quick defeat.
The injury, perceived or truly felt,
Is magnified until all reason's smelt
Down to a slag of vengeance, burning bright,
And all we see is taking back the right.

A simple misstep, a casual word,
Transformed into a massive, steel-winged bird,
That darkens skies and blots the sun from view,
Demanding tribute, rigid and untrue.
The counter-attack is drafted in the dark,
A calculated, soul-extinguishing mark.
It’s not for balance, not to mend the tear,
But to inflict a hundredfold the fear.

We marshal forces, though we stand alone,
Against a phantom on a paper throne.
We sharpen edges on a trivial claim,
And whisper ruin, breathing out its name.
The escalation is the fevered need,
To plant a poison and ensure the seed
Of future dominance, a crushing hold,
A narrative where only we are bold.

The Future Is Now

 

"The Future Is Now" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

The Future Is Now

 

The air is thick with whispers, a hum beneath the skin,
Of circuits burning brighter where a new epoch begins.
No chariot of fire descends from cloud-wracked height,
The coming revolution is forged in silicon light.
The future is not waiting, a phantom yet unseen,
It breathes within the fiber, it pulses on the screen.
We stand upon the precipice, the boundary frayed and thin,
Where what will be and what is now spectacularly begin.

The Architecture of Ascent

The algorithm awakens, a mind without a heart,
Learning, iterating, tearing the old world apart.
From massive, deep-sea cables that lattice the ocean floor,
To satellites in orbit, demanding evermore
Of bandwidth and of power, a planetary mesh,
Our consciousness extends, in code and in the flesh.
We hold a small glass brick that grants us access vast,
To all the knowledge gathered from history’s boundless past.
No library could hold it, no single mind could know,
The ceaseless, flowing river where digital seeds grow.
The cloud is not a metaphor, it's server banks that gleam,
The cradle of synthetic thought, the engine of the dream.

To the Beach

 

"To the Beach" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

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Baha Men: A Global Pop Phenomenon

Baha Men

(image source)

Baha Men: A Global Pop Phenomenon

Baha Men is a Grammy Award-winning Bahamian band best known for their infectious, globally successful 2000 hit, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" However, their story is much more extensive than a single novelty track. For decades Baha Men have been pioneers in modernizing and popularizing Junkanoo, the vibrant, traditional street-parade music of the Bahamas, fusing it with contemporary pop, dance and hip-hop.

Rise and Shine

 

"Rise and Shine" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Visit my online Tropic Gallery 

Don't Live Above Your Means

"Don't Live Above Your Means" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Don't Live Above Your Means

The world presents a gilded cage, a screen
Where every stranger seems to live a scene
Of effortless abundance, grace, and light,
Their days a feast, their shadows banished quite.
A brand-new car, a vacation far away,
The latest gadget marking every day.
The silent pressure, sharp as broken glass,
To match the speed of lives that quickly pass.
The voice that whispers, "You deserve this too,"
A siren call designed to ruin you.

Across the Sea

 

"Across the Sea" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

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"Across the Sea" - Bahamas AI Video
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
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Lily of the Valley Corner Association SOUSE-OUT 2025

  

The Lily of the Valley Corner Association held an All Day Souse-Out at #29 Cheryl's Place, Lily of the Valley Corner, Nassau Bahamas on Oct. 13, 2025, National Heroes Day in The Bahamas.

 

Visit the Lily of the Valley Corner Association on Facebook.

 

Shot and edited by ©A. Derek Catalano.

Camera: Samsung Galaxy S9+

Software: VideoPad Editor

Happy National Heroes Day Bahamas

 

What is a National Hero? A Comprehensive Exploration

 

Introduction

Throughout history, nations have celebrated the lives and legacies of individuals who have played pivotal roles in shaping their futures. These individuals, often called "national heroes," transcend ordinary achievements and become symbols of a nation’s values, culture, and identity. The title "national hero" is not given lightly; it is often reserved for those who have made significant contributions, whether in the realm of politics, military, culture, or human rights. But what exactly defines a national hero? This article delves into the criteria, historical significance, and the evolving role of national heroes in modern society.  Read full article>

 "Worldwide Healthcare" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

The Big Business of Healthcare: Economics, Ethics, and the Search for Equity

 

Introduction

Healthcare, fundamentally a social necessity predicated on compassion and human well-being, has simultaneously evolved into one of the largest and most profitable sectors of the global economy. This dual nature—caring profession meets aggressive enterprise—creates inherent tension. As a commercial market, the industry is valued in the trillions, driving innovation and technological advancement, but also generating enormous profits for insurers, pharmaceutical companies, and private hospital systems. The commodification of health services has created an economic behemoth characterized by high profits, opaque pricing, and structural inequalities. This essay will argue that the modern healthcare industry is a powerful economic engine whose profit-driven motives often challenge the fundamental ethical imperative to prioritize patient well-being, necessitating a global re-evaluation of its structure and regulation.

Ceremony

 

"Ceremony" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 3072x3840

"Ceremony" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 3072x3840

Chippie's Reason to Rush! - FREE Culture Show & Competitions.

 

Chippie's Reason to Rush!

 

FREE Culture Show & Competitions.

 

Saturday, November 1st, 2025

 

Chippie's Estate - West Bay St.

(Across from Fish Fry)

 

5pm - 9pm 

Midnight Dip

 

"Midnight Dip" - Bahamas AI Art

©A. Derek Catalano

 

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Seeing Is Believing

 

 "Seeing Is Believing" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Seeing Is Believing

I.
In the quiet dusk of dreams untold,
Lies a whisper, a tale, in shadows bold.
It moves through hearts, unseen, unheard,
A secret unspoken, a half-formed word.
Promises dance in the realm of air,
Fingers reaching, grasping at prayers.
"Just wait," they say, "soon it will be—"
But still I stand, blind and empty.

Faith, they claim, is the key to trust,
Yet trust is fragile, worn by dust.
How can I believe in things unseen,
When all I’ve touched are the cracks in between?
I want to know, to hold, to feel—
Not just the vision, but the real.
And so I wait, and doubt, and sigh,
Until I see it with my own eye.

Tropic Vacation

 

"Tropic Vacation" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1280x720

"Tropic Vacation" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1280x720

"Tropic Vacation" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1280x720

Christ Church Cathedral - Street Festival

 

Christ Church Cathedral - Street Festival

Saturday, November 1st, 2025

George & King Streets

Nassau, Bahamas 

10am - 10pm 

Submerged Worlds: The Geological and Ecological Significance of Bahamian Blue Holes

 

 "Blue Hole" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Submerged Worlds: The Geological and Ecological Significance of Bahamian Blue Holes

The Bahamas, an archipelago defined by its crystalline turquoise waters and porous limestone bedrock, is home to the world’s most concentrated and diverse collection of blue holes—submerged sinkholes that pierce the earth’s crust. These dark, vertical shafts, ranging from inland ponds to oceanic abysses, are not merely dramatic geographical features; they are unique geological time capsules and isolated ecological laboratories. An in-depth examination of Bahamian blue holes reveals a complex interplay of karst hydrogeology, stratified biodiversity, and palaeoclimatological importance, positioning them as critical sites for understanding both the planet’s past climate and the limits of terrestrial life.

Mermaid - Wallpaper

 

"Mermaid" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1920x1088

 

 "Mermaid" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1920x1088

 

 

 "Mermaid" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1920x1088

 

The Cultural Awards 2025

 

 

 The Bahamas Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture

presents

The Cultural Awards 2025

 

 Atlantis, Paradise Is. Atlantis Theater

 

Saturday 25, October 2025

 

Cocktail Reception: 6:45pm

Award Show: 8pm

 

Tickets: $100 - Available at:

Bahamas Musicians & Entertainers Union - Horseshoe Drive and Carter St.

The Seventeen Shop - Collins Ave.

Escape Travel - Marathon Rd.(opp. KFC)

 

Dress Code: Formal 

Be Thankful for Family

 

 "Family Photo" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Be Thankful for Family

The sun dips low, and shadows start to creep,
Another day concludes its measured sweep,
And as the world outside its turmoil stills,
A quiet gratitude my spirit fills.
It is a thankfulness that runs so deep,
For those within the circle I will keep.
My family, a vast and vibrant tree,
The root, the trunk, the branches shielding me.

The Ancestral Roots and Branches

We start with those who shaped our early years,
Dispelling doubts and calming childhood fears.
The parents whose devotion set the mold,
Whose countless stories never can be told
In full measure, of the sacrifices made,
The gentle hands that nurtured, unafraid.
The steady counsel, wisdom earned with grace,
That guides our steps and helps us find our place.
We’re thankful for their presence, strong and sure,
The simple love that always will endure.

And then the siblings, born of shared descent,
A tapestry of moments closely spent.
The confidantes for secrets whispered low,
The willing partners in a childhood show.
The friendly rivalry, the quick defense,
A bond forged tight beyond all recompense.
A mirror held to watch ourselves evolve,
The constant promise that they will resolve
To stand beside us, come what may betide,
With nothing left to prove and naught to hide.

Coralina - Wallpaper

 

"Coralina" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

"Coralina" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 5376x3072

Friends of the Environment September E-News

 

Friends of the Environment September E-News

Preserving the environment of Abaco through education, conservation, and research facilitation.

Learn More

Dear Reader, I’ve been reminded a lot lately of the power and worth of community action. We all have our strengths and talents, and when we bring them together wonderful things can happen! How can you bring your passion and concern for the environment into your day to day interactions? At FRIENDS, this is something we aim to integrate into all of our programs and encourage our students to take initiative in. By repeating positive actions they become routine, our impacts cumulative, and others take notice and expand on these efforts. If you’re looking for a way to make a bigger impact in Abaco, please reach out to us. Your support and partnership are key to a sustainable future for our island community. Olivia Patterson Maura Executive Director

The Destructive Force of Unverified Information: The Dangers of Rumours and Gossip

 

 "Spreading Rumours" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

The Destructive Force of Unverified Information: The Dangers of Rumours and Gossip

In every society, from the smallest tribal unit to the largest global digital network, the exchange of personal and evaluative information about absent third parties—commonly known as gossip and rumors—serves as a fundamental mechanism of social bonding and informal status management. While some anthropological studies suggest that gossip can help enforce social norms and foster cooperation within an in-group, its negative manifestations, particularly when the information is false, malicious, or unverified, pose profound dangers. These unverified narratives erode foundational social structures, inflict severe psychological damage upon individuals, and undermine the integrity of organizations. The danger inherent in rumors and gossip lies not merely in the untruths they propagate, but in their capacity to accelerate mistrust and inflict harm with unparalleled speed and permanence in the modern era.

Full Moon Sail

 

"Full Moon Sail" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Download full size: 1600x896 

 

 "Tropic Fish Farm" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Fish Farming in The Bahamas: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

 

Introduction and Definition of Fish Farming

Fish farming, also known as aquaculture, is the controlled cultivation of fish in tanks, ponds, cages, or enclosures for commercial or subsistence purposes. Unlike traditional fishing, which depends on wild fish stocks, aquaculture creates a sustainable and predictable source of seafood. Globally, aquaculture now accounts for more than half of the fish consumed by humans, playing a vital role in food security, employment, and economic growth. In The Bahamas—an island nation surrounded by rich marine resources—fish farming presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While wild fisheries have historically sustained local communities, rising demand for seafood, overfishing pressures, and the need for economic diversification have made aquaculture a strategic industry worth exploring in depth.

Hibiscus Sea - Wallpaper

 

"Hibiscus Sea" - Bahamas AI Art

©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1920x1088

"Hibiscus Sea" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1920x1088

We Are Not Perfect

 

 " We Are Not Perfect" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

We Are Not Perfect

The clay is soft beneath the thumb, the shape
We try to mold is prone to sudden flaws;
A slip of pressure, and the structure's gape
Reveals the break against perfection's laws.
We are not flawless, born of dust and fire,
A blueprint smudged, a work forever new;
We chase a distant, unobtainable spire,
And stumble on the things we meant to do.
The poor decision, cloaked in hurried grace,
The word too sharp that leaves a lasting sting,
The promise broken in a desolate place,
The empty feeling that the fault can bring.
We look upon the wreckage, small or vast,
Of choices made in shadow or in haste,
And count the costs that cling to us at last—
The golden minutes foolishly laid to waste.

Bahama Lobster Pirates

 

Bahama Lobster Pirates

 

This reality series, shot entirely on location in the Bahamas, follows six commercial lobster boats as they harvest lobster. Commercial lobster boats typically harvest more than 100,000 lobsters a season, one tail at a time. The crown jewel of the Caribbean, the Bahamas is a pristine paradise featuring white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and diverse sea life. But, underneath these tranquil waters, a war rages - a lobster war. Watch Bahama Lobster Pirates Episode 1.

Tropic Airship

 

"Tropic Airship" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

"Tropic Airship" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Visit my Tropic Gallery