I was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on January 30, 1964, the first child of Rama and Louise Maragh. In 1969, my parents migrated to New York City and were joined by my sister, Andrea, and me in 1970. Brooklyn, New York, would be our home for the next ten years. 

In 1980, after the birth of my brother Rajesh, my father proclaimed that there would be no more cold and snowy winters for him, and moved the family yet again, this time to Miami, Florida. Somewhere during this period, I wrote a little humorous poem for my sister for her birthday. When some friends came to visit, she shared my debut work with them. One asked if I could write a love poem. “I don’t know,” was my response. “Will you try for me?” our friend asked. And so, I did. This was the moment that my journey as a poet began.

After graduating from Miami Sunset Senior High in 1982, I entered the workforce and held various positions, including stock clerk, cashier, and bank teller. In 1983, I met the person who would become the love of my life and the mother to my children: my wife, Kamini.

In 1986, I joined the US Air Force, where I was trained as an inventory manager. After one year stationed in Plattsburg New York, I was able to get a transfer to Homestead AFB, bringing me back home. In 1987, Kamini and I were married. October 1990 was an eventful month. My eldest daughter, Keera, was born on October 5. Sometime soon after, I was given orders to head to Saudi Arabia to provide support to Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In January 1991, I was then deployed to the area of conflict. Four months later, I returned home a proud and decorated soldier, and was given the option of an early release from the Air Force, which I accepted.

At this point, I returned to school for electronics and, more specifically, computer repair. But after completing my studies and attaining my associates degree, it became clear that a career in inventory management would be more lucrative. Now with the arrival of our second child, Daya, I decided to remain in that field.  

At the age of seven, our eldest child, Keera, began struggling with school. As parents, we found ourselves in a place common in today’s world: We were spending more time at work than at home with our children. By now, my wife’s business was growing. Fortunately, this gave us the opportunity to make a change. I became her office manager and a stay-at-home dad, a position I would hold for seven years. At this point, we had two elementary-aged girls, and an infant son, Shashi. In 2002, we would complete our family with the addition of our daughter, Tulsi. My poems are a reflection of my everyday life experiences. Above all, it is my relationship with my wife, children, family, and friends that influences my poetry, which resonates strongly with my readers.