We need to break the silence and the fear that many children find themselves in keeping secrets that should not be kept, we need to create a platform where children can come and speak without fear of judgement, blame or shame. Right now as I type this and by the time it is read many more awful atrocities will be carried out by family members, so called friends towards the young and the vulnerable. Let us not forget those we hold in high esteem, who abuse their authority. Children are a gift from the creator, they should be cherished. My Father always says “A Child does not ask to be born”...
#25 Us When you said you didn't want to go I thought you just wanted to spoil my fun I didn't understand Thought you were being a drama queen When I look back oh how I was so mean What I don't understand was that he was always good to us If I had a chance to go by myself I would take it as mum's new man clearly doesn't like us Mum said he liked young girls We thought that was big people talk Of which we have been instructed Not to come between But you are his daughter and I am his son But as they say blood is thicker then water Sorry for not realising, I could always see something in your eyes It was the one thing we never shared Now I understand why I stand over a Man I once loved and respected As the knife in my hand is dripping crimson red I have no regrets You remain my little annoying sister I am here to protect This I was told from the start Yes I wanted a little brother But once you came you took my heart I want to hold you and tell you it will be alright In time the nightmares will stop I prayer you will grow to forgive Then you can heal and learn again how to trust.
Remember my little sister there will always be us!
There is way too many deaths of young black men in our community. There are way too many unsolved murders amongst young black men. There is large amount of unemployment amongst our young black men. There are way too many young black boys being expelled from schools, colleges and places of learning. There are a high number of young men being brought up in single parent households. There have been many closures of youth clubs and recreational parks and halls across all London Boroughs, There is a large group of young black men who have nothing to do with their time.
There are many guns within many of the underprivileged areas. There is a high number of young black men selling or taking drugs. There is a high number of young black men who are in prison.
There are a high number of young black men whom despite all these negative issues are holding down jobs, are obtaining good degrees, are becoming good fathers.......I just thought I would say..........
Posted 24th February
#23 Last Smile The picture of a proud mother Her hand placed gently on his shoulder Him smiling in that 'I really should be embarrassed at my age to be skinning my teeth like this' But Mum's so happy I will give my street cred a miss They share the same smile They share the same goals Some wicked person, who? We just don't know Has taken him from his loving Mother Ended his life Terminated his dreams That picture captured them so well smiling Because no one knows what the future holds Cherish our children grow them well There is nothing that can prepare you for this type of hell. The taking of another life it is not correct it's not right Daily on our screen this phenomena is clouding our dreams. Make it stop! Make it stop! No more of our young men taken down in their prime Its like a culling of the next generation Where only the ruthless heartless and troubled will survive.
This Poem was posted 23rd February, I wrote this poem for no other reason, than it needed to be written. I need to let everyone who wasn't there at the time know what were going through. The response I got after posting this poem confirmed to me the type of poetry I need to be producing. I would like to be considered as a Griot a storyteller that’s what I do. I tell the stories that time has forgotten. I like to give those too weak a voice. Marlon Kush Palmer picked it up and posted it on his timeline, to which I am so grateful, as the comments and response was so encouraging. Linton Kwesi Johnson I should say The Great Linton Kwesi Johnson, I have met him on several occasions, he is dignified distinctive no one wears a trilby like him, so very hard working. I remember when I was starting out and sending him some poetry. He looked it over as I remember he was favourable and encouraging. His tireless campaigning and work towards raising everyone’s awareness of this tragedy will always put him in high esteem with me. #22 The New Cross Fire The fire took hold in a lower room. Fire always climbs and rises to the top So the party goers had no chance of escape Just like that one by one they dropped There are tales of breaking glass No one can confirm what came first Was the fire started from outside or in? The fire took hold it blazed and blazed What could be saved were saved The news spread fast, we organised quickly We marched and marched Linton kwesi Johnson was instrumental He became the voice of those who suffered in this blaze Enquiry after enquiry Still no closer to what happened that night There was some family issues, some family in fight When will the lies die? Who has to die before these lies stop breathing life? That night when 13 / 14 died In my heart it still cries and cries New Cross Fire Click on For More Info
I posted this poem on the 21st February. While I was writing it and each line was coming, I could just feel the excitement, by the time I had finished I was all tingly. If you write you will know what I mean.
#21 Let ME RAVE!
I want to to rave, I want to rave I want to queue in line shivering without my coat I want to get branded as a party girl I want to wait wait wait at the bar I want to look in men’s faces Just to give them screw faces When I say NO! they just won’t do I want to rave and be pressed against the wall I want to squeeze along the hall I want to feel that party rush I want to feel that party crush I want to dance till my feet hurt I want to dance two step while you do one I want to do my own thing in that ring I want to sing along to songs I’ve never heard Look in your face confidently so you never knew I want to drink Rum and Black, Bacardi and Malibu Never never caught with a can of Special Brew I want to look in DJ’s faces As they put records through their paces And get hypnotised by the spinning discs I want to lick wood I want lick shot Be confident no shot a comeback Oh how I long for those days I want a random man to take my hand And build a spliff or two I always wanted to dust my hand when he was through That would be funny but that I could never do I want to rave like back in the days In places that weren’t safe Step on a foot and you might get a right hook Well that was the pill I wanna rave when the only drug Is laughter and dances to the happy after Party that no one quite knew where it would be I wanna rave I wanna rave I never thought I would crave those days When raving was all I would do You went from one party, to another, to another Jumped in cars with people you never knew I want to step out to sunlight I want to flinch like a vampire As I try and workout what is this bright fire I want to sit on an early morning bus Meet people going to church Wearing my party dress with shoes in my hand How I long for those days Let me rave! Let me rave! Let me rave!
No raving for you darling Sit down eat your stew No raving here in the residential home Now that I am 92 Let me rave Let me rave
This was posted 19th February, this has got to be one of my most opinionated poems. I am seriously concerned with the amount we are spending on items of clothing. I remember when I was younger and I was going out probably once a week, to a house party or a club. I would regularly rave with the same group of girls, the week leading up to the night out, would be punctuated with long conversations of what they were going to wear, and where they have seen it and how much it would set them back but of course “THEY JUST HAD TO HAVE IT”. My friend Celia would go on at me as I wouldn't get involved in these conversations, I was a single parent working and barely making ends meet. I went out to relieve the boredom . I had a black dress maybe two, I could wear it just above my knee or a little higher up the thigh, it was some sort of lycra material (you remember lycra) I Luv Lycra! I could pull the shoulders down so it could be worn provocatively off the shoulders. One black dress many tricks . Now that's the kinda thing I can spend money on. I believe I am sensible with money. I remember being taught in Latin about Mensils hiearchy of needs. Basically most things in life are wants and desires, there are only three needs Need 1- Food Need 2- shelter Need 3 - More Money??? I will explain the last one. Only when you have had money and spent it do you know the value of it, so from then on your need is to acquire more money. Everything else is a want. There is no need to have in excess of lets say maybe 8 pairs of shoes in the case of my colleagues who demonstrated this 2 pairs of shoes (1 black , 1 brown) 2 pairs of boots (1 black, 1 brown) 2 pairs of trainers 1 pair of crocs yes I know it makes 7. I never said maths was my strong point in contrast his wife owned 57 pairs of shoes, which the ruthless reduced to 32 as she was able to put in a strong argument as to why that or this particular shoe should stay. 32 was still alot we both agreed. #18 Spending Frenzy Spending has got out of control Spending money you simply don’t own Its ok, you will put on the card How long can you keep up with this facade? How many items do you need? Three trousers, two skirts 1 suit 2 dresses a good pair of jeans Something for the summer when it comes A decent shirt that does all the way up That should be enough Everything else you could do without I’ve never understood the fascination with shoes Ladies this is directed to you Really don’t mean to be rude As for the handbags the teenie tiny And the grand Another fascination I don’t understand You are not Hilary Banks She was fictional and so was her Dad I’ve examined my anatomy I can report quite happily I only have two feet So truckloads of shoes in the cupboard Under the bed, even in the garden shed There are far better things To spend your money on instead I’ve looked around I am here to report Your shopping habits needs to be retaught This crazy spending has to stop Next time you get some money You may as well give it to me Or just burn the lot Look at what you’ve accumulated Add up all that you have got..... Yes! Shocking isn’t it? The total spend will make you drop You could be living in a better house Or cruising on your very own yacht Educated your children Then they would get a chance To become what you had not I understand the pull And how they lure you in We are seduced by the language They get you in a spin They’ve got you by the throat You need to say Let me go! let me go! Or you will be spending in you box!
This Poem was posted 17th February, I thought I would quickly rush into Next and buy something. I work so near Westfield Shopping centre, whenever, I am at a loose end, everyone's suggestion is to go shopping. How sexists because I am a Woman I must enjoy shopping. I find it laborious and a chore. I find the clothing unimaginative, expensive and often of poor quality ( My father was a tailor ) so the first thing I do with any item is feel the quality of the material. For example I recently purchased a grey tweed men's jacket 100% Wool, it is fantastic, it keeps me really warm. Also paid £14 yes £14 of course it was at charity shop, I was looking for a waistcoat and I came across it. Now that's quality, that's a bargain and its for a good cause. My daughter begrudgingly agreed it was nice although she thought I should Gok Wan it!? Yes add a large belt!? # 16 A Failure I feel such a failure The girl in the next cubicle announced I knew what she meant She had tried on several items Nothing fit right Some were too big others were too tight I was having a similar problem I wanted to shout out This blouse fits perfectly But this deceit will have to stop As this number is wrong This is not my size I haven’t come here, to be subjected to these lies Where is the manager? I would let him know That his sizes are wrong Whoever is writing out these labels Immediately they will have to go This cannot enter my home With its lying tag So I put the things back on the shelf My father was a taylor How difficult can it be? I am sure I can whip up something myself
