OHNOEEFATRHDE Celebrating Diverse Voices in Worcestershire ANTHOLOGY 2021
Foreword When we first started The Word Association CIC in 2019 we set out to help isolated, vulnerable and marginalised people to get their voices heard. We’ve gone on to work with various communities, including the LGBTQ+ community of Worcestershire, those on a journey to better mental health, probationers, offenders, those battling addiction, young people, survivors of abuse and other vulnerable groups. At the end of September 2021 we are proud to say that we will have produced 12 anthologies! Our facilitators and participants all find writing to be immensely cathartic and therapeutic. We also believe that sharing these poems with a wider audience may help others to feel understood, validated and less alone. For this anthology, we wanted to reflect and celebrate the diversity within our community. We invited people who had lived, studied or worked in Worcester to contribute a poem or two. We were overjoyed with the response and I’m sure you’ll agree that the quality of chosen poems is simply breath-taking. It’s a real pleasure to not only share the work of our current Worcestershire Poet Laureate Ade Couper – with his excellent community focused poetry – but also a selection of poems by current Worcestershire Young Poet Laureate Faith Taylor whose inspiring, heartfelt words really resound in these challenging times. You’ll also discover some beautiful poems from Poet Laureates past within these pages! A special shout out has to go to Jacob Slater, our youngest poet at just 11 years old, whose powerful poems kick-start the community voices section of the anthology. This project has been generously funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, as part of our larger anthology project. Please do get in touch if you are interested in our courses and our work. Holly Winter-Hughes Founding director of The Word Association CIC and Words To Live By project facilitator
Introduction When Holly asked me to write the introduction to this collection, my first thought was “I’m honoured”- my second was “okay, how do I do this?” So, here goes... Holly, Bite Poetry Press and The Word Association CIC have a history of producing some truly fabulous anthologies, and this one, celebrating the diversity of communities within Worcestershire, is as wonderful as the previous anthologies that have been produced with the LGBTI+ community, and people living with mental health issues. It is always a pleasure and a privilege to work with Holly, and I was truly honoured to be asked to contribute both a number of poems and the introduction to this anthology. One of my aims as Worcestershire Poet Laureate is to try and bring poetry to the many and diverse communities in Worcestershire, and this anthology definitely falls within that! It’s also a delight to see some poems from Faith Taylor, the current Worcestershire Young Poet Laureate, in this volume as well. I hope you enjoy the fabulous poems in this anthology - and hopefully it may inspire you to put pen to paper yourself? Remember, everyone is a poet, it’s just that some of us write them down! Ade Couper Worcestershire Poet Laureate 2021-22.
First published in the United Kingdom in 2021. © The Word Association and Words To Live By 2021 Each poet has asserted their right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the author of their work. All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. First published in the United Kingdom in 2021 by Bite Poetry Press. www.bitepress.co.uk First Edition Cover photography by Katy Evans Design by Gerard Hughes www.gerardhughes.co.uk Printed and bound in the UK by Biddles, Castle House East Winch Road, King’s Lynn PE32 1SF
ONE OF THE HEARD ANTHOLOGY 2021 Featuring the work of: Jacob Slater, Amanda Bonnick, Susan Davidson, Rhianna Levi, Leena Batchelor, Anne Hodnette, Tim Stavert, Sam West, Michelle Barnes, Peter Smith, David Whitworth, Anthony Wood, Mel Wardle Woodend, Laura Stephens, Zebbie Ann Perry, Paul Jeffery, Ali McIndoe, Granville Paul Orange, Neil Laurenson, James Thorp, Maggie Doyle, Charley Barnes, Maria De Stefano, Oliver Bliss and Jay Rose Ana. Generously funded by The National Lottery’s Community Fund Produced by The Word Association with
CONTENTS 13 ADE COUPER 15 We Are 16 Worcestershire 17 Do You Remember 1959? 18 Back Then... 20 On Pierpoint Street 23 FAITH TAYLOR 25 The Cover Is Not The Book 26 Anxiety 27 Take Risks, A Cinquain 28 Writers’ Block 29 You Matter, A Haiku 31 COMMUNITY VOICES 32 JACOB SLATER 32 An Unknown Place 33 Love Saved In A Folder 34 AMANDA BONNICK 34 Glad 36 SUSAN DAVIDSON 36 For All Our Sons 38 Ruth 40 RHIANNA LEVI 40 Worcester’s Streamline Symphony 41 Apple Born Tree 42 LEENA BATCHELOR 42 Easter Day Massacre – Sri Lanka 43 A Noble Silence 44 ANNE HODNETTE 44 Around the Corner (Chaddesley Corbett) 45 A Future (The Prince’s Trust)
46 TIM STAVERT 46 Ferns Of The Forest 47 Moving Waves 49 MICHELLE BARNES 49 My Forever 50 SJ STEVENS 50 Shell 52 PETER SMITH 52 Irish Street Musician 53 DAVID WHITWORTH 53 Malvernia 54 ANTHONY WOOD 54 Othering 58 MEL WARDLE 58 Home 59 Haunting 60 LAURA STEPHENS 60 The Flood 62 ZEBBIE ANN PERRY 62 Night Life! 67 PAUL JEFFERY 67 The Maze 68 MOGS Who’d Have Thought... 68 69 The Garden 70 ALI McINDOE 70 “I’m Thirteen” 73 On Forest Bathing In The Old Hills 74 GRANVILLE PAUL ORANGE 74 One Day I Shall Be Perfect 77 When All Is Said And Done →
78 NEIL LAURENSON 78 Disney Care 79 Paws Then Send 81 JAMES THORP 81 Rain 82 MAGGIE DOYLE 82 Adultery 83 Frozen Fashionista 85 CHARLEY BARNES 85 I Always Come Back Here 86 MARIA DE STEFANO 86 Ceci’s Shop 88 September 91 OLIVER BLISS 91 A Word Square To Live By 92 JAY ROSE ANA 92 What Will We Remember? 93 The Pendulum Swings
12 ONE OF THE HEARD
ADE COUPER Worcestershire Poet Laureate 2021-22 ONE OF THE HEARD 13
14 ONE OF THE HEARD
We Are Ade Couper We are disparate, But we are united. Our difference does not divide us, It unifies us, All different parts of the one whole. We are different – By age, By faith, By origin, By sex, By sexuality, By gender identity, By ability or disability. But – we accept our difference, We relish it, And – we care For each other, Regardless of difference. Let those who seek To divide us be aware: We are unity, We are community. I wrote this after my first gig since March 2020, at the Horizon Community Centre on Midland Road. It was wonderful to see all parts of a very diverse community joining together to celebrate, and that inspired this. ONE OF THE HEARD 15
Worcestershire Ade Couper Whether from the Forest, Redditch, Or the Vale, one thing’s sure: a place Rich in history, of battles, stately homes, a Cathedral standing tall, overlooking the Severn: Each town and village a unique community. Say what you will about our rural idyll, There are so many jealous of our places, Each town, village and city full of life. Remember where you’re from, a county Shaped by porcelain, fruit, needles and carpet. Have pride in this great diverse community, In the towns, and in the countryside. Respect yourself, and those you live alongside – Each and every one of us belongs here. This was me showing off basically – never really tried to do an acrostic before! 16 ONE OF THE HEARD
Do You Remember 1959? Ade Couper Do you remember 1959? The older folks still remember the time The Liverpool Goliath came To Worcester – to St George’s Lane Where the Worcester City David Sent them home again, Out of the cup And their tails between their legs. Pickings haven’t been as rich since: The Lane – now a housing estate, Relegations, ground-shares, negotiations, But – wherever the home games were – The fans were there. Not in Premier League numbers, true – But they were there – Still singing, Still willing them on. They’re back in the city now And maybe – just maybe – Their star will rise again, Another cup upset? Just like 1959... I thought a lot about the different types of community we have, and realised that one that doesn’t get that much of a look-in is sports fans. Here’s a poem about Worcester City FC, which I hope celebrates the fans. ONE OF THE HEARD 17
Back Then... Ade Couper We didn’t have Pride then – That was only in the big cities, London, Manchester, Brighton. There was one gay pub I knew of – The Potter’s Wheel, down Diglis – Long gone now, and a couple of others That were, if not gay-friendly, Then – tolerant – of us. We were very careful back then – AIDS was still a killer, Labelled the “gay plague”, And very much on our minds. Switchboard was our only source Of information and support, Along with the free papers And sexual health stuff you’d find In the monthly gay nights In a couple of the local pubs. People came here from miles around – Even up from Hereford. It was tough enough in the city So, God only knows What it was like out in the sticks! Things have changed so much In the last 30 years – We’ve had Worcester Pride And the students at the Uni (Still a teacher training college back then!) 18 ONE OF THE HEARD
I’m not jealous, More – relieved That Worcester is changing And we’re more accepted now. With this one, I thought I’d look at the LGBT+ community, but back as it was in the early 1990s. My best friend, Jem Price, came out around then, and these are his recollections of what it was like being gay in Worcester back then. He’s still gay, but now in Brighton... ONE OF THE HEARD 19
On Pierpoint Street Ade Couper It’s a rat-run in the centre of town; Students and solicitors, side by side, Taxis, wagons, Deliveroo drivers, All passing through this narrow artery. All life is here – on Pierpoint Street. Wetherspoons smokers, some drunk, some sober; Girls on the corner, trying to bum fags. You’ll hear English, Polish, Parsi, Urdu, See the unnoticed, doing what they do – Everyone goes down Pierpoint Street. Victorian terraces, modern flats, International House, the old telephone Exchange – solid amid the transient Traffic, soundtracked by the sound of the trains: Everybody’s here – on Pierpoint Street. An ordinary street in the middle of town – just happens to be the street I live on... 20 ONE OF THE HEARD
ONE OF THE HEARD 21
22 ONE OF THE HEARD
FAITH TAYLOR Worcestershire Young Poet Laureate 2021-22 ONE OF THE HEARD 23
24 ONE OF THE HEARD
The Cover Is Not The Book Faith Taylor A cover is not the book That’s not true Girls must like pink; boys must like blue. Don’t tell me that That’s simply a stereotype. Girls wear dresses but Boys wear trousers and People will say that It doesn’t matter If girls are boyish and boys are girly, But it does – it’s the root of insecurity. A stereotype doesn’t do any harm Everyone thinks that You should be yourself. No. Stick to the status quo. Now read from the bottom to the top ONE OF THE HEARD 25
Anxiety Faith Taylor I am alone in a room crowded with people; My heartbeat is louder than the crowd And I cannot comprehend anything being said For my mind is racing more than my pulse. My stomach is hanging from a thread, Dangling over a cliff’s edge, As it sways back and forth in cycles. My head aches as I try to regain control of my shaking legs and my trembling hands To be able to fidget with something – anything – to distract myself from my thoughts. I feel bloated And sick And tired And as though I could collapse at any moment. The people surrounding me in my emptiness wouldn’t think to know That I am being tormented by my mind, Overthinking every change in my body as I beg for the thread holding my stomach to stop swaying And for the room crowded with people to feel less lonely. 26 ONE OF THE HEARD
Take Risks, a Cinquain Faith Taylor The best Of memories Are made when you step out Of your comfort zone and when you Take risks ONE OF THE HEARD 27
Writer’s Block Faith Taylor I Have a Writer’s block. It becomes tough To write when I am Staring at a blank page Hoping that the words will flow And create the poem I know Is written deep in my brain somewhere. It acts like an anchor, pulling me down, Preventing my poem from moving onward. I need to lift the weight to be able to sail And glide across the ocean, my pen surfing the page, Finally writing the poem that was flooding my mind. 28 ONE OF THE HEARD
You Matter, a Haiku Faith Taylor We’re all characters In someone else’s story What you do matters. ONE OF THE HEARD 29
30 ONE OF THE HEARD
COMMUNITY VOICES ONE OF THE HEARD 31
An Unknown Place Jacob Slater (age 11) this special place, is our place but no longer at our pace fixed to the ground, our embrace our love orbits deepest space place your hand upon my face my heart slowly begins to race you always held the truest grace let our hearts always be encased 32 ONE OF THE HEARD
Love Saved In A Folder Jacob Slater (age 11) love saved in a folder gets colder and older the past forever folding memories in a junk holder history found in a folder love in the eyes of the beholder the past is deleting the future feels fleeting ONE OF THE HEARD 33
Glad Amanda Bonnick Sing with me; I’m happy this way. I’m the best woman of both best women and we stand before God in Her image and laugh at our freedom. Friends sugar the aisle with confetti like a Rosetti painting. Sing with me; I’m happy this way. Not all marriage lines are straight – ours are bent to the future’s horizon and we rewrite the old words with love, and backward-scattered bouquets of lily and rose and carnation. Sing with me; I’m happy this way. So here we are and here they all are – convention upside down but still convention; aunts in hats, boys in suits, uncles in their caps and ancient grandmas who smile because they know love when they see it. Sing with me; I’m happy this way. But who pays? The father of which bride? but they both divvied up, with pride, dived in, like we did, like you did; we never had same sex, we had game sex, wild sex, brave and loud and out and proud. 34 ONE OF THE HEARD
Sing with me; I’m happy this way. Despite a headache behind the eyes from the hen-night bender. I was gender-blind drunk when we first met but now I am dazed with love and fear of this giant step for humankind but you are warming me with your handhold, your sideways glances that say ‘This is us, this is me, don’t worry, it’s just love we’re making, not history.’ ONE OF THE HEARD 35
For All Our Sons Susan Davidson I hope my son can live in a world Where his ability to express his feelings Does not leave him open to ridicule Or accusation of unmanliness I hope he never has to die a hero’s death Or kill another man to prove his worth I hope he never feels he has to down As many pints as other men just to count I hope he never feels he has to hold His sadness inside until it breaks him Open like a burst tyre and sends him Off the road and into dangerous terrain I hope he can hold his head high and Say ‘I am a man, I feel pain and joy And tenderness, and I have love in My heart, enough for all the world Or for just one person’. And I hope That if he finds that person he won’t Have to worry about whether they are The ‘right’ gender or class or colour I hope he loves them with all his heart And I hope they love him equally I hope they can follow their hopes and Dreams together whatever they may be 36 ONE OF THE HEARD
And I hope he can wear just what he Wants to wear without fear or judgment I hope he doesn’t have to hide anything From the world or from his friends I hope he gets to be his best authentic Self all of the time and when life Is rough I hope he has someone to cuddle Who will let him cry when he needs to I hope he is never ashamed to show The world his wonderful, sensitive Caring, creative, sunny, funny self And I hope he laughs and dances often My lovely, lovely son I’m proud to be your Mum ONE OF THE HEARD 37
Ruth Susan Davidson Sometimes grief takes you by surprise After years of coming to terms with loss Of deciding to be grateful for her presence in your life Of thinking only of the happy memories and celebrating her light Grief lances you, shears through your being so completely That everything else is driven out And you have to find a quiet place to sob Because no amount of talking could ever express your feelings well enough And you specifically, absolutely do not want anyone to tell you that she would not have wanted to see you like this 38 ONE OF THE HEARD
ONE OF THE HEARD 39
Worcester’s Streamline Symphony Rhianna Levi Rolling current of the sung Severn attains all our endeavours, Inspiring us to be better. Nature’s lover is kindness – kindness meanwhile is our companion. Rustling whisperings of the Worcester river help maintain such things. Climbing cracks in pavements have encouraged wordsmiths, Those bats in the architecture are rich examples of life. I have never been so appreciative of even diminutive delights. I lust for these grown flowers to grow intertwined with my palms: These leaves to mould themselves on my freckled skin. Even if centuries pass before then, I hope for you to feel the same. To dream of becoming an element of Worcester’s domain. 40 ONE OF THE HEARD
Apple Born Tree Rhianna Levi There is dedication in an apple born tree, Shifting. Quivering. Looking for its own seams. Ecstatic in the life it gives, the life it cradles under both the tropical and dreary. Those roots clutch with force. Never contaminated by hell’s heart. Drowning is not an option, that same apple born tree models resilience. Hands move at night, so monumental out of plain sight. That apple born tree, displays of trust and unwariness, A leader. An alpha. Never forget that apple born tree. ONE OF THE HEARD 41
Easter Day Massacre – Sri Lanka Leena Batchelor - Worcester Poet Laureate 2020-21 Bright lights are yet again extinguished in a blaze of misbegotten hatred, A glory of killing and death. Hollowness now echoes around bells that ring silent and crack hearts, Eggshells of hope crumbled into dust. Holidays that will never return home, laughter that dries on the lips and takes the breath From the very air we breathe. Party mayhem and joy crippled into carnage as the blasts cut through the cakes of peaceful celebration, For what? Who in that group were personally responsible for the birth of anger and retaliation? No pure religion would condone in truth this mindless slaughter. No, pure religion would not, But that perverted by human kind would. Human kind? The biggest misnomer alive for there is nothing kind in this gesture at a time of Easter goodwill, The only rebirth is a spawning of hatred that should not be allowed to survive. 42 ONE OF THE HEARD
A Noble Silence Leena Batchelor - Worcester Poet Laureate 2020-21 I can’t breathe, the song he sent to the angels. The song of all those oppressed. In silence, we hold our breath. In silence, we await the execution of justice. In their silence, freedom cannot breathe. We cannot breathe, the song we send to the angels. Written following the tragic and awful death of George Floyd, 25th May 2020, when a US police officer knelt on his neck ONE OF THE HEARD 43
Around the Corner (Chaddesley Corbett) Anne Hodnette Chaddesley’s pretty streets, corralled by half-timbered houses, are empty today. Inside St Cassian’s a Priest slumbers on his stone pillow. A mail-clad Knight, sword ready, rests weary feet upon his dog. Old haunts revisited are never quite the same. The cricket pitch hides, we know not where. In shadow of Church a closed café, a pub, doors locked. Still we linger, enchanted by riotous cottage gardens and sudden scent of rose. Around the corner, beyond reach of Church and Crown, a new world. A young orchard, gate open, invites all to ‘Help Yourself’. Fallen fruits from tethered trees lie scattered in long grass. In neglected ruts and ridges, golden promise and ripe blush. A meander along tumps and hollows, slowing to fill pockets. Content, warmed by the late autumn sun, replete with simplicity and solitude, we drowse, harvest gathered. 44 ONE OF THE HEARD
A Future (The Prince’s Trust) Anne Hodnette Victorian formality still reigns in this Council Chamber, where protocol prevails and privilege is power. You explain the workings of hair weaves, Snapchat, clicks, concepts that we cannot grasp. A world that is not ours. There is a gulf in years and minds that nothing can bridge... except a quiet conviction that presents possibilities, instils belief in a future that, one day, we might share. The Prince’s Trust charity was founded in 1976 to help young disadvantaged people. Would-be entrepreneurs present their business plans for funding to an Enterprise Launch Panel, comprising of volunteers and which, on this occasion, was held in Kidderminster Council Chamber. ONE OF THE HEARD 45
Ferns Of The Forest Tim Stavert A sea of green, moving side to side, the ferns move in the wind, like waves dancing in the tide. Sunbeams shine through, from the heavens to the floor, with vibrant colours of a rainbow, reflect through the forest door. As a creature I enter into the darkness, between two trees lining up with the sun, like I am gliding through water, my adventure has just begun. Ferns brush aside with every step, making way for me to roam into the darkness of the forest, the place I call my home. 46 ONE OF THE HEARD
Moving Waves Tim Stavert Cool wind blowing through my mind, With the spray from the ocean’s waves, Refreshing the soreness of my sunburnt skin. I look along the shoreline at the surf, Being blown like white horses galloping along the beach, In waves of mist reflecting the evening sun. I make my way into ankle deep water and feel, Every incoming wave wash up to my knees, Making me gasp for air as I freeze. I recall the white horses from long ago, I would get on my surf board and ride, When the moving waves wash past with the tide. Now I am dreaming of the beauty and power, Of Mother Nature and the sea, The ideal adventure for you and me. ONE OF THE HEARD 47
48 ONE OF THE HEARD
My Forever Michelle Barnes Some say it starts with a kiss... But I know different to this... He approached me when I was just ten... Offering a toffee... Which were hard to come by then... I thought why not, I’ll give it a try... Since then it was always about me and him... That’s where life truly did begin... We would go for walks or catch a bus... Look at houses that we longed for us. We had children who we truly adored... Didn’t matter how many, we’d open our doors... Treated all equally by ourselves and our Dad... We saw smiles on them... That we thought they didn’t have... They were our life... We would listen to them play... Not ever would they be in the way... When they felt at ease and wanted to stay... They captured our hearts in another way... Another journey together of fun laugh and play... One day we found out where we were meant to be... The house we dreamed of became reality... We couldn’t believe it... We worked really hard... Memories so many in the house and the yard... Forever in my heart this journey will be... My thanks, my love, now you’ve been taken to the sky... With a hole in my heart... Tears still I will cry... But I’m thankful... So thankful... To have had him with me... My whole life, my perfect reality... Xx Dedicated to Jan Ford on the loss of her husband Tony Ford - 25th July 2021 ONE OF THE HEARD 49
Shell SJ Stevens A heavy weight straddled her heart it strangled and choked until her spirit did part. When I leave and float around, it is then that I realise she is but a shell, moving and walking but going through hell. I shout at her, “Get angry, please cry—” Her mind is switched off all feelings have died. I gazed at our baby wrapped in foil and tubes the last thing to agree on... Should they be removed? Her close ones gather around, she listens and waits with an expressionless frown. Sat on the sidelines while they hug her; for a moment animated not really the cure. I try to go back, she could do with me there her wall is too thick; she does not care. The specialist came to state his concerns, we already knew, did not need to learn. It was Meningitis that had put her there. I flew to the doctor screamed at him with rage, “It was only a virus the other day!” It fell on deaf ears and he just gazed at the shell before him and back to his page. The room filled with people. Her partner was sick, once more leaving her to deal with it. The doctor removed all the tubes and leads, allowing her baby to finally sleep. I watched baby’s consciousness rise her little body unable to thrive. The shell whispered, “See-ya“ like the movie Ghost. For a moment even I thought, “Oh please... not that stupid quote.” 50 ONE OF THE HEARD
Search
