Whitechapel
Written by Michael Rosen
in
Poetry
Poetry
It goes on one at a time,
it starts when you care to act,
it starts when you do it again after they said no,
it starts when you say we and know who you mean,
and each day you mean one more.Marge Piercy
Aldermaston
Written by Michael Rosen
in
Poetry
Two Poems by Lisa Kelly
Written by Lisa Kelly
in
Poetry
Last Man to Leave the Ice Factory Ice was no chin-chin thing to keep a drink cold;ice was business, titanic big, tonnes crushedfor the trawlers to keep fish fresh in the holdtides away from land. Now machines are hushed;then, up at four we were, 20 waggons waitingfor 20 tonnes of…
November Paris Blue
in
Poetry
Written by
Salena Godden
Written after the Paris attacks, November 2015 It is a blue November dawnI imagine a day without conflictIt looks like a globe of lightWith an absence of shadowA world filled with wonder and colour and joyI close my eyes to soar and fly above the cities we grieve I don't…
Two Poems by Owen Gallagher
in
Poetry
Written by
Owen Gallagher
The Accumulation of Capital Marx and Engels almost drained this bar in Soho,finishing ‘The Manifesto of the Communist Party’.Thirsting for another round, I consider pickpockets,not the ones working streets and malls,or those in pulpits pilfering what’s left in minds,but the one kitted out like a toff,currently lifting my friend’s wallet.…
Muslims Say Sorry! The poetry of Amir Darwish
in
Poetry
Written by
Mike Quille
Wars rage in the Middle East. The US and its allies pursue their policies of economic and military aggression, regime change, and the deliberate fomenting of chaos, instability and hardship. Refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants are forced to flee, towards the richer countries of Europe, whose wealth has been…
Lions After Slumber: six poems by Peter Branson and one from Daniel Defoe
in
Poetry
Written by
Peter Branson
Lions after slumber for Maxine Peake, who read Shelley's ‘The Mask of Anarchy’ in Manchester D’you recognise them, university?They’re playing hunt the beggar, light cigars -'It’s only money' - festival of fools.Their greed’s a virtue: let me get this right,one day, if we don’t kick against the pricks,no promises, some…
Little Mosque Poems
Written by Mohja Kahf
in
Poetry
Little Mosque PoemsBy Mohja Kahf In my little mosquethere is no room for me to pray.I am turned away faithfullyfive times a day My little mosque:so meagrein resources, yetso eagerto turn awaya woman or a stranger My little mosqueis penniless, behind on rentYet it is rich in anger—every Friday, coins…
The Responsible Bomb
Written by Andy Summers
in
Poetry
A short message inspired by a British politician discussing bombing Syria on BBC Radio 5, November 2015 I am the Syrian childAwaiting the British Responsible Bomb.Each day I wake and rush to my windowHoping to catch a glimpse as it fallsI want to welcome it with open armsBecause it keeps…
A Strong and Stiffly Worded Letter Should Do the Trick
Written by Salena Godden
in
Poetry
Dear war makers and war takers, twitchy button pushers and mushroom cloud worshippers,bomb botherers and gun polishers,chemical weapon wielders and coup-cooers,battle cry criers and army gatherers,bullet loaders and knife sharpeners,death collators, chief whips and spins anddear kings and dear lords and dear right honourables.To all the dear Mr Presidents and…