Racism and the power structures which dictate our lives have always been there, but lockdown means that there is nowhere to hide – people cannot ignore what they … Continue reading Language and Power. Wise and virtuous the plaque assured us. If you’re not sure: ask. nothing but air. I use cookies to help the website to function well and to improve my services. But the air is gently throbbing with newness. Take care, until next time, may your lives be filled with poetry. moves like smoke, Colston, ... BUY MY NEW POETRY COLLECTION. His entire fortune was built on the systematic enslavement, murder and rape of enslaved Africans. punk ballet. glistening under the stubborn rust of your name. His poems have been published widely in journals including Poetry Review, The Rialto, Butcher’s Dog, Under the Radar, Coast to Coast to Coast, Envoi and Magma, in Bristol 247, and online. I’ll be back with more poems in two weeks’ time. Lie dumb in the rising mist, and hold in place

in those who understood my work; Breath and flesh Standing ovation on the platform of your neck shining in the sun Wet washing. It’s a good idea to whitelist www.ornaross.com to ensure you get my emails. I don’t have the text to reproduce here but you can read it on his Instagram account. Teachers are the most resilient, … Continue reading Time for a change, This astonishing poem was written by Vanessa Kisuule, the Bristol City Poet, in June 2020 in response to the destruction of the statue of Edward Colston, a slaver.

Hollow by Vanessa Kisuule. There is no poem more succinct than that. We lose out and are bereaved politically, socially, in all sorts of ways across time. these words behind, And my final poem is for the mother of my dear friend Marianne whom we lost at the weekend. The next poem is New Day by Chris Black, also known as The Wexford Poet. ‘Hollow’ by Vanessa Kisuule. it holds the sun…” And then stops A major BBC poetry festival called Contains Strong Language comes from Cumbria next week.. on that pink petal there, the way But still I ask that when you do, And a Black Lives Matter protest that led to one slave trader statue being taken down, with quite a splash, as you’ll see in this poem by Bristol City poet, Vanessa Kisuule. the righteous wrench of two ropes in a grand plie. Dear one whom I have loved,   They can be quick, filthy, naive, sullen, sweet or downright dangerous argues A Recipe for Sorcery author Vanessa Kisuule. The truth is Jason B. Crawford’s poem, in protest of the exclusionary pressures that occur at the intersections of class and race in rooms across America, that have been occurring since 1619, and that, despite all efforts, have by no means ceased to exist. along the street of need. Podcast, Inspirational Poetry, I’d love to hear what you think. These are terms which I am comfortable with, but not everybody likes them, and everyone has the right to be described in whichever way they choose. More details at OrnaRoss.com/submit. So I thought I’d do our session tonight in commemoration of my dear, beautiful, artistic friend, who was so full of life and grace and elegance, I cannot believe we won’t get to meet again.

the birth family where for me Creative Writing: Indie Poetry Please! haunted by bones. The aim of #indiepoetryplease is to introduce viewers to some of the most exciting, inspiring, and dynamic voices working in poetry today. And a Black Lives Matter protest that led to one slave trader statue being taken down, with quite a splash, as you’ll see in this poem by Bristol City poet, Vanessa Kisuule. here, in the pit of chaos with the rest of us. with the clang of toy guns, loose change. Racism and the power structures which dictate our lives have always been there, but lockdown means that there is nowhere to hide – people cannot ignore what they … Continue reading Language and Power. Vanessa has also offered the poem to teachers as a teaching tool. With the knowledge of years as she recalls that he—the only one are permanent. Take your twisted glory and feed it to the tadpoles. You can read more about the latest City Poet commissions, projects and lots more on the Festival of Ideas Bristol City Poet Blog. Getting started in September with Y11 is always a challenge, even if they have been your class in Y10 and they’ve had a really consistent diet. Support Me on Patreon . I had the privilege, years ago, of working on her book To Keep the Light Burning, Reflections in Time of Loss. You came down easy in the end and inside I've never been prouder to be Bristol City Poet & to offer a poem to my adopted city than I am today. Countless times I passed that plinth Orna Ross is an award-winning novelist and poet, advocate for self-publishing and, as Director of the Alliance of Independent Authors, "one of the 100 most influential people in publishing" (The Bookseller). Kids will write raps to that syncopated splash. ‘Hollow’ by Vanessa Kisuule This astonishing poem was written by Vanessa Kisuule, the Bristol City Poet, in June 2020 in response to the destruction of the statue of Edward Colston, a slaver. He’s gone. passing through, beside you, all the brighter for her tears. But still you are permanent. City Poet Vanessa Kisuule has responded to the toppling of the statue of Edward Colston at a Black Lives Matter protest on 7 June 2020 with a new poem that has been praised by writers Malorie Blackman and Philip Pullman, MP Dawn Butler and people across the city. with the clang of toy guns, loose change We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us.

a rain of cheers.

corkscrewed, then met the ground To stay—as she knows he This whole time you cry with all the others Websites Reading poetry with children from poetryfoundation.org Benjamin Zephaniah reads ‘People Need People’ on the One Show; Nyla performs her poem at a Black Lives Matter protest; Vanessa Kisuule performs ‘Hollow’ all from YouTube.com Grass head and butterflies Patterning; something, If you’re a poet and would like to submit a poem for consideration, tag your poem with #indiepoetryplease.

VANESSA KISUULE . This is a summary of this fortnight’s #indiepoetryplease, my Instagram TV poetry reading, in which I read some of my own poetry and some poems from other indie poets I admire. This weekend, I lost a dear friend Marianne and I am finding that poetry is, as ever, a huge consolation at such a time. This poem is from that collection and I’d like to thank her for it, and for her beautiful daughter who was, as her husband said at her funeral, “simply the best person I ever met”.

His entire fortune was built on the systematic enslavement, murder and rape of enslaved Africans. Blood to sugar to money to bricks. Please check your email for further instructions. Now no blasting, Hero. Please comment in, Latest News and Resources from ALLi – Week 29 2020. They took such care with that stately pose and propped chin. By Vanessa Kisuule Take up space Don’t wait for permission or approval Don’t let ghostly question marks Haunt the ends of your sentences You don’t always have to be the one Laughing at the jokes You can make them, too And not just about sex or diets or tampons You are not the wing tip tick on a quota list # GGVKPI HQQVPQVG QP VJG PCN RCIG https://www.facebook.com/lyrabristol/videos/666098560837074 Please check your email for further instructions. and there remain Hollow. Victors wish history odourless and static Standing ovation on the platform of your neck. You could request an ode to your favourite restaurant, park or club or a cherished community leader. chains. like saliva in a hungry mouth. I DON'T mine your data for marketing purposes. someone. Register here for an alert. And over the hanging barley If you’re not sure: ask. Only poppies scream, but muted,

Something went wrong. you There is no poem more succinct than that. a rain of cheers. she knows there’s nothing for it now

will never see such things again. There is no poem more succinct than that. Letters into the moist air. for all that you have done.

——- my time has run. “Look,” she starts to say.

its rants of pain. If you haven’t received an email, check your spam folder. ‘Hollow’ by Vanessa Kisuule June 9, 2020 by funkypedagogy, posted in Uncategorized This astonishing poem was written by Vanessa Kisuule, the Bristol City Poet, in June 2020 in response to the destruction of the statue of Edward Colston, a slaver. These are terms which I am comfortable with, but not everybody likes them, and everyone has the right to be described in whichever way they choose. And who carved you? You came down easy in the end. List. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. You who perfected the ratio. Details of the 2020 Bristol City Poet Handover event are on the blog. Who knew? it all began. Please refresh the page and/or try again. Send an email to zoe.steadmanmilne@businesswest.co.uk with your request. And to remind you: I am not gone. And when you yearn for our times gone,

Ugh! Teachers are the most resilient, … Continue reading Time for a change, This astonishing poem was written by Vanessa Kisuule, the Bristol City Poet, in June 2020 in response to the destruction of the statue of Edward Colston, a slaver. Blood to sugar to money to bricks. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Kisuule has generously given her permission for anyone to use the poem … Continue reading ‘Hollow’ by Vanessa Kisuule, The brutal murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on 25th May this year has sparked an outpouring of grief and anger which has reverberated around the world. punk ballet. I love what I do, but it's pretty tough to support myself as a full time artist. corkscrewed, then met the ground.