THE ZEPHANIAH FOREST: 65 POEMS FOR 65 TREES FOR 65 YEARS
We are calling for submissions for our Benjamin Zephaniah legacy forest poetry competition! We are asking all of you creative Brummies to submit a poem on the theme of nature and Benjamin, and 65 of these poems will be associated with a particular tree on the Zephaniah Tree Trail that will be created after the mini forest in Burbury Park has been planted. We are also encouraging entrants to donate towards the fundraising pledge, which can be found here: https://www.spacehive.com/grow-the-benjamin-zephaniah-forest
We will be working with the incredibly talented Bradley Taylor during the approach towards the upcoming planting season, where he and our Engagement Officer Katy (who are co-hosting creative workshops with Open Door in Bromford on the 27th July & 10th August) will be drumming up some fantastic community engagement events in and around the area, to highlight the current beauty of Birmingham’s green spaces, offer nature-inspired outdoor poetry workshops, and draw attention to the benefits these new trees will bring – in Benjamin’s name – to a community where he grew up with his family.
Submit your poem here. If you’d like to record yourself reading Benjamin’s ‘Trees Please’ for us to post on our socials during this time, or record yourself reading your poetry submission for this project, please send the videos to [email protected], or upload them via the submissions form. If watch Bradley Taylor reading his poetic response to ‘Trees Please’ for BBC News West Midlands Today’s Yvonne Brissett, you’ll get an idea, but we don’t expect you to buy a new camera!
The Brummie Bard Keith Bracey, who will also be working with us during this project, has enthusiastically provided another one of the first submissions, and has kindly given permission to share with everyone, so let’s get the ball rolling…
BENJAMIN ZEPHANHIGHER – THE ELEVATED SOUL
He was the Rasta, the Masta Blasta
Who hailed from Newtown Brum
His spiritual mind was sublime
Made him come up with rhyme
Turned down the OBE
Coz he loved his Community
Brutality in his History
Slavery in the family
Uprooted and transported
Distorted and deported
Benji said “No Blacks, No Whites”
All Souls deserve their Human rights
Benji was given an Honorary Degree
Like his friend Lenny Henry
A similar age, around 65, when
Benji taken, being so alive.
Passing peacefully in his bed
Rhyming round the tumour in his head
Surrounded by his family
Watching with humility.
Now he’s looking down on us
Watching like Preacher “Jimmy” Jesus
Looking over The Garrison
In his beloved Birmingham
- Brummie Bard, Keith Bracey