It’s all about the roots…

Benjamin Zephaniah, dub poet, musician, actor and activist, was a Birmingham symbol of creativity and freedom, propelling Brummies further onto the international stage with his prolific and profound poetry. Universally recognised for his unique approach to his craft – being third on the list of Britain’s favourite poets – having been offered along the way a British Honour (that he refused), Zephaniah’s death shook the foundations of the local and wider community. That’s why his youngest brother – David Springer – contacted Birmingham TreePeople on behalf of the whole family at the Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group, in the hope of carrying on this iconic legacy through his love of trees and nature.

Growing up in a large, loving family with seven siblings, David explained that their usual ‘stomping grounds’ were Newtown, Nechells, Aston, and some of Lozells and Handsworth. With its good number of tree-pit locations, Newtown’s Burbury Park is the new home for The Zephaniah Forest: a 65-strong conglomerate of poetry-tagged, community-consulted, and communally planted trees, to commemorate the life and works of Benjamin Zephaniah – 65 trees for the 65 years of Benjamin’s inspirational life.

Alongside Benjamin’s dedicated family members, Birmingham TreePeople plan to work with other prominent individuals from across the city as well as nature, community and arts groups, so we can plant this mini forest in his name, and over the years it will have the potential to grow further. By working with the communities within which these trees will be planted, we hope to ensure their long-term care and establishment, ensuring the dedicated memorial forest continues to grow and thrive for years to come.

The trees will be tagged and documented using TreePlotter software, alongside a Tree Trail to follow the newly planted trees, and with dedicated poems associated with each one. Raising awareness and engagement for the competition, we have worked with Bradley Taylor, an incredible and prominent poet in Birmingham, and long-time admirer of Benjamin. The Trees Please, Poetry Please? competition, named after Benjamin’s Trees Please, will be judged by David Springer (BZFLG), Charlotte McDermott (BTP), and Zakariye Abdillahi (external poetry community) by the end of January 2025, for a poetree ceremony to be held in the park.

Qian Zephaniah planted the very first tree in memory of her beloved husband on the 23rd November (the beginning of National Tree Week), with twin trees lining the front of the park for Benjamin and his twin sister Velda. David Springer and other family members planted their trees on 20th December. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this happen, or contributed towards Benjamin’s legacy in Newtown, and we’re not finished just yet, so you’d better watch this space!

We crowdfunded for The Zephaniah Forest; our initial fundraising link can be found here, and we especially welcome other organisations’ support and involvement with the community memorial project, to create a legacy forest for a legend in the heart of his home city. Groups such as Burbury Park Community Forum and Birmingham Empowerment Forum are helping us ensure these trees for Benjamin thrive within the community for years to come.

Trees Please, Poetry Please? competition is now closed. Poems will be judged by David Springer (Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group), Charlotte McDermott (Birmingham TreePeople), and Zakariye Abdillahi (external poetry community). Winning poets will be notified by the end of January 2025. A gathering will be planned in Burbury Park, to adorn the trees and share poetree amongst nature, in memory of Benjamin Zephaniah. Thank you to everyone who submitted their poetree! Images of the 65 trees in The Zephaniah Forest and their poems will eventually be documented here, as well as on TreePlotter to follow The Zephaniah Poetree Trail.

Zephaniah, Man of Men – CM

We have enough Kings and Pharaohs and
Leaders – what about a man?
A man of the people, of family and nation,
Of composition and poetry and passion –
Forget Ozymandias, King of Kings,
Withering away in a silicate wasteland,
Released from worship and remembrance,
Sands of time eroding a stone crown.

What about a man? Zephaniah,
Man of men, purveyor of dub and verse,
Creator of word, reggae, and rhyme,
Words that withstand the tests of time
That no sand can destroy, and the crown
Never slips or chips, remains intact,
For all to see, steadfast, for all of time,
Where Kings are eclipsed by the morals of Man.