The Lambeth that made me
i’m hoping I won’t lose them in metaphors
sometimes the literal isn’t fit for all
but these memories aren’t miniscule
i got my principles from what felt like a mini school
from the back streets to the main roads
the friday nighters who swear they ain’t cold
to the preachers and self-worth teachers who saved souls
i got my life lessons from the strength of the people
we went from boys to men, men to mandem
friends to fam, side roads felt like landings
houses like rooms, every single one had a place in this home
you helped raise the kids known for the rep that proceeds you
still I saw all the seeds you would so and so
i know they blossomed in so and so
like they blossomed in me true
though we don’t own the land we cultivated your frame
pumped art through your arteries, culture in your veins
in this landing place for baby sheep
we acquired the skills to lead
and helped turn an Island to a Weland
look what the Grandparents did
made sure Identity didn’t die in diversity
look what the Parents did
Poet Laureate for Lambeth is to help capture and share the lived
experience of a whole generation
a platform to push and promote elevation
because storytelling is a key to our own preservation
Creative connections
“I’ve been Poet Laureate for Lambeth since last October. It’s been a pleasure re-connecting as a writer and creative with the borough I grew up in. As my themes are identity and community, and in line with the Windrush 75 anniversary this year, I’ll be putting together an exhibition and anthology of stories and prose to celebrate key moments in the borough since the Windrush generation. It’s due to be launched later this year and will culminate in an exhibition of history, of community, of celebration, of culture for you, for me, for us, because storytelling is a key to our own preservation.
“Watch this space for more on the project and how you can get involved coming soon”.
More information
See Abstract Benna’s new video with the message “Storytelling is a key to our own preservation”
- Abstract Benna – Lambeth Poet Laureate – YouTube
- Benna – Poet Laureate RFH v6 on Vimeo
- abstractbenna.com
