Published in 2012 by Wordjar Publishing No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written

permission from the publisher except for the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. www.wordjar.com wordjarpublishing@gmail.com Facebook: Wordjar Twitter: Wordjar Wordjar Publishing. London Edited by: Kimberley Kasirowore (Wordjar Publishing) Designed by: Kelvin Akposoe (Wordjar publishing)

Foreword London 2012. The mere mention of location and date together bring to many memories of celebrated events hosted in the city. The 2012 Games of the XXX Olympiad, the Royal Wedding and Queens Diamond Jubilee, all contributed to perpetuating the perception of London as an elegant, sophisticated and multicultural city. Fantastic as this may seem, these iconic events were marred by the nightmare that were the citys riots just ten months prior. Following the completion and publication of WordJars identity focused Who Am I anthology, the team felt that an anthology exploring the true identity of centre staged London would best follow. This anthology works to reflect the opinions possessed by the mixed multitudes that reside either side of the Thames banks. The following poets were called to play minds eye tour guides, by taking readers on a worded journey through their backyard metropolis. Authenticity was essential on this project, and it is to be noted that working with these poets felt a lot less like work, and a lot more like conversation. It is for their efforts that I give them thanks, and yours for giving the audience. Kimberley Kasirowore Editor Wordjar

CONTENTS
Like London A force to be reckoned with Inner City Rainbow London is Burning London London Lonely 3 5 7 9 12 15

CITY

SHADES

Like London
by Andrew Isabirye If youre not careful London will get the best of you...

To be constantly under construction, like London. Is to be; Constantly un-content with your net worth. Constantly self-conscious of your public appearance. Constantly in the shadow of the pretence of your name. If youre not careful, this city will get the best of you To be constantly under construction, like London. Is to be; Constantly attuned to the spaces around you. Constantly connected with the peoples of the world. Constantly under the influence of the magic which gives Bricks, mortar, steel and glass a life of their own. * If youre careful, this city could get the best of you To be constantly under construction, like London. Is to try and fail, and now here you are, under a temporary housing estate, Soon to be knocked down and replaced - by luxury apartments, And you are relocated to NW8, Thinking about all this city has put you through, Yet still thinking; scheming of a plan, entitled and underlined London; I will get the best of you

Andrew Isabirye

A force to be reckoned with

by Shenece Liburd Chapped lips, cracked lips, the wind cracks it, whip...

Chapped lips, cracked lips, the wind cracks it, whip. The blustering, blistering witch like a snitch, as our secrets slip, slither through the crevices the corners of the council houses, peering overing the terraces trespassing it is. our lives it skips, never ceasing, ever increasing. Watches, whispers, waiting in the wing. The pigeons croak, they dont churp, they envy the exotic birds sing, chanting. Flapping their decrepid wing, no fight no flight, theres no use in waving the useless and paining. Curled up on the balcony, sheltered from the peircing sting. What an evil thing, its force not to be reckoned with, it has the power of a king, youre just a pawn in play, left pining - waiting for the opponent to win. But this isnt the ending, your still defending. Under the skin, pounding adrenalin. You will overcome, as you gather strength from within. Shenece Liburd

Inner City Rainbow

by Anthony Lyrics If you believe in yourself, the citys shade will support you as you grow...

A young girl becoming a single mother gives birth to her baby Violet, Whilst her babys father sells drugs; deferring ambitions of becoming a pilot. On the other side of town, a greedy banker waits as the lights turn Yellow Ecstatic about gambling the nations money to leaves us mourning like Othello. As the news breaks, so does the will of the youth burning Red, Rioting the streets with rage as some tweet their inventory before bed. All across the city, everyone tries to avoid the clutch of the Blue, As figures reveal, London is becoming another crime filled South Central. Yet, despite the negativity, kids still aspire to change the world and live Green, Surviving to make a better way; striving to fulfil their dreams. And some students do beat the debt, and invest in a brighter future like Orange. Making their way up corporate ladders with others to leave the opportunity door unhinged. Destiny and fortune are abstract concepts like the colour Indigo, If you believe in yourself, the Citys Shades will support you as you grow. Anthony Lyrics

London is Burning
by Gloria Ede London a twisted kaleidoscope, of hope, fears and dreams...

London. Live here all of your life But still feel like a tourist I find myself walking on the left And standing on the right. Your right. Much to the annoyance of my fellow travellers Standing out like a light, in an office at night Still on after everyone else has gone Refusing to switch off just because It seems the works been done. From the cold grey stock markets on the grey square mile To Dalston market where an aunty, headscarf tied, Bargains for two cuts of meat for the price of one Were all buying and selling Selling ourselves to buy temporary happiness But the price has been paid Long before we were made More beautiful than any work of art in the Tate More dramatic than anything portrayed on a West End stage If only we could see our citys worth through His London eye

10

You see a girl drunkenly stumble outside the club Singing God save the queen at the top of her lungs But He hears the real song she cries in her heart God save me. Please Madman on the underground Eyes avert, passengers shuffle uncomfortably around No one sees him let alone the demons that plague him and torture his mind. London. A twisted kaleidoscope of hopes, fears and dreams A petrie dish of souls not as happy as they seem As we float along the Thames Were oblivious to the waste that lurks beneath. Lights forever on but still shrouded in darkness Thick layer of smog above the clouds. Above our hearts. Air and minds polluted. London is burning. Gloria Ede

11

London
by JJ BOLA London, listen as she breathes

12

Listen as she breathes London. Listen as she breathes, This city. It makes promises in the form of dreams And keeps them in places that are hard to see. On street corners and pavement slopes, Pockets full of hope, a kaleidoscope of emotion Trickles Down A gutter. A rainbow appears, Its raining, But that is not new here. It rains fears and regret, Nights out that wed rather forget, Sweat swept from nervous foreheads Where secrets are better kept, Secret. Here lies spread like wild fire, But what of truth, what truth do we speak of? We keep our upper lip stiff, say nothing so nobody listens, Think quick, people shine, but their minds dont glisten, So fifteen minutes isnt a long enough time, But we each want our claim to fame.

The smoke covers the window panes and mirrors So we dont see ourselves clearly, Our reflection is but a memory A fading imagine of what we once used to be Lovers, Livers of life, Before we gave it up for the mundane. But do you remember the days When wed reach the top of the climbing frame And feel like we had just conquered Everest. The days when we would speak our hearts, Without being drunk on beverages. The days when we believed, In ourselves, In each other. The city lights sparkle, Like a beautiful womans eyes London always leaves me breathless, There is a peace that slips through my fingers And gets buried in the ground. One day, when love will pour down, I hope we would have all found What weve been looking for. JJ Bola

London lonely
by Errol McGlashan This ones for the London lonely...

15

This ones for the London Lonely For those who aint got a one and only Whose hearts have no home And so they roam Along the South Bank Staggered file and rank Eyes cast down damp This is for those who dont do eye contact Cos when they do you feel under attack by sadness caused their delusions of lack Dotted around da city In their dozens and hundreds This ones for the lonely Londoners The West End wanderers The Soho stumblers Chat up lines on pieces of paper Conversation starters to be used for later This ones for the hesitaters The social life procrastinators Say it straight lets make it a date Dont hesitate When you hesitate You seal your fate He who hesitates Masturbates

This is for those who daily delete their internet history Who whether theyve ever even had a love life is a mystery This ones for the London lonely Those who feel they are the one and only Who has ever felt the way they do Who never thought it would ever come to this Theyre the romance bumblers The love song mumblers This ones for the lonely Londoners So steeped in solitude Save the cat at home But they hardly ever speak Cos the cats got their tongue This is for those whose minds Aint so sound (Or maybe they are and we just aint come around) Who wander around Up and down They go back and forth And forth and back On oyster topped up with a couple of pound Down the London lonely underground On the circle line they go round and round. . . and round This is for those who mind the gap This is for the night bus insomniacs This is for those who often hear Excuse me this bus terminates here

This is for those on the ledge looking down And seeing nothing but murky grey and brown This is for those who feel they dont belong Who dine alone whilst they hunger Attempt to plunder The depths of their disconnection Their delusion of loneliness What they need to know is this All is well nothing is amiss But when you tell em this Their teeth they kiss So youre going to see an exhibition at the Tate Modern Invited by that person you fancy like rotten Got a table booked at WagaMamas for eight There youll meet some friends Cos theres a birthday to celebrate You got places to see and people to do Well this aint for you This is for the London Lonely For those who aint got a one and only Whose hearts have no home And so they roam. Errol McGlashan

If you like City shades, you may also like: My Love Who am I? A Poets soul Words I never said My Love 2 Another point of view All available at Wordjar.com