Benjamin Zephaniah has never played a large part in my life although I do know of him and some of his poetry. A large part of his persona known to me was his delivery of his poetry.
He was also a truly amazing representative of the Human Race. If one wants to read about the overcoming of adversity from leaving school illiterate to having many doctorates then I would recommend the Wikipedia entry.
Like almost everyone in the piece of land called 'Great Britain' he was British but.....
And here I was going to quote in support of a favorite theme of mine a poem of his entitled 'The British'. It's not a poem that I could quote so I Googled it and discovered that YP had already written a post about him and included the relevant poem. So I am not going to repeat it but include a link to YP's post.
I have always avoided political and, on the whole, controversial subjects on this blog because there are other forums for arguments. However, if ever there was a person who overcame every single adversity with which he was born then Benjamin Zephaniah was one of the most shining example of which I can think.
Perhaps one of his most amusing poems is Talking Turkeys:
Be nice to yu turkeys dis christmas
Cos’ turkeys just wanna hav fun
Turkeys are cool, turkeys are wicked
An every turkey has a Mum.
Be nice to yu turkeys dis christmas,
Don’t eat it, keep it alive,
It could be yu mate, an not on your plate
Say, Yo! Turkey I’m on your side.
I got lots of friends who are turkeys
An all of dem fear christmas time,
Dey wanna enjoy it, dey say humans destroyed it
An humans are out of dere mind,
Yeah, I got lots of friends who are turkeys
Dey all hav a right to a life,
Not to be caged up an genetically made up
By any farmer an his wife.
Turkeys just wanna play reggae
Turkeys just wanna hip-hop
Can yu imagine a nice young turkey saying,
‘I cannot wait for de chop’,
Turkeys like getting presents, dey wanna watch christmas TV,
Turkeys hav brains an turkeys feel pain
In many ways like yu an me.
I once knew a turkey called…Turkey
He said “Benji explain to me please,
Who put de turkey in christmas
An what happens to christmas trees?”,
I said “I am not too sure turkey
But itÕs nothing to do wid Christ Mass
Humans get greedy an waste more dan need be
An business men mek loadsa cash’.
Be nice to yu turkey dis christmas
Invite dem indoors fe sum greens
Let dem eat cake an let dem partake
In a plate of organic grown beans,
Be nice to yu turkey dis christmas
An spare dem de cut of de knife,
Join Turkeys United an dey’ll be delighted
An yu will mek new friends ‘FOR LIFE’.
Of course he was a lifelong vegan but something I have only just found out about him was that he was infertile. Maybe his books and his poems were like the sons and daughters he never had. He will be missed and maybe in death his star will rise.
ReplyDeleteYP, I think it's the case that, although many people in academia and literary circles know all about him, he is not all that well known by the majority in the UK although I may be wrong about that because Scotland is a bit insulated from some of England's better known writers and poets.
DeleteFrom knowing nothing of the man yesterday morning, I'm very much enjoying his poetry. Only the good....
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that, Andrew.
DeleteI really like his light hearted approach to serious topics. 65 is too young to die but old enough to have achieved a lot. I hope he was happy with what he achieved
ReplyDeleteKylie, I wonder if great artists are ever satisfied with what they have produced. However, like you, I hope that he was because he achieved a great deal.
DeleteThe poem you chose fits the season.
ReplyDeleteIt does, indeed, Red.
DeleteThe poem is a beauty. I have never heard of Benjamin I must check him out.
ReplyDeleteDiane, a lot of his peotry is definitely worth a read.
DeleteLike Andrew says, after knowing nothing of Benjamin Zephaniah until yesterday, now I have learned about a very decent man from two other decent men.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Meike, I'm blushing.
DeleteI'd never heard of Benjamin Zephaniah and I'll no doubt have forgotten his name by this time tomorrow but I think I'll remember "Talking Turkeys". It's always uplifting to read about those whose lives have been so well lived.
ReplyDeletePauline, you are one of the great majority when it comes to not having heard of him. I, for one, still have a great deal to learn about his work.
DeleteI enjoyed reading that poem. Thank you, Graham.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, JayCee.
DeleteThanks for the introduction to BZ. I will look forward to exploring more and learning about this remarkable man.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I have learned about this talented poet from you and YP, Graham.
ReplyDeleteI hope, Ellen, that you enjoy more of his work.
DeleteI never heard of him either until reading this post and YP's. Thanks for the introduction :)
ReplyDeleteOur little bit for literature, Monica.
DeleteThis is the funniest and saddest thing I've read for months.
ReplyDeleteThe bloke is dead so it would be rude to comment on his ability or lack thereof.
All this reminds me of the Hans Kristian Anderson story. The Emperors New Clothes.
On this one, Adrian, we will have to agree to disagree.
DeleteGraham I never agree to disagree. You are wrong.
DeleteThe bloke is rubbish not a patch on some of your Scouse poets and songwriters. Roger McGough being one that springs to mind. Marriot Edgar is a favourite of mine but surprisingly he was Scottish. A rare thing is a Scot with humour and literacy.
Well. Adrian, I can't argue with you over people like Roger McGough.
DeleteUnfamiliar with his poetry, thanks to your post, I will seek out his poems for a good read and ponder. Thank you Graham.
ReplyDeleteMayWyn, I hope that you find some interest in some of his work.
DeleteWhat a funny and charming poem. I'd never heard of him until he died, but he really was quite a poet, wasn't he? I loved the poem on YP's blog as well.
ReplyDeleteDebby, I think remarkably few people have heard of him outside of England (sic) and I wish that I had taken more notice of him years ago. I think that he had a lot to say and managed to say it in a way that didn't offend.
Delete