Commonword Blogs

I wrote the following two poems after attending Commonword’s three very informative Ghosts Project workshops (celebrating Moss Side and Hulme night clubs of the 50′s to the 80′s and the local community life), skilfully led by Yvonne Mccalla.

Any constructive comments are welcome.

(1) Staying Power

Gotta make a way out of no way
(Traditional black saying)

Wishful thinking brought us here –
we thought you so rich, you would
embrace us with your song and dance.

I never looked at poetry changing my life until recently as I just neglected to think how poetry has got me through the rough times as well as good times. The way poetry is a way to express myself no matter what my mood an avenue to be destructive or positive. To show my joy with events and my discontent to spread like locus or vanish in an instance. Poetry has changed me into believing in ideas and revolution maybe this comes from the fact I used to squat only time will tell.

Ruled

We the many have been occupied
By the few, impotent of that moral compass that drives
Us.

So you dont want to change
What am I supposed to do
What have we been doing then
You already have
Because this is not what I signed up for
Loud silences
Reminiscent of times
When I had no choice
But to allow
My moods to be dictated
Cause children can't challenge adults
But I am now a woman
With choice and free will
Somethings got to give
But it wont be me.

Melanie Duncan (c)

Fire Is Dangerous

Fire Is Dangerous. Never Play With Fire.
This was solemnly told to me by mum on the occasion
Of my half burning the kitchen down trying to see
Whether sliced potato would fry if placed in the grill
Of the cooker with a drop of oil.

‘Half’ was my mum’s exaggeration. Apart from
Blackened windows and a slight charred smell
In the air, the kitchen was untouched.
But I behaved. I did not do any more culinary experiments.

Months later my dad was fixing his car
And could not get a nut loose from a bolt.