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JUNE 2013 to JUNE 2014

An English PEN book of days made by young people who have recently arrived in the UK In partnership with the Tricycle Theatre and Refugee Week

JUNE 2013 to JUNE 2014


An English PEN book of days made by young people who have recently arrived in the UK In partnership with the Tricycle Theatre and Refugee Week

The Make My Day! Diary

Im honoured to have been a part of this project and to have worked with this group of young people from Copland Community School in Wembley. The workshops were held at the amazing Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn. Their poetry was beautiful, honest, brave and playful. It was so inspiring to watch them grow in both confidence and craft. Special thanks to the brilliant poet and fellow workshop leader Dzifa Benson, the amazing Jason Archie for all his unwavering support and incredible energy, the talented artist Pia Jaime and the back bone of this entire project, Philip Cowell for his constant dedication. Many thanks to John Lyons Charity, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the Pack Foundation and Arts Council England for their support in making this book. With love, Warsan Shire

The Make My Day! Diary

Every Monday for three months, 60 young people who had only recently arrived in the country (and spoke hardly any English), came to PEN writing workshops at Londons Tricycle Theatre. The sessions were led by the poet Warsan Shire and me. We both agree that the sessions challenged our abilities to convey the power of language and the beauty of words to the young people, given their hesitancy with English. In the end, we both agreed, we learned just as much from them as they did from us. The poetry from all the young people was enlightening, real, fearless and beautiful. I am honoured to have witnessed how far they have grown and how much their speaking, reading and writing of English grew in confidence in three short months. I am so grateful to have been involved in this project and thank English PEN for making it possible. Keep writing all! Dzifa Benson

Refugee Week 2013

Freedom
Hiba Ayoub

Freedom is a flower growing From the cracks of a broken building. Freedom sounds like a street party Without a curfew. Freedom tastes sweet like sugar. Freedom feels like the first touch. Freedom is the wind in your hair When you think you can fly.

The Make My Day! Diary


17 June / 23 June

JUN 2013

17

Monday

21

Friday

18

Tuesday

22

Saturday

Vaishal Manjis birthday and Cathryn Penders birthday from John Lyons Charity

19

Wednesday

23

Sunday

20

Thursday

Yamini and Nikitas birthdays

JUN 2013

My Dream

Riasat Jabarkhel

Last night in my dream, in my sleep, I went to Afghanistan. I saw my little sisters, Naza and Frishta. My sisters were happy there. Then two people came along. They took my little sisters and ran away. I woke up no sisters, no people.

The Make My Day! Diary

JUN 2013
24 June / 30 June

24

Monday

25

Tuesday

26

Wednesday

Eriks birthday

27

Thursday

28

Friday

29

Saturday

30

Sunday

Mary from the Tricycle Theatres birthday

The Make My Day! Diary

Summer and Winter


Twinkal Shailesh

I come from my friends Nikita and Vaishali. I come from strawberry and apple. I come from bedroom and kitchen. I come from computer and mobile. I come from summer and winter. I come from Mr Green and Mrs Mobbs.

Romeo and Juliet


Ravina Lalji

I come from food fish eggs and coconuts I come from watching TV and movies I come from Romeo and Juliet. I come from Bole Chudiyan. I come from pink and blue.

The Make My Day! Diary

True Love?

Mujeeburahman Stanakzai

One day I walked down the street and saw a girl. She was so beautiful. I admired her eyes. She liked my body. A few days later I saw her with another guy. I wanted to kill myself and leave this world but that is not allowed by my religion. So instead I ate pizza. It was more beautiful than that girl.

Water

Zar Mohammed Marufkhel

I come from pizza and banana, Football, cricket, X-men and winter I am thankful for the hospital, I am thankful for water.

JUL 2013
1 July / 7 July 8 July / 14 July

Monday

Monday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Wednesday

10

Wednesday

Thursday

Mrs Villikko-Seftons birthday

11

Thursday

Waheedullahs birthday

Friday

12

Friday

Saturday

Cristians birthday

13

Saturday

Sunday

14

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary


15 July / 21 July 22 July / 28 July

JUL 2013

15

Monday

22

Monday

16

Tuesday

23

Tuesday

17

Wednesday

24

Wednesday

18

Thursday

Dharmistas birthday

25

Thursday

19

Friday

26

Friday

20

Saturday

27

Saturday

21

Sunday

28

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary

The Mountains of Kuwait


Areff Al Esaimi

My mothers voice sounds like birds singing in the morning. When she is angry her voice sounds like a loud speaker. When my mum is crying her voice sounds like the rain over the mountains of Kuwait.

The Make My Day! Diary

How To Be London
Vaishali Dhirijhlal

Because its a nice big city I see the buses and the buildings, The shops and the schools And the churches. I see big trees, Big beaches, lots of hotels, And a big temple.

JUL/AUG 2013
29 July / 4 August

29

Monday

Friday

30

Tuesday

Saturday

31

Wednesday

Sunday

Thursday

Warsans birthday

Detention

Bhavin Shashikant

I see beautiful Indian people I want to have a good job I see beautiful cars in India I am not a girl I want to have an Indian drink I see beautiful Indian houses I worry about my girlfriend I cried because I was in detention I am happy because I am going to India

The Make My Day! Diary


5 August / 11 August

AUG 2013

Monday

Friday

Tuesday

10

Saturday

Wednesday

11

Sunday

Thursday

War and Peace


Ozifa Begum

I come from my mother, Indian music clubs, banana, strawberry, apple, celebrities (Big Brother), mosque and prayer, school studies. I come from war and peace in Bangladesh.

AUG 2013
12 August / 18 August

12

Monday

16

Friday

13

Tuesday

17

Saturday

14

Wednesday

18

Sunday

15

Thursday

A Poem for Sara


Kamran Khan

Saras voice when she is speaking On the phone is like a small cat drinking milk. When she is laughing she sounds like a hungry mouse. Sara smiles like a warm home in winter. Sometimes she talks fast like the rain, like wind, Like fast cars in the cold city.

The Make My Day! Diary

AUG 2013

AUG 2013
19 August / 25 August

19

Monday

23

Friday

20

Tuesday

24

Saturday

21

Wednesday

25

Sunday

22

Thursday

The Magic Box


Dharmista Mahendra

I will put in my magic box a TV, The sound of Niya, The sight of Indian people dancing The feeling of hungry Earrings and rings My family because I love my family A bracelet and a watch My birthday sunny day Cake and chocolate. But not games. I dont like games in my magic box.

The Make My Day! Diary


26 August / 1 September

AUG/SEP 2013

26

Monday

Vaishali Dhirijhlals birthday

30

Friday

27

Tuesday

31

Saturday

28

Wednesday

Sunday

29

Thursday

SEP 2013

My Last Girlfriend
David Gagyor

Her eyes are hidden treasure found in the bottom of the ocean. Her skin is on fire after the house burned down. Her lips are angry dragons after somebody woke them up. Her body is a firework at the New Years Eve party. Her mind is a spirit that has flown away into nothing.

The Make My Day! Diary

SEP 2013
2 September / 8 September

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

SEP 2013
9 September / 15 September 16 September / 22 September

Monday

16

Monday

10

Tuesday

Sanas birthday

17

Tuesday

11

Wednesday

18

Wednesday

12

Thursday

19

Thursday

13

Friday

Abdifatahs birthday

20

Friday

14

Saturday

21

Saturday

15

Sunday

22

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary


23 September / 29 September

SEP/OCT 2013
30 September / 6 October

23

Monday

30

Monday

Mr Greens birthday

24

Tuesday

Tuesday

25

Wednesday

Wednesday

26

Thursday

Thursday

27

Friday

Friday

28

Saturday

Saturday

29

Sunday

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary

The Make My Day! Diary

Nikita Jivan

How To Be A Teacher

You have to explain and give examples, Speak and mark books Take the register and give detention Write on the board and give homework Get angry when everyone shouts. When I shout, Miss says, Im calling your home.

Coca-Cola and Ice-cream


Bonita Araujo

I come from coca-cola and ice-cream (chocolate) I come from my friends Vaishali, Twinkal, Ozifa, Yogita, Kajal, Nikita, Dharmista and Ravina, I come from Mario, Barbie, Rihanna, Beyonce, I come from leggings, T-shirts and shoes.

Gratitude

Piyush Mohan

I am thankful for my teacher, Mr Green. I am thankful for Copland School. I am thankful for my house. I am thankful for my friend. I am thankful for Bhavin. I am thankful for the bus.

OCT 2013
7 October / 13 October

Monday

11

Friday

Tuesday

12

Saturday

Wednesday

13

Sunday

10

Thursday

Ubahs birthday

The Make My Day! Diary

OCT 2013

My Mother, Dhani
Kiran Vira

When my mother calls my name, her voice sounds lonely. When my mother laughs, her voice sounds like a police horn, far away. When my mother is happy, she sounds like a song in another language I cannot understand. I want to understand.

The Dream
Milan Dhanji

Last night I had a dream I was in India. There were so many people fighting with their wives. I enjoyed this fight. Then I was in a cyber caf. There were some people fighting. I said to them, Stop fighting and go to your house! I said to them, Just forget it. Then my friend came and pushed me. I crashed on my computer and it broke. I woke up.

OCT 2013
14 October / 20 October

14

Monday

18

Friday

Dhruvils birthday

15

Tuesday

19

Saturday

16

Wednesday

Oana and Andreas birthdays

20

Sunday

17

Thursday

The Make My Day! Diary


21 October / 27 October

OCT 2013

The Old Lady


Oana Maria Maxim

My house is an old lady. She wears a red dress and a brown hat. She is small and has two eyes like bedroom windows. She wears flowers in her hair and red lipstick. Her heart is a broken gate.

21

Monday

25

Friday

22

Tuesday

26

Saturday

23

Wednesday

27

Sunday

24

Thursday

Ruchirkumars birthday

OCT/NOV 2013
28 October / 3 November

28

Monday

29

Tuesday

My Journey to England
Sumaya Sharif

30

Wednesday

31

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Having to leave my country and all my friends was not easy at all. The night before I left, some of my friends came to say Goodbye and I felt so sad. This morning came faster than usual, at least I thought so, but then we were ready to go. While the car was passing through my town I watched the houses where my friends and my teachers live. I felt so empty and lonely. In the aeroplane I felt a little better because I started to think about England. I was so excited and happy as I would have a new life in front of me and I knew it wouldnt be easy but I didnt think it would be this hard!

The Make My Day! Diary

NOV 2013

The Make My Day! Diary

A Poem for Vishal


Gaurav Mehra

He likes to drink Energy drinks, fashionable young boy! He is a rap song in a cool temple, enjoying the moment, his hair as black as his eyes.

The Make My Day! Diary

My Mothers Mouth
Ligia Lingurar

My mothers voice sounds like a silent church. My mothers voice is a loud ambulance. My mother screams like long traffic. My mothers voice is a car accident. My mothers laughter is a school of children in the summer.

NOV 2013
4 November / 10 November 11 November / 17 November

Monday

11

Monday

Tuesday

12

Tuesday

Wednesday

13

Wednesday

Thursday

14

Thursday

Friday

Pritam and Adnans birthdays

15

Friday

Saturday

16

Saturday

10

Sunday

Ozifas birthday

17

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary


18 November / 24 November

NOV/DEC 2013
25 November / 1 December

18

Monday

25

Monday

19

Tuesday

26

Tuesday

20

Wednesday

27

Wednesday

21

Thursday

28

Thursday

22

Friday

29

Friday

Asyas birthday

23

Saturday

30

Saturday

24

Sunday

Sunday

DEC 2013
2 December / 8 December

Monday

Friday

Tuesday

Saturday

Wednesday

Sunday

Thursday

A Conversation with Prophet Mohammed


Sara Almashaqbeh

Me Asalam Alaekum The Prophet wa Alaekum Asalam Me How are you? The Prophet Im fine, thank you. Me I always dream about you. The Prophet I hope to see you in heaven with me, Sara. Me Thank you, I hope so too.

The Make My Day! Diary

DEC 2013

Her

Milan Devji

Thin body, AK-47 gun. Teeth white, aeroplane. Neck long, dinosaur. Body vibrating, winter. Mouth open, door. Mouth open, flower. Mouth open, spring. Mouth closed, home.

Jennifer Lopez
Erik Deak

Her eyes are as secretive as physics Her lips as red as dusk Her hair is shiny as silver And her body stretches like gum

The Make My Day! Diary

Oanas Face, Oanas Heart


Andrea Alexandra Maxim

Her eyes are dangerous like an animal. Her skin is white as the moon in a dark night. Her hair is as long as Big Ben in London. Her lips as big as the Sphinx in the desert. Her body is smooth like a window in a big building. Her nose is a small penny. Her heart, sometimes, is a rainy city somewhere I never want to leave.

The Make My Day! Diary

Things About Me
Guilherme Ogassawara

I hate clowns because they are stupid. I am afraid of fast English going by quickly like a train. I am excited about the sky. I want to be a billionaire because who doesnt? I used to be in Brazil, now I am in England. This country is my new home without heaters.

DEC 2013
9 December / 15 December 16 December / 22 December

Monday

16

Monday

10

Tuesday

Sagars birthday

17

Tuesday

11

Wednesday

18

Wednesday

12

Thursday

19

Thursday

13

Friday

20

Friday

14

Saturday

21

Saturday

15

Sunday

22

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary


23 December / 29 December

DEC 2013/JAN 2014


30 December / 5 January

23

Monday

30

Monday

24

Tuesday

31

Tuesday

25

Wednesday

Wednesday

26

Thursday

Thursday

Rumans birthday

27

Friday

Friday

28

Saturday

Saturday

29

Sunday

Sunday

Mujeeburahmans birthday

JAN 2014

Remembering Yordan
Asya Asanova Bushnakova

Eyes blue like topaz Skin sparkling like a ring on my finger Mouth red like blood from a broken nose Hair yellow like a gold medallion Body fat as a little pig in the garden Neck short as a teaspoon

The Make My Day! Diary

JAN 2014
6 January / 12 January

Monday

Isabel Lucena from Calouste Gulbenkian Foundations birthday

Tuesday

Mrs Mobbs birthday

Wednesday

Thursday Gauravs birthday

10

Friday

11

Saturday

12

Sunday

Archies birthday

JAN 2014
13 January / 19 January

13

Monday

Ligia and Haroons birthdays

17

Friday

14

Tuesday

Guilhermes birthday

18

Saturday

15

Wednesday

Areffs birthday

19

Sunday

16

Thursday

In Conversation With Dracula


Cristian Talmaciu

Cristian Dracula Cristian Dracula Cristian Dracula Cristian Dracula Cristian

How are you? I am good. I miss the world of the living. Why do you drink blood? Because the blood is my life. O! You scare me! Calm down Cristian. I only drink the blood of girls. OK, thanks. OK, Cristian. I am going back to my world. Bye. See you next year.

The Make My Day! Diary


20 January / 26 January

JAN 2014

20

Monday

24

Friday

21

Tuesday

25

Saturday

22

Wednesday

26

Sunday

23

Thursday

JAN/FEB 2014
27 January / 2 February 3 February / 9 February

27

Monday

Monday

28

Tuesday

Tuesday

29

Wednesday

Wednesday

Sumayas birthday

30

Thursday

Thursday

31

Friday

Friday

Saturday

Saturday

Sunday

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary


10 February / 16 February

FEB 2014
17 February / 23 February

10

Monday

17

Monday

11

Tuesday

18

Tuesday

12

Wednesday

19

Wednesday

13

Thursday

20

Thursday

14

Friday

21

Friday

15

Saturday

Vishals birthday

22

Saturday

16

Sunday

Milan Dhanjis birthday

23

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary

My House as a Man
Vishal Devjibhai

A white man, wearing a white suit and a black tie. He is worried and smells like a temple. His breath is spicy. In the winter he doesnt wear a coat. Just a white suit and a black tie.

The Make My Day! Diary

Mum Is The Meaning Of Love


Marlene Cassama

My mum is my love Is my everything She is my friend too Even from a distance I kiss her III never forget her She is my love I love my mum

FEB/MAR 2014
24 February / 2 March

24

Monday

28

Friday

Marlenes birthday

25

Tuesday

Zafars birthday

Saturday

26

Wednesday

Sunday

27

Thursday

Vasiles birthday

My Birthday
Zafar Yousifzai

I saw in my dream tomorrow is my birthday. I celebrated with my family and with my classmates and I saw when I went to school that the students surprised me and said Happy Birthday. And when I woke up I was very happy today will be the best day for me, my family and for my classmates and teachers. But now I know, nobody surprised me and nobody said to me, Happy Birthday, Zafar. I dont know why. So now I hope you will be happy for me dear teachers and dear classmates.

The Make My Day! Diary

MAR 2014

MAR 2014

The Make My Day! Diary

MAR 2014
3 March / 9 March

Monday

My Country

Waheedullah Wafa

Tuesday

Bhavin and Muhammads birthdays

My country looks like heaven. In the summer my country is green like a dollar bill. In the winter, Kabul is white like English skin. My country smells like flowers, tastes like hot water. Sometimes it feels cold, In my dream it sounds like traffic and men laughing. Donkeys laughing too.

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Bonitas birthday

Sunday

MAR 2014
10 March / 16 March 17 March / 23 March

10

Monday

17

Monday

11

Tuesday

18

Tuesday

12

Wednesday

19

Wednesday

13

Thursday

20

Thursday

Twinkals birthday

14

Friday

Christinas birthday

21

Friday

15

Saturday

22

Saturday

16

Sunday

23

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary


24 March / 30 March

MAR/APR 2014
31 March / 6 April

24

Monday

31

Monday

25

Tuesday

Tuesday

26

Wednesday

Wednesday

27

Thursday

Thursday

28

Friday

Friday

29

Saturday

Saras birthday

Saturday

30

Sunday

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary

The Make My Day! Diary

My Best Friend
Ruman Sharif

I am writing about the girl I miss. I miss my sister, my best friend, my love. She is the most beautiful girl in the world. I really love her and she loves me too. We used to eat the same food and we used to do the same things. We used to wear the same clothes. She is a friendly person. Her eyes are brown like chocolate and her face shines like a star.

APR 2014
7 April / 13 April

Monday

Yogita and Milan Devjis birthdays

11

Friday

Tuesday

12

Saturday

Wednesday

13

Sunday

10

Thursday

Marian in Romania
Christina Pop

I love my brother and I miss him because he is in Romania. He will come in the holidays because he doesnt live in London. I miss him every day and I call him just to listen to his sweet voice. My brother is my life.

The Make My Day! Diary


14 April / 20 April

APR 2014

14

Monday

Kamrans birthday

18

Friday

15

Tuesday

19

Saturday

16

Wednesday

20

Sunday

17

Thursday

The Make My Day! Diary

My Mum
Ubah Aden

There is nothing as soft as my mothers lap, no rose as lovely as her smile. Her arms are always open when I need a hug. No matter if Im growing up, Im still her baby!

The Make My Day! Diary

Dear Diary
Sagar Lacmane

Today was a wonderful day. I felt happy. The weather was sunny. I went to the park and played lots of games. I wore a black jacket and blue jeans. I ate a vegetable wrap.

APR 2014

The Make My Day! Diary

APR 2014
21 April / 27 April

21

Monday

22

Tuesday

Davids birthday

23

Wednesday

Riasats birthday

24

Thursday

25

Friday

26

Saturday

Kirans birthday

27

Sunday

APR/MAY 2014
28 April / 4 May 5 May / 11 May

28

Monday

Monday

Chandrakantas birthday

29

Tuesday

Tuesday

30

Wednesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Thursday

Friday

Friday

Pia Jaimes birthday

Saturday

Ravinas birthday

10

Saturday

Sunday

11

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary


12 May / 18 May

MAY 2014
19 May / 25 May

12

Monday

19

Monday

13

Tuesday

20

Tuesday

14

Wednesday

21

Wednesday

15

Thursday

22

Thursday

16

Friday

Dzifas birthday

23

Friday

17

Saturday

Piyushs birthday

24

Saturday

18

Sunday

25

Sunday

The Make My Day! Diary

My Country Afghanistan
Haroon Bayazidkheil

My country is so hot when you go out it smells very nice because we have flowers, trees and roses in our house. Not only in my house everywhere. My country sounds like when you go out shopping on the road no one can wait for traffic lights everything is ringing like this pep pep and tet

The Make My Day! Diary

A Poem for my Mum


Abdifatah Farah

My mum is far away. My mum loves me. My mum is the love of my life. I will never forget my mum. I feel so alone, mum. Like an empty house, mum. I am hungry for home, mum. I hope to see you soon, mum.

The Make My Day! Diary

The Make My Day! Diary

My Best Day
Dhruvil Patel

My best day was 5th August 2012. That was the day I arrived in England. I came by plane. I was excited Because Id seen London on the TV. I was happy to see my mother and father at the airport. They were holding balloons.

MAY/JUN 2014
26 May / 1 June

26

Monday

30

Friday

27

Tuesday

31

Saturday

28

Wednesday

Sunday

29

Thursday

An Earthquake In My Heart
Vasile Sima

My mothers voice sounds like a quiet party at night. When my mother laughs it sounds like police sirens. Her laughter sounds like stone. When she cries there is an earthquake in my heart.

The Make My Day! Diary

JUN 2014

The Make My Day! Diary

I Love You Mum


Chandrakanta Lalit

I love my mum My mum is beautiful I cant live without my mum My mum is everything for me I will never forget my mum in my life Because she is my heart, I love my mum so much.

The Make My Day! Diary

How To Be Arabic
Muhammad Hassan

Arabic is beautiful. We speak the same language and we are all Muslim. We go to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. Everybody goes to pray and walks in a circle seven times. Everybody dresses in the colour white. Arabic people help you every time Because when you help you are happy. I like Hajj because it makes me happy.

Snowball
Adnan Khan

I am thankful for all my family. I am thankful for all my teachers because they are helping me. I am thankful for all my friends. I am thankful for all the snow because I can have a snowball fight.

Cold Ducks
Sana Khan

Last holiday I went to Hyde Park with my cousin and brother. It was cold and there were cold ducks in the water.

JUN 2014
2 June / 8 June

Monday

Friday

Tuesday

Saturday

Wednesday

Sunday

Thursday

The Make My Day! Diary


9 June / 15 June

JUN 2014

Monday

13

Friday

10

Tuesday

Zar Mohammeds birthday

14

Saturday

11

Wednesday

15

Sunday

12

Thursday

The Sound of the Clock


Yogita Ramji

In my magic box I will put the sound of the clock Because I like that sound And the sight of my mother When she is talking.

Refugee Week 2014

Chips on Nagoa Beach


Yamini Parshotam

I love my Indian friends. I go to school, my friend says Dont go to school! I say, Where are you going? She says, You and me, were going to Diu I say Okay, then she and me go to the bus stop Then the bus comes and we go to Diu It is very beautiful, then we go to the shop It is very nice. I buy a beautiful dress And a beautiful sari. Then in the afternoon we go to Nagoa beach buy chips, then eat the chips and in the evening go to my home, where I cook, then eat, then sleep.

The Make My Day! Diary

JUN 2014
16 June / 22 June

16

Monday

17

Tuesday

18

Wednesday

19

Thursday

20

Friday

Yamini and Nikitas birthdays

21

Saturday

22

Sunday

Vaishal Manjis birthday and Cathryn Penders birthday from John Lyons Charity

The Make My Day! Diary

Her Mind
Andreea Reut

Her mind is changing like programmes on the TV. Sometimes she is a famous movie. Sometimes it is raining in her brain. Sometimes she is an action movie. But mostly she is quiet like a classroom, Sleepy while the teacher talks and talks About maths.

The Make My Day! Diary

Bangles

Vaishali Manji

I will put in my magic box a laptop, The sound of raining The sight of my aunties son The feeling of speaking in English Earrings because I like earrings My sister Bangles, because she likes bangles Rupees, because they come from my country.

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