Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
JUN 2013
24 June / 30 June
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
Eriks birthday
27
Thursday
28
Friday
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
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.
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.
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
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
11
Thursday
Waheedullahs birthday
Friday
12
Friday
Saturday
Cristians birthday
13
Saturday
Sunday
14
Sunday
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
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.
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
AUG 2013
Monday
Friday
Tuesday
10
Saturday
Wednesday
11
Sunday
Thursday
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
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.
AUG 2013
AUG 2013
19 August / 25 August
19
Monday
23
Friday
20
Tuesday
24
Saturday
21
Wednesday
25
Sunday
22
Thursday
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.
AUG/SEP 2013
26
Monday
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
20
Sunday
17
Thursday
OCT 2013
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!
NOV 2013
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.
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
15
Friday
Saturday
16
Saturday
10
Sunday
Ozifas birthday
17
Sunday
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
JAN 2014
6 January / 12 January
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
Archies birthday
JAN 2014
13 January / 19 January
13
Monday
17
Friday
14
Tuesday
Guilhermes birthday
18
Saturday
15
Wednesday
Areffs birthday
19
Sunday
16
Thursday
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.
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
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
23
Sunday
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.
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.
MAR 2014
MAR 2014
MAR 2014
3 March / 9 March
Monday
My Country
Waheedullah Wafa
Tuesday
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
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
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
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.
APR 2014
14
Monday
Kamrans birthday
18
Friday
15
Tuesday
19
Saturday
16
Wednesday
20
Sunday
17
Thursday
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!
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
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
Saturday
Ravinas birthday
10
Saturday
Sunday
11
Sunday
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
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
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.
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.
JUN 2014
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.
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
JUN 2014
Monday
13
Friday
10
Tuesday
14
Saturday
11
Wednesday
15
Sunday
12
Thursday
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.
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.
JUN 2014
16 June / 22 June
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
Vaishal Manjis birthday and Cathryn Penders birthday from John Lyons Charity
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.
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.