Written specially for and performed at the Harms Of Hate event funded by Rotherham Council and the Home Office at the Magna Science Park 27/09/2018 ©Carol Robson #HarmsOfHate #Spokenword #Discrimination
Just Be You
You’ve endured a life of!
Told it will be this way
told it will be that way
told, told, told told,
from the earliest time.
Roles decided.
Learn this, learn that
the right way
it has to be
their way.
Be different,
free thinking,
challenge them,
use constructive argument
be prepared
to be labelled,
different,
a rebel.
We are not
all the same
challenge them
your life,
your choice,
your human rights,
being broken
challenge them
your life,
your choice
stop them,
shaping you
just be you.
Told you cannot,
ask why not
challenge
be different
make mistakes
they’re your mistakes
learn from them
stand out
make a difference
your choice
your life
shape yourself
true to yourself
just be you
not what others,
want you to be.
You don’t need,
role models.
©Carol Robson
ME
I’ve such self-belief that it – scares me
I refuse to let my past – define me
In the here and now – poet me
I’ve proved I can do it – performer me.
Some people cannot get past – history me
Clouds their vision to see – true me
Ignored and never accepted – dislike me
Or in truth, the realisation – discriminate me.
My true friends – love me
Loved my performances – support me
Female poet and performer – gladdens me
My authentic and fulfilling life – just me
Feeling alive – REAL ME.
©Carol Robson 2014
Debris
Debris is about a woman who is homeless, on the streets through drug and alcohol addiction.
Performed at St Helens Central Library June 26th when I was the support act for JB Barrington
Video courtesy of John Richards
Debris Copyright Carol Robson 2015
Speak your loud words
Break your chains
Nay!
Shout your loud words
Break life’s chains
Stop!
Discrimination
Cronyism
Scream louder your words
Smash!
That fucking glass ceiling.
Carol Robson 2015.
Women’s Space in Spoken Word.
I’m here to challenge
for you to listen
hear my voice
hear my inner soul.
Shouting
you need to see me
you need to hear me.
My voice is valuable
my space is valuable
this space is genderless
value the voice
value my words.
My right to occupy
my right to share
my voice is to be heard
my words are priceless
value me
value the person
I’m an equal person
I’m an equal voice.
We gave you a voice
respect ours.
© Carol Robson 2013
Poem from the revised/edited 2nd edition of Words of Darkness and Light published by Thynks Publications.
A Love Nurtured in Blood (Sapphic)
And now my life is flashing by,
Four hundred years upon this earth.
My ancient love, the reason why
You gave to me immortality.
Made me your bride in ancient times,
Spent together, living on.
We sucked blood, we bit new flesh.
We drained life force and felt refreshed.
Creatures nightly moved in shadows,
Centuries of blood-fueled lust;
All societies, all fair game.
Folklore and legends we became.
I’ve seen wars and cruel destruction.
I’ve seen horrors – genocide.
I’ve seen torture, men and women.
I’ve seen little children slain.
My love’s now gone and I grow weary,
My body weak with skin now scarred,
Flashes of sunlight drive me to twilight,
Retreating to my shadowy home.
No longer I yearn for fresh, warm blood.
I’ve been here for far too long.
Alone without you, longing for you.
Peace invites me as I come home.
©Carol Robson 2014
