Black Country

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Mary smiled an said: "Oil spin sum wool an knit im a jumper, an is dad'll play the flute ter mek him sleep." The next un was like it an all, but Joseph said to the chap: "Aint there anywhere we can goo? My missus is out theer on a donkey, an er's gooin ter av a babby soon." Mary looked at the presents an said: "Thank yo, they'm smashin, but Oi'll keep em till ee's bigger, if yo doh moind." The kings took off their crowns and bowed. Is it still cliché to say that you can read a poem and be inspired? Or is it still cliché to say that you find something like hope in language? In a time when some of us feel that we are post-hope, Claudia Rankine’s poem “Coherence in Consequence” realigns the subtle shift that determines whether the reader is in step with the poem, or at odds.

The shepherds turned to goo, an little Jesus smiled. The leader said after as it wind, an all babbies did it, but ee wor as sure as ee med out. While all this was a-gooin on, three wise kings was in a country far away lookin at stars. Suddenly, one on em put down is telescope an called: "cum eer yo lot. Oi've fun a star wot wor theer afore, and it ay arf a big un." An uplifting poem which highlights the importance of self-belief in our daily lives. Robinson’s poem is an ode to his grandma’s advice, which almost becomes a mantra for him. The poem makes subtle references to how the outside world can affect our own perception of life and self. The ‘ portable paradise’ is never specified but can be interpreted differently by each individual.So they all come in, an Erod said ow noice to see em an wot cud ee do fer emn. they said they was looking fer a new king, and wondered if ee was theer.

Yo'm a silly lot," said the angel. "I shore urt yer. I got a message for yer. There's a baby bin born in Bethlehem. Is name is Jesus an ees God's son. Goo an ave a look at im. Ee's in a stable lyin in a manger." The shepherds cum donw the ill into Bethleheman they kep on about the angels. One said: "Fancy angels cummin to we. We ay nobody. It ay as if we'm important." In the noight, Mary woke Joseph up an said: "The babby's ere." So Jesus was born, an they wrapped im up tight an put im in the manger what the osses et out on. Mary an Joseph wor arf proud. the innkeeper cum with is missus an brought Mary sum ot milk. As fellow poets will know, photos of oneself reading always seem to capture the least flattering facial expressions! This was my first time behind a mic. They went into the ouse an Elizabeth med a cup of tay. Er told Mary that er old man, Zacharias, day believe er when er told him about th3e babby, an ee were speechless. "Ee cor spake a werd now," er said. They said "Righto," an off they went. When they'd gone, Erod said to isself: "Theer's ony room fer one king ere, an Oi'm it. When Oi know weer the new un is, Oi'll have im killed."One thing to note is that, during this time, I was constantly switching between my birth name of Elinor and my preferred/pen name of Nellie. Especially with the poems and projects associated with university (where I was registered as Elinor), this can cause a bit of confusion! I now solely write, publish, and perform under the name Nellie. Suddenly the sky lit up loike bonfire noight, an an angel cum. They day know owt about angels and they was that frittened they all fell on the ground. In this poem, Bridget Minamore explores her complicated relationship with England. Minamore notices that there are things about the country that seem like home, whilst others only serve to alienate her. This ranges from exploitative consumerism to racist rhetoric that is sometimes disguised as patriotism. The poet does however have a love for her version of England; where she grew up and the people that surround her. At the end of the poem, Minamore realises that although she has a conflicting relationship with England, it is still her home. This is an all too common theme for many of us ethnically diverse Brits who struggle with our own sense of belonging.

Favourite quote: ‘You call it unprofessional because of course professionalism is straight and white’. When eed gone, Mary sat fer a bit an thought about it, then er med up er mind to goo and see Elizabeth. So er ad a swill an went off ter Juda.

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In Nova Scotia, Eliza discovers a place where ordinary things are transfigured into treasures - a red ribbon, the feel of a foal's mane, the sound of her name on someone's lips. With nothing to call her own, the wild beauty of Cape Breton is the only solace Eliza has - until another Home Child, a boy, comes to the farm and changes everything. About the Author: Gary lives in Woodsetton and was educated at Tudor Primary and High Arcal. He worked at Baggeridge, and is in the Crispin most Sundays, so knows of what he writes. Well, if you say so, ar suppose that's it," said Mary. "Ar cor do anythin about it, but me chap wo arf be surprised."