London and poetry have a long-standing partnership. The city was once a great poetic platform and Keats, Byron, TS Eliot, Plath, Shakespeare and more have made the capital their home.
Poetry is no longer the powerhouse it once was. It’s now something forced on us in school to be memorised, categorised and usually despised. Poetry was superseded long ago by song and film. But while London may have forgotten poetry, poetry has not forgotten London, and a new era of poets is upon us.
London’s New Lyricists
Each decade, The Poetry Book Society publishes a list of who they believe will be our next generation of leading poets. They are considered the voices of the future, so it’s one to watch. Previously, the Society has tipped Carol Ann Duffy, now the Poet Laureate, and award-winning Simon Armitage. They know what they’re talking about.
There’s one name that continually crops up on this list: London. Most of the 20 tipped for poetic prestige were born or live in our city. Love poetry or hate it, London still has its hold on the art form. You can see it on billboards and on the tube, slyly sneaking into your sight – its there for the taking. We want to take a look at our new era of poets and how London can help you reconnect with poetry.
Warsan Shire
She was London’s first Young Poet Laureate and for good reason. Beyonce loved her work so much she used it for her Lemonade album. In her 28 years, she’s fled African war zones, emigrated to the UK and worked with the biggest star on the planet.
Her poetry is a modern mass of searing words and soulful snapshots. Her poem ‘Home’ has become an ode for immigrants but for me her work about love and romance in the modern world are her best. Kenyan-born but London-grown, Shire’s going from strength to strength and we as sure as hell aren’t letting go of her without a fight.
Ugly
Your daughter is ugly.
She knows loss intimately,
carries whole cities in her belly.
As a child, relatives wouldn’t hold her.
She was splintered wood and sea water.
They said she reminded them of the war.
On her fifteenth birthday you taught her
how to tie her hair like rope
and smoke it over burning frankincense.
You made her gargle rosewater
and while she coughed, said
macaanto girls like you shouldn’t smell
of lonely or empty.
You are her mother.
Why did you not warn her,
hold her like a rotting boat
and tell her that men will not love her
if she is covered in continents,
if her teeth are small colonies,
if her stomach is an island
if her thighs are borders?
What man wants to lay down
and watch the world burn
in his bedroom?
Your daughter’s face is a small riot,
her hands are a civil war,
a refugee camp behind each ear,
a body littered with ugly things
but God,
doesn’t she wear
the world well.
Kate Tempest
Kate Tempest treads the fine line between poetry and music, spoken word and rap. She’s one of the poets featured on the next generation list and it’s easy to see why. Her performances and punchy lyrics are packed with aching and anger. Tempest writes on modern life, covering hot topics like politics and consumerism. She’s a truly powerful wordsmith and performer and a real voice for this generation.
George the Poet
This London lad and his lyrical poetry is coming on leaps and bounds. He’s also a spoken word artist, who caught the eye of Jools Holland and recently featured on his show. George’s poetry ranges from funny to reflective, all spoken with a quiet fierceness.
His performance of YOLO on Jools Holland was utterly endearing, bringing pop culture into poetry. Like the greats before him, George often uses his poetry to reflect on the capital, its contradictions and its creativity.
Re-Learning to Love Poetry
These poets are just the tip of an incredible iceberg of talent. There’s much more to discover in the city itself. All you need do is visit one of the many poetry nights around London.
Poet in the City
Poet in the City is an arts organisation that promotes poetry at live events and more. Upcoming events include Heartbreakers, a look at love and loss in poetry and opera.
Teaming up with The Royal Opera House, this event features live opera and poetry and is set to leave us all lovelorn. Book your ticket and check out more Poet in the City events here.
Poetry London
This is one of the UK’s leading poetry magazines that aims to foster emerging writers and publish the best poetry around. Anyone under 30 can subscribe for just £15 a year. Those wanting to develop their own poetry can also submit, either independently or as part of a competition.
Poetry Events
Spoken word more your scene? No clue if it is or not? Well check out our YouTube poetry performances above before heading down to one of these London events.
There’s the un-rehearsed, un-restricted Tongue Fu, guaranteed to be brilliant and brand new every time. Bang Said the Gun’s stand up poetry-comedy nights are wonderful, organised by one of London’s Laureates. Then there’s the Southbank Centre’s spoken word programme that never fails to impress. When London’s Poetry Cafe reopens post-refurb, there’ll be even more to enjoy and less of an excuse not to. See what’s coming up next in the London poetry calendar here.
If you haven’t been tempted yet, try giving some real poetry a read. Forget the annotations and recitations of by-gone school days. Take a closer look at an art form undeservedly left behind but still alive and thriving in London.
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