http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog en-us Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:38:45 +0000 Main Page Blogware lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/3/4/4474174.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/3/4/4474174.html Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:29:00 +0000 Exhausted I return to the stage after the applause and sat on stage for the beginning of the question time when a small woman of about sixty came and hugged me. “My son” she said “Who I searched for because of you. Remember him?”. I nodded in the affirmative. . Those moments after finishing a performance I’m open. The body and heart and brain seem to be in the process of recollecting themselves. It’s a vulnerable state. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/3/2/4474173.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/3/2/4474173.html Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:27:00 +0000 This is the maiden tour date of Why I Don’t Hate White People and I am nervous I have been coming to crewe for years. The performing arts college is transformed since it was incorporated into Manchester University and rebuilt. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/3/1/4474169.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/3/1/4474169.html Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:20:00 +0000 I felt, as I walked off stage, that I could lift the Southbank centre with my bare hands and slide it onto the thames and sail her out out, out into the open sea. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/19/4474164.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/19/4474164.html Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:15:00 +0000 By the end of the week poems were falling through the ceiling sliding betwixt the wooden beams. On one day it snowed and covered our world in sheets of white paper as if early drafts had been torn up thrown into the clouds where they crystallized and returned in sheets. There were poems everywhere, of astonishing quality. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/14/4455798.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/14/4455798.html Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:55:00 +0000 On Thursday morning on Euston Road in central London I was walking a few feet behind a blind man. He was swinging his white cane as if it were a lead on an hyperactive terrier. It was distressing to see. Ahead the tree embedded in the pavement slanted backwards towards us as if pushed by a hurricane. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/10/4455060.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/10/4455060.html Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:53:00 +0000 “I never trust a man who claims to be honest. You didn’t but convinced none the less that poets deal in universal truth. So why say in ten words what you can say in just two? Thank you. “ Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/9/4455050.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/9/4455050.html Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:32:00 +0000 The car hums like a quieter version of the plane. “Saw the spring lambs today” she says” as we sweep down into Belfast, into the mouth of Belfast lock. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/7/4449669.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/7/4449669.html Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:11:00 +0000 “The doorman gave a wise guy snigger “hey man there was a police bust last night. Prostitute robbed a john in the hotel.” I wanted to tell him I was a resident but he already knew that. " see that black man over there" I looked "drug dealer" he said if I needed anything." Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/6/4448717.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/6/4448717.html Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:16:00 +0000 See short Film "A spring Bee B at the Southbank Centre?" See video here. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/6/4448713.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/6/4448713.html Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:10:00 +0000 See What If film here. Shown on Channel Four TV, as part of their Darwin Originals series in early 2009 and part of The Royal Academy GSK Contemporary Earth Exhibition December 2009 and January 2010. Broadcast as a project between Southbank Centre and Artsadmin. Vocals and Writing by Lemn Sissay, Piano Peter Edwards and Double Bass Gary Crosby. See film here. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/6/4448706.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/6/4448706.html Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:04:00 +0000 See BBC short film called THOUGHT FOR THE DAY here. Shot in 2003 BBC TV Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/6/4448582.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/6/4448582.html Sat, 06 Feb 2010 07:22:00 +0000 By Friday a pile of letters from all quarters, from Judges and politicians, arrive upon my desk in congratulations for the gong. I’m so proud. But the lion sleeps. An interest in my biography arrives from a major publisher, another. I need a literary agent - someone who can deal with books and publisher enquiries and commissions. Help. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/4/4448567.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/2/4/4448567.html Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:49:00 +0000 I must warn you that this excerpt is quite graphic. I read it tonight on stage at Hackney Empire at the behest of theatre director Felix Cross and would like to share it with you - here it is. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/31/4444092.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/31/4444092.html Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:56:00 +0000 Afterwards on Sunday night I drove through darkness to a secret location in London - a friend’s house. She passed me a black briefcase.... I clicked the golden latches and they flicked upwards. I opened slowly, slowly opened the case and out poured a shaft of golden light. It bathed my face as I looked on in wonder. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/23/4435708.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/23/4435708.html Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:50:00 +0000 Gil Scott Heron will be coming to Southbank Centre in April on his European tour. It is a highlight of my residency at Southbank that he will be performing in my home. His comeback was first announced nationally in my BBC radio documentary Pieces of A Man in march 2009 after visiting him in New York. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/8/4428018.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/8/4428018.html Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:01:00 +0000 I wave goodbye and outside the shop I watch an old old Jamaican man struggle and lean forward against a near blizzard as he crosses the busy interscection. Sometimes I see people and think of mortality. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/6/4449326.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/6/4449326.html Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:41:00 +0000 There are some things guaranteed over the next two years. Science will take a more centre stage in public consciousness. Gil Scott Heron will come to England. Comedian Marcus Brigstocke will shoot through the stratosphere and Shlomo s new theatre show Boxed will be a hit. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/4/4419794.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2010/1/4/4419794.html Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:34:00 +0000 The Prime Minister has asked me to inform you, in strict confidence, that having accepted the advice of the Cabinet Secretary and the Main Honours Committee, he proposes to submit your name to The Queen” Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/30/4416175.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/30/4416175.html Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:23:00 +0000 I am not accepting a Member of The British Empire “on behalf of the community” nor “on behalf of others like me.” I am definitely not accepting it “because my mum wants to go to the palace”. It feels disingenuous or discourteous, possibly even deceitful, to accept an award then say you’re accepting it on behalf of others when in fact it is given to you. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/29/4416166.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/29/4416166.html Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:42:00 +0000 And finally Jude Kelly the artistic director of Southbank Centre and my residency sponsored by The Paul Hamlyn Foundation has made all of what is here possible and the following. In six hours time I shall be named an MBE for services to literature. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/29/4416154.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/29/4416154.html Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:38:00 +0000 Context is relative and relativity a factor of memory: ever heard the memory trick in how to recall your pin number by unconnected images. I am often advised by the well meaning not to assume that families are great when in fact I don’t. I just value memory is all. But why make it public? Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/24/4415004.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/24/4415004.html Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:48:00 +0000 It's a list. There are no links Just a whole list of good people. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/21/4414996.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/21/4414996.html Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:32:00 +0000 “Don’t get me wrong.” He says shaking his head from side to side as the plane gulps down towards the runway “ I’m not a racist.” I hadn’t said he was “ My own children are half caste.” He passes me his card and I feel my stomach turn as the wheels skid onto the runway. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/19/4414971.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/19/4414971.html Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:09:00 +0000 “we have no money” said the American man “leave us alone”. I squeezed out the words “Bag!!”. The American man looked at me “stand back Arlene” he said to his wife and took the stance of a thai kick boxer. His distended handed curled a finger at me “let’s do this” he said. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/17/4407655.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/17/4407655.html Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:13:00 +0000 It’s a molten sun. Life is good and the world is waking. At 8am I walk the length of Bethnal Green Road where the market traders are setting out stalls. Tarpaulin skin slides over skeletal frames and goods are unloaded from vans. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/16/4407232.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/16/4407232.html Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:07:00 +0000 I was struggling to keep myself together. It was like watching the twin towers crumble and tumble under the stress. A moment came when what was who I am fell in slow motion, each floor collapsing on the other, each problem compounding, a concertina of collapsing consciousness until one morning I awoke and all was dust. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/15/4407062.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/15/4407062.html Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:32:00 +0000 As this happened the fireworks (not candles) upon the gigantic 30th anniversary cake threw Fountains of hissing golden sparks to the ceiling. The bells continued ringing causing a mexican wave of goosepimples to ripple through the crowd and through me. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/14/4407011.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/14/4407011.html Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:40:00 +0000 Tonight it's the workers shindig, a Christmas party in the reception area of The Queen Elizabeth Hall it kicks off at 7.30pm with an X factor spoof on a largescreen suspended above the stage in which I am a dysfunctional contestant. Typecast again. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/10/4402387.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/10/4402387.html Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:50:00 +0000 I’m three hundred miles away in what was once the Mill Masters house. I’m on the edge of a valley in Heptonstall. Mist obscures the town below and above within clearest sky a crescent moon. . Sylvia Plath’s grave is just beyond the ruins of an old church only ten minutes away. Her shadow stretches over this house and sleeps inside. Main Page lemn sissay http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/10/4402781.html http://blog.lemnsissay.com/blog/_archives/2009/12/10/4402781.html Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:19:00 +0000 There is something of loss in exile and something exiled in loss. Main Page