From childhood and in adulthood Birthdays and Christmas Days were the most torturous days of the year for me. One in the heart of summer one in the bowls of winter. Each struck like a sickness whose symptoms laid me low while the disease spread until the full-blown life-threatening day came upon me. But it isn’t like that anymore.
These occasions are habits. The habit of the event causes the habit of thought. Or does the habit of thought cause the habit of event? Habits are addictive. Negative ones or positive ones. Poetry has a way to challenge habits of thought. In the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henry ends
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
You might think easier said than done. I certainy did. But how can it ever be done if not said. It is just as easy to say I am not the master of my fate look what has happened to me! In the first verse of Still I Rise Maya Angelou challenges the habit trauma inflicts on her and her ancestors.
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
It is not just words but their actions which help us become Captains rising above rancid waves of infliction. The act of giving is more powerful than any and more important now than ever. It’s my birthday on May 21st. The best present I could receive would be a gift, a donation, from you to The Gold From The Stone Foundation.
It is a Charity which serves young people, on Christmas day, who have left the care system. Christmas can be really hard in the first few years of leaving care. Last year we supported seventeen Christmas dinners across UK. The Gold From The Stone Foundation creates memories and memories are priceless.
If a birthday is the worst day of your life then I know that feeling and believe me there is better to come if you seek it. I have had some of the best birthdays in my life over the past fifteen years. All over the world. This was my birthday at the end of a concert with Leftfield at the apollo in Manchester in 2017. We had just finished 21st century poem, the last track, then Neil Barnes (of Leftfield) says to the audience “Just one last thing…..”.
Hi Lemn, what do I need to do, who do I need to get in touch with to organise a similar event here in Cambridge every year?
Many thanks,
Cristina
Cristina please have a look at The How To Guide on The Christmas Dinner Website. Link is in the blog.
Birthdays and Christmas have been hard for me since my parents died and I sadly fell out with my brother. I like to get them over with and often prefer to spend them alone eating chocholate and focus on celebrating other people’s birthday.s. But Lemn so many people love you You have reaching immorality in that you will always be remembered. Every day should be a celebration of life and what is good about it. Much love Jane PILGRIM
True – and thanks
Thank you Lemn for this. I already know it for my son and think he knows it too. You are both born of Ethiopia. I love the hope your words and the words of others that you chose give me for him.
Thanks Annie – blessings
Happy birthday, Lemn Sissay! I have just made a donation to The Gold From The Stone Foundation in celebration of you and all that you’ve done. Take care x
Thankyou so much Jodie
Lemn Sissay, Ethiopia’s pride, Happy Birthday!
The best to you this year, may the one and only Lion of Judah, Jesus the Christ, the risen Lord who conquered the grave bless you and keep you, make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Amen
Thanks
Happy Birthday Lemn. I finished reading/ listening to your book My name is why on Audible yesterday (20/05/2020) and couldn’t help but notice your birthday is today! Thank-you for sharing your life story with the world and speaking up for vulnerable children of society who don’t have a voice. You are loved and appreciated; an exceptional gift to this world.
Thanks
I loved hearing your interview with Richard Fidler at the Byron Bay writers festival… today.. I appreciate the opportunity to feel my own feelings through your words. Judy
thanks
Psalms 139
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
Lemn, I hope your birthday was wonderful! Thank you for the interview with the lovely, Hannah. I just want to say thank you! I cried so much as you read. Sent so many Q’s from my humble book circle… but enjoyed your take on Kindness. It does say it all in a way…Thank you for using your God-given gift to touch so many.
My brother told me to look out for Superkids, the movie and can’t wait to see it and wondering when it will be available in the US?
H
Thankyou
Lemn,
Hi listened to your story on Conversations with Richard Fidler. I was driving home and had to stop on a small country road to take it all in. I’m in Qld Australia. The sun was setting. Your story has moved me beyond words. Your poetry and story telling is magnificent. I mourn with you for the trauma that was inflicted by a cold government that stole your childhood with your family and culture .I work as an art therapist with folk who have trauma and substance use./ relapse prevention. I will share your story next week. I will Buy anything you have written and listen with compassion to everything you write and say. I hear you and see you. Your strength in your vulnerability could move mountains. What a gift to share your story and for me to hear as I drove through the Australian wild bush. I came here from the UK as a small child and still yearn for English countryside- but I realise now the Ozzie bush gives many rewards. Your poem – suitcase and Mud? I’ll read to my group on Wed- I also run a creative zoom group and will introduce you there also. May the moon sweetly protect you wherever you are. Your creativity and voice illuminate the world – and despite covid19…. it reached me on a small country road near Cooran in Australia. Thank you Lemn for your voice and story. Sending a virtual hug to you
Thankyou andI hope you get chance to listen to this then : https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06gthsz
Maybe it won’t work in Australia. Grrr. ANyway – Thankyou.
Hi Lemn, I was listening to radio whilst painting a mural, and happened to get to hear your interview with Richard Fideler. It brought tears to my eyes as I was moved by it because i too am a careleaver in Australia..Your words tell the story of the experience of so many, your poetry sings the emotion. Thankyou for using your platform to cast a light over this darkness..This abuse of children in care is a collective experience around the world. It speaks volumes about vulnerability and power over, I am white, though through my experience of being displaced , i have a shared knowing of being marginalised and devalued, but at the same time I understand how much more so to have racisim chucked on top of that.. Apart from that we are from the same tribe, sharing the deepest wound of all.
This is a little about me. I was institutionalised at the age of 4yrs, separated from my entire family, including four siblings, not to hear from them for the duration of my time in .”care”…The institution lasted 7yrs and then I was fostered at age 11yrs. Then banished from that family to fend for myself at age 17. Then I spent the most part of my adult life, trying to piece my life, like you seachi g for family and documents. My mother was born in England so thinking she probably went back so i would get ever disheartened about ever finding her. Eventually I did get to find out about her but she had died..
I used to write poetry to express my feelings as I had no one to do this with. I have always wanted to write a book about my experiences ,but have not had the confidence to do so. . Thankyou for your inspiration, because the story is tugging at me. Although I have done a lot of self healing, contributed to senate enquiry and royal commision into these matters, nothing has been able totake away that deep sense of not belonging, the SHAME and STIGMA that is etched into every cell of my body.. My name is Terri
Thankyou
Hi Lemn, I was listening to radio whilst painting a mural, and happened to get to hear your interview with Richard Fideler. It brought tears to my eyes as I was moved by it because i too am a careleaver in Australia..Your words tell the story of the experience of so many, your poetry sings the emotion. Thankyou for using your platform to cast a light over this darkness..This abuse of children in care is a collective experience around the world. It speaks volumes about vulnerability and power over, I am white, though through my experience of being displaced , i have a shared knowing of being marginalised and devalued, but at the same time I understand how much more so to have racisim chucked on top of that.. Apart from that we are from the same tribe, sharing the deepest wound of all.
This is a little about me. I was institutionalised at the age of 4yrs, separated from my entire family, including four siblings, not to hear from them for the duration of my time in .”care”…The institution lasted 7yrs and then I was fostered at age 11yrs. Then banished from that family to fend for myself at age 17. Then I spent the most part of my adult life, trying to piece my life, like you seachi g for family and documents. My mother was born in England so thinking she probably went back so i would get ever disheartened about ever finding her. Eventually I did get to find out about her but she had died..
I used to write poetry to express my feelings as I had no one to do this with. I have always wanted to write a book about my experiences ,but have not had the confidence to do so. . Thankyou for your inspiration, because the story is tugging at me. Although I have done a lot of self healing, contributed to senate enquiry and royal commision into these matters, nothing has been able totake away that deep sense of not belonging, the SHAME and STIGMA that is etched into every cell of my body.. My name is Terri So so would love to meet you in person
Terri and I was supposed to be in Sidney and Melbourne to read from my book but Lockdown.
Thanks for listening and yes we are a tribe all over the world. The shame is not ours!!
But yes we feel it.
Happy irthday sweet man
thankyou