Black Country

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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.

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. In Subsidence, Rob Francis has explored how the area’s past has shaped not only what we see today but also its working class communities. 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.

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." And this is the booty she has plundered. In Birmingham Roller, she describes a bird's flight with the help of some of these lost words. If a reputation can be earned through the writing of half a dozen poems of real worth then Liz Berry has probably already written them, earning her place in the landscape of early 21st century British poetry. Her debut collection (containing 14 poems from the earlier chapbook The Patron Saint of Schoolgirls (tall-lighthouse, 2010) has charm, accessibility and a humour that belies the serious ways in which she exerts pressure to counter the hegemonies of language, gender, locality, even of perception. Berry is a teacher by profession and will, no doubt, have equivocal feelings about her work appearing in classrooms – but it will rapidly and rightfully find a place there.

The star stopped over the ouse where Jesus was, an the kings day worry cos it wor a Palace. They went in an knelt down by Jesus an gid him their gold, frankincense and myrhh. Is friend snapped at im: "Why doh yo shut yer moanin? Us two'll look this soide, an yo pair look the other." Another said: "It ay much use lookin in stables what'm shut. An if there's a new babby, they'll a the loight on."In this poem, Amina Jama explores the migrant experience in Britain, through the lens of a woman. The woman referred to in the poem, much like many immigrants in Britain, is othered. Her feelings are all deemed to be strange and unfamiliar. But as the poem unfolds, it becomes clear that many of the migrant woman’s experiences of loss, betrayal and poverty are human experiences. When er got there, Elizabeth was waiting at the gate an when er saw Mary er said: "Ar ay arf glad to see yo, but fancy yo cummin to see we in yor state." Although amusing, the poem does contain an important message regarding the integrity of our society. Towards the end of the poem, Zephaniah reminds the reader to ‘Give Justice and Equality to All’, no matter what. What a lovely supportive message! Liz will likely never know how much this meant to me at the time. 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."

Favourite quote: ‘ find a lamp and empty your paradise onto a desk: your white sands, green hills and fresh fish’. 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. Wot’s he gooin on abaat?!’ … A sunset seen from Bilston. Photograph: Michael Strachan/Getty Images/EyeEmThey 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." 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.

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. 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. Favourite quote: ‘You call it unprofessional because of course professionalism is straight and white’. 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. 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.In this heartfelt poem, Warsan Shire explores the themes of belonging, displacement, violence, and loss. The narrator shares their lived experience as an asylum seeker. Shire details the harsh realities of both what has been left behind but also the uneasiness of the present. Although frightening, the narrator makes it clear that this is still more preferable than her previous home, even if it is filled with discrimination and bigotry. The powerful use of metaphors throughout this poem creates vivid images that allow the reader to feel like they are with the narrator throughout their unsettling journey.