Young Roots (YPL)

Young people

Young Roots Group poems

Here we’re thrilled to share poems written by young women who took part in a series of online workshops with Cecilia when she was in residence with Young Roots and the Refugee Council. The aim of the workshops was to support the young women to use poetry to help them express themselves and to find ways to share experiences and support each other – especially when isolated during lockdown. They created some astonishing work that we’re thrilled to share with you here. The poems are published here anonymously.

Illustrations by Jess Nash.

  • The Right

    The Right

    To say no, and to not feel guilty.

    Embrace my culture.

    To love, and to be loved.

     

    To go to school and to be happy.

    Work, study, equal to men.

    To get the same pay.

     

    To be safe and to be free

    from violence, from discrimination,

    have my freedom to say what I want.

     

    To go anywhere I like.

    To feel good, do what I want.

    To ride a bike. To drive.

     

    The right to be accepted

    for my choices in life. To be myself.

    To appreciate myself.

     

    To follow myself. To follow

    my dreams. To understand

    that we are all the same

     

    no matter where we came from.

    The right to come back home,

    feeling love.

  • You Are

    You Are

    All the flowers in my garden.

    My diary, when I need to talk.

     

    The sun when the sky is grey,

    A glass of water.

     

    The rose that stands bold after its been hurt.

    Golden hair. The light

     

    coming on in a dark room.

    A mother’s love.

     

    The morning’s singing bird.

    Golden.

     

    When my heart stops beating, you’re

    my heart beat.

     

    My lifeline when I am

    on the edge.

     

    You’re the hoping of dawn

    that my eyes drink,

    the heart of a book.

     

    The music that lifts, the smile that shines

    in me. The smile that makes the trees sing.

     

    You’re my legs when I can’t walk.

    The silence, and the voice.

     

    You’re my verses. The hope I testify to.

    The gift.

     

    Every important thing

    in the world.

     

    I am here because you have been

    at my side.

  • Spring

    Spring

    Spring trumpets.

    Flying smiles, sunshine.

    Freedom, dancing, soft skin, love.

    Life is beautiful.

     

    The acid green refreshing smell.

    Retro yellows, browns and gold.

    Green eyes, green trees.

    The sea, mountains, leaves.

    Basil, spinach

    fresh cucumber.

    Green apples and peppers.

    The music.

    The green birds.

    The grass, your T-shirt.

    My dress.

    A stormy morning.

    The cover of my favourite book.

    Our Whatsapps.

     

    Ripe lemons, turmeric.

    Flowers and daffodils, crocus and blossom.

    a bunch of bananas.

    Comets and clouds, stars inspired.

    Washing up gloves and sunglasses.

     

    Your cheeks are like bright pink pens.

    The green plants are all human life,

    my heart opens like a book.

    Night falls like an orange ball,

    you see your childhood over and over again.

     

    I can do anything. Paint.

    Travel. I’m ready.

    Walk for longer,

    stay out in the light,

    Ice cream and friends,

    birds singing, birth

    good air.

  • I have been enjoying the crowd on the streets today

    I have been enjoying the crowd on the streets today

    I have been enjoying the crowd on the streets today.

    Excitement is a light blue stomach.

    I have been enjoying my art.

    Happiness is mint green teeth.

    I have been enjoying sleeping throughout the night.

     

    I remember whole mornings full of sadness,

    a huge tightness in my chest.

    Anxiety is a scary brain.

    Sadness, a black heart,

    confusion is a silver head.

    Grey clouds surround me. The confused day is full.

     

    I left my family and I always miss them every single day.

    Outside my window I can see the beautiful birds,

    a tree and a house and so many cars.

    I see people running.

    A middle-aged man walking with his hands in the pockets.

    I wish my older brother was here.

    I want to see my family again.

    I want to see my mother again.

    And of all the green flowers bringing happiness to my eyes.

     

    I will never stop believing in freedom.

    I will never stop believing my laughter.

     

    I remember the confidence I had in my body

    in that transparent sea.

    Relaxation, a blue mind.

    I remember the beach

    laying on the soft shiny sand. The sun was kissing

    my skin and sea singing its wavey melody to my ears.

     

    My favourite place is Asmera.

    The beach, the countryside.

    My favourite place is Massawa.

    I know how to cook Anjera.

    I know how to ride a bike.

    I know how to eat,

    I know how to make zigni.

     

    I will never stop believing in myself.

    I will never stop believing in change.

    I will never stop believing that everything will be good.

     

    If I could change the world, there would never be hungry children.

    If I could change the world, there would never be no wars.

    All family would live together forever,

    no war and more peace.

     

    I am a human,

    I am atoms,

    I am happiness

  • Our Places

    Our Places

    I see the street and someone’s house

    I see trains rolling by and the pigeons

    I see the endless jungle and heavy clouds

    I see two squirrels playing

    I see music and bed

    I see birds and monkeys

     

    I hear the silence

    I hear voices in the other room

    the cat purring on the bed

    I hear cars

    the TV

    I hear my mum

    the waves of the sea

     

    I feel the ice on my head

    I feel cold and happy

    I feel the hot air blowing on my skin

    and the snow

    I feel the warm sun

    and wet rain

    I feel the sun shining down on my face

    I feel the heat and wind

     

    I smell chicken and rice

    the wet grass and the bare trees

    coffee and oranges

    the sand blended with sea water

     

    it’s a windy place

    it’s raining

    it’s snowing

    the weather is hot

    there’s a light sea breeze

     

    I’m running along the beach with my dog

    I’m sitting on that bench with you

    children are running trying to catch the chickens

    I’m dancing on a starry night on the beach

    I’m talking with my mum

    drinking tea with her

    I’m having a good time in a good place with my best friend

    I’m stretching my arms to feel free

     

    the rain is a blanket

    the wind holds me

    the sun is a wheel

    the beach is a heaven

    his smile is a bullet

    your eyes are an ocean

     

    sometimes I want to walk in the rain

    sometimes I want to go Germany

    sometimes I want to dive very deep in the sea

    sometimes I just want to feel a hot breeze on my face

    sometimes i want to fly like bird to feel free

    sometimes I want to walk

  • I’ve Been Thinking About

    After Danusha Laméris

    I’ve Been Thinking About

    After Danusha Laméris

    how nice is to walk in the Spring and breathe in the air

    how babies make me beam

    how you make the best cups of tea

    how when I call my father I feel happy

    how he buys me flowers

     

    I’ve been thinking about when I chat with my friends

    and they make me smile

    when they call by

    and we drink too much coffee and we talk

    when they remember my birthday

     

    how the bus driver slows down to help me

    when someone asks me how I am

    when I see my sister’s children on video chat

    how safe it felt when you said ‘welcome back’