Disability Arts Online

 

I wrote a humorous poem which I submitted to the Wolverhampton Archives Poetry Competition 2011. It was judged anonymously.

 

 

I heard a friend from Birmingham say,

"If yow thought Brummies sounded funny,

man, wait'll yow get ta Woolverramton, t’ay

y’naa, them am tekkin the piss an it aye!”

English? I believe it’s an interpretation thing.

 

Once I met an old Indian woman at a bus stop,

“Bulbulhamtan noo jaandi hai bus?” she asked.

Smiling, I nodded, “Haanji, it’s only a short hop.”

Chuckling to myself, “My entertaining city, it’s top!”

Punjabi? I believe it’s an interpretation thing.

 

A Black-Caribbean man stopped and enquired,

“Ary yu dat ‘umaan hoo work in di counceel?”

Confused, I asked him to repeat what he required,

“Hulvahaamtown Counceel, mi dear gal!” he fired.

Patois? I believe it’s an interpretation thing.

 

Every category of human being all within reach,

A specially formulated city; a hint of prejudice.

Engaging everyday life; diverse tongues, speech,

An accidental evolution; an awareness to teach,

Wolverhampton? It’s an interpretation thing.

 

When I wrote this, I remembered the numerous conversations I’d had and heard while traveling on the buses, on the streets, in the market place, at work etc. I wanted to give my work some humour and wit.

 

I could hardly believe it when I was told that my poem had been selected as a winner in the competition. I had never won anything in relation to my writing before. So, as you can imagine, I was very excited and pleased to have my poem chosen as a third prize winner. I felt privileged to be among the top local poets like Jane Seabourne, Peter Hill and Win Saha. Wow!

 

As a winner, I was asked to collect my prize at a presentation event and read my poem out to an audience at Wolverhampton Archives, where we were to be photographed for the local newspapers.  I thought, “OMG!” how was I going to read it out in public. I asked if someone else could read my poem for me, as I knew my speech would not give it the justice it needed. It was performed by my friend Daljit Bains.

 

Being a winner gave me pride in myself as a writer and poet. Now my poem, along with other winners is archived in Wolverhampton City Archives for future generations to see.