Dream Here… A poem by Panya Banjoko

Between April and June 2016, New Art Exchange and the Centre for Research in Race and Rights (C3R) at the University of Nottingham worked in partnership with the local community to create the Pathways mural.

Between April and June 2016, New Art Exchange and the Centre for Research in Race and Rights (C3R) at the University of Nottingham worked in partnership with the local community to create the Pathways mural. In reflection of the project Panya Banjoko from Nottingham Black Archives wrote a poem, Dream Here… which was performed at the mural unveiling.

 

Dream Here…

We stand here, weathered by time
in this tarmac city
where boulders take the shape of lofty lions
and shops line the edges
bringing continents to our doors.

Like Scipio, we come from far
when the wind rushed and raged
and the timber creaked
we bent our backs, tilted up our heads
stood firm like the Wawa tree.

In between the smell of papayas and mangoes
where once the flats stood tall
and wishful tears like streams
made Adinkira patterns on the streets
we stand on the Green

watch damp grey wall burst with floral shades
surrounded by heatless sun it sings
buds, blossoms like the lignum vitae
makes use of the riotous backdrop
to blend and swirl into a futuramic display.

Here is a place for Us
to stand and stare, to remember the heroes
the saintly acts, the pomp and pride
the way back when and the yet to come
here is a place for the young

to dream…

By Panya Banjoko

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