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Black Country

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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. Wot’s he gooin on abaat?!’ … A sunset seen from Bilston. Photograph: Michael Strachan/Getty Images/EyeEm 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." The next un was like it an all, but Joseph said to the chap: "Aint there anywhere we can goo? My missus is out theer on a donkey, an er's gooin ter av a babby soon."

Another agreed an said: "It wor arf a good tune what hey sung, but I cor remember the words, con you?" The old words are the best – or, at least, they have an integrity, a patina, like a quirky handful of coins. They make some of the poems seem attractively dated. In Homing, Berry eloquently laments the tyranny of elocution lessons in what we assume to be her mother's – or grandmother's – life and explains: "Clearing your house, the only thing/ I wanted was that box, jemmied open/ to let years of lost words spill out –/ bibble, fettle, tay, wum,/vowels ferrous as nails…"I have to admit, I don’t look thrilled here, but after receiving this trophy I was so full of adrenaline I don’t think I could have smiled!

When eed gone, Mary sat fer a bit an thought about it, then er med up er mind to goo and see Elizabeth. So er ad a swill an went off ter Juda.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. About the Author: Pete Bouncer, or "Bounce", says he is "just on the wrong side of fifty". A metal polisher by trade and born & bred in Walsall town centre, he started writing around 30 years ago for his own pleasure. "I never really thought anyone else would be interested" he tells us. He's dead wrong on that score! 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. Favourite quote: ‘ find a lamp and empty your paradise onto a desk: your white sands, green hills and fresh fish’.

A route to the four corners of the world … Pumping station on the Birmingham to Wolverhampton Canal. Photograph: Alamy 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.Favourite quote: ‘You call it unprofessional because of course professionalism is straight and white’. 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.

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