BURY FESTIVAL: Poems with political resonance from Benjamin Zephania

Benjamin Zephania did not disappoint his Apex audience as ‘the bloke from Birmingham’ performed a number of his poems which, despite the passing of years, have strong political resonance today.

Promoting his autobiography, The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah, the dreadlocked poet’s powerful message of inequality throughout the world was both entertaining and authentic.

Us and Them written in 1987 still held relevance today and was preceded by horrifying numbers of the world’s poorest and most deprived.

There was also a moving piece about the deportation of Joy Gardner who died as she was being deported – her death witnessed by her young son.

It was not all doom and gloom as the pieces were interjected with some amusing chat from the man who resolutely rejects the idea of a poet laureateship.

Listening to the Wrong Radio Station was dramatic and beautifully paced in his attack on modern advertising and communications and, following a question and answer session, he closed with Be Nice to Your Turkey – a reminder to love all creatures.