Just because he doesn't say things like 'the sweet veil of effervescent light' and other language tricks, doesn't mean it's not poetry; he uses devices like internal rhyme, repetition, and a very complex shifting meter (look at poets from the oral tradition, such as Chaucer, who had rhythmical lines, though not as rhythmically complex as this) This poetry is raw, and rhythmically driven; it doesn't mess about, and it tells you everything as it is. At least respect that not all poetry is the same
Let us all help to speed the day when this wonderful earth and its rich resources are held in common for the benefit of all humanity.Fraternally yours for the abolition of the monetary system.
I'm performing We Refugees next week with two others for an event. We decided to do it slam poetry style. I know its a bit different to the way he performs...
@iziahlights - the beauty of it is in it's simplicity. It's hardly 'far from intelligent' I find it be perceptive, and puts words to the thoughts of many people who can't articulate what they want to say. I'm from the working class and it appeals to me, but please don't put it down like that. Working class does not mean 'far from intelligent'. Also, I wonder what you would call intelligent poetry, so that I can see some examples and try to understand where you're coming from?
They're different and their poetry comes from different perspectives. I love them both, but we hear too little of LKJ these days. He's a modest and very private man, averse to adulation and the limelight than BZ. Friendly though. I know several people who love LKJ's work, then met and talked to him without having a clue that was HIM! Michael Marra was much the same. Like MM, LKJ will never be fully appreciated until he dies, and many will discover his work only then.
Benjamin Zephaniah is the opposite of trendy or cool. He could have been, but he chose a different path, and good on him. Getting to be trendy means either no politics or mere posturing and blandness, like Bono. The content of this poem is certainly NOT trendy, is it? You don't really mean the content, do you? You are apparently obsessed with the words, not what they say, with form over content. I'm sure you don't like Burns either.
Let us all help to speed the day when this wonderful earth and its rich resources are held in common for the benefit of all humanity. Abolish the monetary system comrades, One race the Human Race. Look up the Venus project.
He is ok and i respect the fact that he has done well for himself but far from intelligent poetry. I guess I am traditional, He is very different though and I think he apeals to the working class which is always a good thing.
Iain Robb Whether you distribute every poem you write or not does not affect the quality of your distributed works. They may be better than your other poems, but worse than other poets'.
Iain Robb do you know that BZ has publicly declined an OBE from Queen Elizabeth? I personally highly doubt a man like him who once refused an honorific title from a queen due to his Rastafarian religion and some kind of lack of faith in society would say "Yes!" to tons of money. If he gains lots of cash from his work, okay. But it wouldn't be the primary thing in which he believes the most I think. Well, that is if he does care about it, and I'd say that's why he wrote this poem.
@FreakBoi2008 The way you phase sentences is a deciding factor. Content is poor with this mans poetry in my own personal opinion. The words are too simple to take my mind to a place where I myself wish poetry to take me. I am not involved and feel that Mr Zephaniah is "trendy" thus must be "cool". You disagree, well then good for you. A personal opinion is just that.
My teacher showed this to me now...it’s timeless this poem
love this mans poem
Just because he doesn't say things like 'the sweet veil of effervescent light' and other language tricks, doesn't mean it's not poetry; he uses devices like internal rhyme, repetition, and a very complex shifting meter (look at poets from the oral tradition, such as Chaucer, who had rhythmical lines, though not as rhythmically complex as this)
This poetry is raw, and rhythmically driven; it doesn't mess about, and it tells you everything as it is. At least respect that not all poetry is the same
Not all poetry is the same. Not all poetry is good.
great job! we have worked with it in our english lesson:-D
He's telling the truth, "those who have it won't give you anything."
Thank you a lot Benjamin.Wondeful poem!
Our teacher played this at school HAH!
Budget Snoop Dogg
peace and love to you bro ? WISE WORDS !
This guy, i wrote a poem on a wall in the nineties, few months later this guys reads it out on Blue Peter. Plagurism. Phony
i know this off by heart:') LOVE BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH, true vegan inspiration.
this is bare cool I love it
Let us all help to speed the day when this wonderful earth and its rich resources are held in common for the benefit of all humanity.Fraternally yours for the abolition of the monetary system.
well done ben, u are a prophet in modern times
Very nice mon.
Love it....bril.
Good stuff Benjamin!
I'm performing We Refugees next week with two others for an event. We decided to do it slam poetry style. I know its a bit different to the way he performs...
lyrics please ?
Very nice recitation! I am impressed. Pradeep Ghosh recited that type of Bangla poem better than Benjamin before Benjamin in India.
i went to see him when i was in school :)
snoop dog éco +
That rapping though
bip up! to say it in the right language we would have to meet each other! rock on & on, just like that!
5 people are the ones that have it, and won't give you anthing...
I have read his autobiography
Genius.
@iziahlights - the beauty of it is in it's simplicity. It's hardly 'far from intelligent' I find it be perceptive, and puts words to the thoughts of many people who can't articulate what they want to say.
I'm from the working class and it appeals to me, but please don't put it down like that. Working class does not mean 'far from intelligent'.
Also, I wonder what you would call intelligent poetry, so that I can see some examples and try to understand where you're coming from?
Ya'll big men or nah..
nice
I like the message though!
wow chill..
Money is an angel on one side and a devil on the other. Give me the angelic side, not the devilish side.
They're different and their poetry comes from different perspectives. I love them both, but we hear too little of LKJ these days. He's a modest and very private man, averse to adulation and the limelight than BZ. Friendly though. I know several people who love LKJ's work, then met and talked to him without having a clue that was HIM! Michael Marra was much the same. Like MM, LKJ will never be fully appreciated until he dies, and many will discover his work only then.
Respec
Hahahaha very good
Ye go 😝
jeahhhh
you are small money your house's how many you got
Benjamin Zephaniah is the opposite of trendy or cool. He could have been, but he chose a different path, and good on him. Getting to be trendy means either no politics or mere posturing and blandness, like Bono.
The content of this poem is certainly NOT trendy, is it? You don't really mean the content, do you? You are apparently obsessed with the words, not what they say, with form over content.
I'm sure you don't like Burns either.
Not in the Bible. I wonder why not?
Let us all help to speed the day when this wonderful earth and its rich resources are held in common for the benefit of all humanity. Abolish the monetary system comrades, One race the Human Race. Look up the Venus project.
This guy is ace
benjamin zephaniah rong radio watch this
He is ok and i respect the fact that he has done well for himself but far from intelligent poetry.
I guess I am traditional, He is very different though and I think he apeals to the working class which is always a good thing.
money money :)
This is coming from a guy who has a lot of money. I can't even get a book deal, and I've been writing first-rate poetry for twenty years.
Perhaps it isn't as good as you think? No one likes someone who thinks their work is "first-rate".
Joshua Ryan
It's actually better. I regularly shelve perfectly good material because it doesn't live up to the standards I've set for myself.
Iain Robb Whether you distribute every poem you write or not does not affect the quality of your distributed works. They may be better than your other poems, but worse than other poets'.
Iain Robb do you know that BZ has publicly declined an OBE from Queen Elizabeth? I personally highly doubt a man like him who once refused an honorific title from a queen due to his Rastafarian religion and some kind of lack of faith in society would say "Yes!" to tons of money. If he gains lots of cash from his work, okay. But it wouldn't be the primary thing in which he believes the most I think. Well, that is if he does care about it, and I'd say that's why he wrote this poem.
money is a drug with legal aid.
Lol
@FreakBoi2008 The way you phase sentences is a deciding factor. Content is poor with this mans poetry in my own personal opinion. The words are too simple to take my mind to a place where I myself wish poetry to take me. I am not involved and feel that Mr Zephaniah is "trendy" thus must be "cool".
You disagree, well then good for you. A personal opinion is just that.
I really do not like this man.