Poetry / Black British poetry
Former Bristol City Poet Vanessa Kissule features in new anthology of Black British poetry
Curated by the award-winning writer and broadcaster Lemn Sissay and first published in 1998, The Fire People proved to be a seminal anthology of Black British and Asian poetry, inspiring generations of poets and a spoken word movement that is still flourishing, 20 years on.
Now, the mantle has been taken up by a new, contemporary cohort. Edited by the widely acclaimed poet Kayo Chingonyi (A Blood Condition; Kumukunda), More Fiya: A New Collection of Black British Poetry is published this spring by Canongate Press.
A double book tour in celebration of the launch – and the reissue of The Fire People – will be coming to Arnolfini on June 23. The event will showcase new and established poets from both the collections, including former Bristol City Poet Vanessa Kissule, who features in More Fiya.
is needed now More than ever
More Fiya (ed. Kayo Chingonyi) and The Fire People (ed. Lemn Sissay). Cover designs by Gill Heeley – image: Canongate Press
Francis Bickmore from Canongate likens the collection to “the Avengers Assemble” of new Black and Asian poets. “Like its forebear The Fire People,” he says, “the new book rejoices in the crosscurrents that join music and performance and poetry.”
Auntiehood
It
is not,
nor was it ever,
about the crass fact of blood.
There’s aunts and there’s aunties.
Diaspora kids heed the difference,
just-so ratio of hip to metronome earring.
Sometimes but not often your father’s sister,
more likely your mum’s scorned but grudgingly
favoured friend, some uncle’s not-so-secret mistress
turned community seer sat in the sagging sofa’s mouth
gossip drunk, hips waterfalling from jeans,
slander on another auntie visits her tongue,
leaves oily stains on the ‘Persian’ rug.
If you have to ask if she is or isn’t,
she’s not. Know that auntiehood
can’t be forced or coaxed
into the spirit, one day
you are summoned,
refashioned in
kissed teeth
and razor
tut.
Vanessa Kissule
https://www.instagram.com/p/CduxHwDsExw/
Bristol Ideas: A Celebration of Black British Poetry is at Arnolfini on June 23 at 7pm. Tickets are available via www.eventbrite.co.uk. More Fiya: A New Collection of Black British Poetry is out now, from Canongate Press.
Main photo: Canongate Press (cover designs by Gill Heeley)
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