'With Love, Grief and Fury' by Salena Godden, beautiful cover design by Valeri Rangelow
With Love, Grief and Fury contains love poems, for people and the planet. Grief poems brimming with compassion, mourning what was and contemplating what could be. And poems of fire and fury that will kick some ass, tell the truth and inspire change and hope.
Over thirty years after she first stormed the UK poetry scene, the trailblazing and award-winning writer Salena Godden has produced her most audacious and definitive collection to date. Like a big sister’s arm around your shoulder, With Love, Grief and Fury is important and nourishing for the soul.
This is the story of a home. A story rooted in love. The story of a poet born of an Irish jazz musician and a Jamaican go-go dancer, an absent father and a resilient mother.
In Springfield Road, Salena Godden evokes an era when oranges seemed bigger and summers were longer, a world of half-penny sweets, free school milk, hand-me-downs and Thatcher’s Britain, for those too young to remember and for those old enough to know. For Salena, it was a time for learning that life can be brutal with first betrayals and first losses, but also that there are endless riches to be found in the world.
In equal parts powerful, tender and fearless, Springfield Road shows us where, in a world full of shadows, the light is to be found.
Join us in conversation with Annabelle Hirsch and Salena Godden talking about Annablle's remarkable book A History of Women in 101 Objects: A Walk Through Female History. A vital and beautiful collection that tells a new story of female history through a hundred and one objects, some extraordinary and others everyday.
The way we remember the past today remains dishearteningly patriarchal: a place where women have always been oppressed by men, from ancient times to the present day. A History of Women in 101 Objects tells a new story of female history, revealing the evolution of the role women have played in society through the quiet power of their everyday items. Much of what we’ve read about history focuses on the men in power: women’s stories are too often hidden or considered unremarkable. But in this collection, Annabelle Hirsch curates a compendium of women and their things, uncovering the thoughts and feelings at the heart of women’s daily lives, to offer an intimate and lively alternative history.
Acclaimed poets from the US and the UK take centre stage in the final event as part of the spoken word poetry organisation’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
Take part in a captivating evening that celebrates cultural exchange and artistic collaboration, and explores identity, social justice and the complexities of human nature. We’re joined by Kwame Dawes, Ugochi Nwaogwugwu and Jive Poetic from the US; and Salena Godden and Lemn Sissay from the UK.
Supported by some of the UK’s freshest new voices and house band, this event transcends borders, uniting cultures through the universal languages of music and poetry. Part of the Speak Up Newcomer programme connecting US & UK poets, produced by Apples and Snakes and Young Identity.
BOOK NEWS: I have some poetry published in two new anthologies both out on National Poetry Day, October 5th 2023:
365 Poems For Life
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 5th, NATIONAL POETRY DAY
Discover 365 Poems for Life, an uplifting poem-a-day collection from award-winning curator Allie Esiri. This nourishing poem-a-day collection offers readers a brief moment of escape from daily life through some of the warmest words in the English language. Whether you’re searching for wisdom or looking to boost your wellbeing, dip into this anthology to share with others or enjoy a quiet moment of calm every day of the year. Explore a wide range of poets, including Maya Angelou, Carol Ann Duffy, Kae Tempest, Dylan Thomas, Ocean Vuong, Salena Godden and many more. The perfect gift for poetry lovers and newbies alike, this beautiful anthology brings a moment of solace every day of the year.
The Forward Book of Poetry 2024
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 5th, NATIONAL POETRY DAY
The Forward Book of Poetry 2024 brings together the best poetry published in the British Isles over the last year, including the winners of the 2024 Forward Prizes. In showcasing the range and ambition of today’s fresh voices alongside new work by familiar names, this anthology is a perfect introduction to contemporary poetry. The Forward Prizes are invaluable in finding the most essential, exciting voices, highlighting the contemporary poets who are at the top of their game and whose words will travel far and reach many readers. The Forward Book Of Poetrybrings together the best poetry from 2023, including great work shortlisted and Highly Commended in the Forward Prizes. In showcasing the range and ambition of today’s fresh voices alongside work by familiar names, this anthology is both a perfect introduction to contemporary poetry and invaluable for the seasoned poetry reader.
Highly Commended Poems by
AJ Akoto · Anthony Anaxagorou · Vicci Bentley · Tara Bergin · Liz Berry · Laurie Bolger · Chen Chen · Geraldine Clarkson · Rishi Dastidar · Akwaeke Emezi · Katie Farris · Salena Godden · Em Gray · Elle Heedles · Selima Hill · Emma Jeremy · Majella Kelly · Victoria Kennefick · Karl Knights · Zaffar Kunial · Nick Laird · Vanessa Lampert · Fran Lock · Adam Lowe · Arji Manuelpillai · Joseph Minden · Emma Must · Daljit Nagra · Selina Nwulu · Damen O’Brien · Sean O’Brien · Pádraig Ó Tuama · Sandeep Parmar · Rhiya Pau · Michael Pedersen · Geoffrey Philp · Stav Poleg · Jacob Polley · Shivanee Ramlochan · Yvonne Reddick · Deryn Rees-Jones · Dean Rhetoric · Roger Robinson · Declan Ryan · Jacqueline Saphra · Celia A Sorhaindo · Ahren Warner · Nerys Williams · Anna Woodford · Luke Samuel Yates ·
Video 'While Justice Waits' on YouTube
The summer of 2023 ends with the devastating and tragic death of beautiful poet Gboyega Odubanjo. I share this poem and thelink to the Go Fund Me - Please donate and share this!
I was performing at Shambala with so many of you and feel so sad and sorry and shocked that this young star and brilliant poet was lost. I stand in grief and solidarity with my global poetry family, with Gboyega's friends and family, I share this with all my love and condolences.
Gboyega’s family have started a Go Fund Me to support his final arrangements and to start The Gboyega Odubanjo Foundation. Please donate and support.
"We are launching the Gboyega Odubanjo Foundation for low-income Black writers, with funds from this appeal also going towards the foundation. His poetry and writing has been a beacon of light to many."
