In December 2011, 14 older people who attend Stones End Day Centre in Southwark came together to perform a selection of poetry and songs that they had written and composed over the last few weeks as part of our More Creative ~ Memories & Tales project. Inspired by the passing of time, the older people had worked together with our professional writer Leah Thorn, to create poems about events including celebrations, anniversaries, faith holidays, memorials, grandchildren and mixed Britannia.
Christmas Time is
It’s Mass on Christmas Eve time,
big Christmas tree time
Notice the kids’ time
or the kids’ cry time
It’s a drink, dance, eat time,
blow balloons by two, by three time,
sing up and down the street time.
It’s an on, off, on, off lights time,
corn and chicken with rice time.
Present surprise time,
decorate the house time.
It’s a beautiful day,
Christmas Day time
By Florence, Mary, Mercy, Millicent, Philip, Sylvia
They also worked together with our musician Jonathan Thorpe, setting some of their poems to soundscapes. The performance was attended by other members of Stones End Day Centre and staff.
My great niece had a dance performance last week and I told her that it wasn’t just her performing – that I was performing today too!
participant
If we were candles
If we were candles
bringing light into the world,
we’d bring –
happiness and music
love and sticky sweets,
no more war,
prosperity and peace
and a prayer for all families
and victims of crime,
joy and respect
all of the time
By Alan, Els, Molly, Raye