This week, Poetry Friday is hosted by Janice Scully @ Salt City Verse where Janice shares some original words and offers us a taste of Thomas Carlyle to ponder. I encourage you to join a host of poets from all around the globe and visit Janice's page...
Almost two years to the day, I wrote a post featuring the poem 'Refugees' by Brian Bilston.
The poem was included in Brian's first book of poetry, 'You Took The Last Bus Home.' A very powerful Reverso poem and technically brilliant.
A Reverso poem can be read from top to bottom or bottom to top. It will often express opposite opinions depending on which way you read it. Such poems really make us think. A Reverso poem is like a picture turned upside down, a frowning face upended to reveal a smiling one. The poem read in reverse, contradicts itself with an opposing message.
In 'Refugee' Brian Bilston focuses on a societal issue that tends to polarize feelings and the opposing views are clearly in evidence when the poem is read in both directions. Firstly, you are invited to read the poem from beginning to end. Then read the poem backwards from the last line to the first line and be instantly amazed by the contrasting view.
The reason I am revisiting this Bilston poem is to alert you to the fact that 'Refugees' is now featured in its own picture story book format -as it deserves, with illustrations by Jose' Sanabria. While reverso poems are quite challenging, the value of this poem lies in the discussion it generates. I have presented it to adult audiences and younger audiences alike. It never fails to evoke a powerful reaction. I think it would be an ideal addition to older primary/elementary/middle school classroom libraries. A book, a poem to make a reader think...
Refugees Brian Bilston
They have no need of our help
So do not tell me
These haggard faces could belong to you or me
Should life have dealt a different hand
We need to see them for who they really are
Chancers and scroungers
Layabouts and loungers
With bombs up their sleeves
Cut-throats and thieves
They are not
Welcome here
We should make them
Go back to where they came from
They cannot
Share our food
Share our homes
Share our countries
Instead let us
Build a wall to keep them out
It is not okay to say
These are people just like us
A place should only belong to those who are born there
Do not be so stupid to think that
The world can be looked at another way.
(now read from bottom to top)
I'm so glad this has been made into a picture book! Reverso poems stun me, and this one is such a beauty. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm clearly with you Irene. It is so pleasing to see this important poem reimagined.
DeleteWhat an amazing poem! There is such contrast and what a feat to accomplish that. Thank you Alan for posting this. It's so heartbreaking how other human beings are being portrayed, so unfair and cruel.
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing poem Janice. Like you I appreciate the poet's attempts to inject perspective into the issue of migration and the need to seek refuge. Reverso poems are a feat, as you say. This one in particular.
DeletePoignant, as it should be, Alan. Thank you for sharing that it's now a picture book, too. I hope I can find it! Each of us need to understand "These haggard faces could belong to you or me" & sadly, many do not.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find the book too Linda. Understanding is essential in order to address, ignorance, bigotry and xenophobic attitudes. Efforts like this poem, this book, contribute in ways that begin to erode ignorance.
DeleteAlan, thank you for sharing this poem, and how wonderful that it has been made into a picture book. Another one that needs to be in my collection. I am in awe of anyone who can write a reverso!
ReplyDeleteAs you say Sally, the fact that this poem has been reimagined as a picture book is wonderful. Reverso poems are a mountain for any poet to climb. One day perhaps...
DeleteAlan, reading this poem bottom up holds such an important message: So do not tell me/They have no need of our help... Thank you for sharing this call to action book.
ReplyDeleteA most important message Carol, without doubt. The words seep into the conscious spirit no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! This definitely deserves to be a stand alone picture book. Such contrast. Probably the best reverso I've ever read.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with you Kimberly. Brian's poem is an outstanding version of a Reverso.
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ReplyDeleteReally nice post. thank you for this. love fromAssamese Poem | Assamese Poetry | প্ৰেমৰ কবিতা