‘The first poet whose name I could remember’
I have a memory, at age nine, of reading a poem in year four (around 2000 or 2001), called Funky Chicken. I must have loved the absurd humour and playful tone, because it stayed with me for many years. I remember Benjamin Zephaniah being a presence since then. He was probably the first poet whose name I could remember. I’ve since loved everything he does and says and believe him to be a pioneer in art, education and social change. What a force, a true artist, actor and revolutionary. Ogul Can, 32, actor and musician, Lewisham
