In this heartfelt poem, Warsan Shire explores the themes of belonging, displacement, violence, and loss. The narrator shares their lived experience as an asylum seeker. Shire details the harsh realities of both what has been left behind but also the uneasiness of the present. Although frightening, the narrator makes it clear that this is still more preferable than her previous home, even if it is filled with discrimination and bigotry. The powerful use of metaphors throughout this poem creates vivid images that allow the reader to feel like they are with the narrator throughout their unsettling journey.

Wot’s he gooin on abaat?!’ … A sunset seen from Bilston. Photograph: Michael Strachan/Getty Images/EyeEm In Subsidence, Rob Francis has explored how the area’s past has shaped not only what we see today but also its working class communities. I have to admit, I don’t look thrilled here, but after receiving this trophy I was so full of adrenaline I don’t think I could have smiled! Is friend snapped at im: "Why doh yo shut yer moanin? Us two'll look this soide, an yo pair look the other." Another said: "It ay much use lookin in stables what'm shut. An if there's a new babby, they'll a the loight on." If a reputation can be earned through the writing of half a dozen poems of real worth then Liz Berry has probably already written them, earning her place in the landscape of early 21st century British poetry. Her debut collection (containing 14 poems from the earlier chapbook The Patron Saint of Schoolgirls (tall-lighthouse, 2010) has charm, accessibility and a humour that belies the serious ways in which she exerts pressure to counter the hegemonies of language, gender, locality, even of perception. Berry is a teacher by profession and will, no doubt, have equivocal feelings about her work appearing in classrooms – but it will rapidly and rightfully find a place there.Rob, who is a lecturer in creative and professional writing at the University of Wolverhampton began penning the poems before the 2016 Brexit referendum. I told my dad I was writing this and asked him (at the pub) what makes our sense of humour so distinctive. He thought for a minute, sipped his beer, and said: “Everyone round here thinks they’m a comedian.” In the noight, Mary woke Joseph up an said: "The babby's ere." So Jesus was born, an they wrapped im up tight an put im in the manger what the osses et out on. Mary an Joseph wor arf proud. the innkeeper cum with is missus an brought Mary sum ot milk.

In Nova Scotia, Eliza discovers a place where ordinary things are transfigured into treasures - a red ribbon, the feel of a foal's mane, the sound of her name on someone's lips. With nothing to call her own, the wild beauty of Cape Breton is the only solace Eliza has - until another Home Child, a boy, comes to the farm and changes everything. If you would like to comment on these poems, or if you would like to see one of your own here at Yampy We see this same thing throughout the poem in her use of punctuation, in her rare enjambment, in the ways she plays with allusions, and especially in the fun she has with the homonymic potential of the English language. Toward the latter two points, I will never cease to wonder at her play on the word “Cain” to indicate the potential for refinement (and, therefore, exalted status) of the darker of the two sons of Adam and Eve, as well as the expected refinement (and, therefore, salvation) of the sugar cane (and sugar cane workers) at the center of the slave trade. Wheatley revels in the ways that something can appear to have one conclusion and also another.Suddenly the sky lit up loike bonfire noight, an an angel cum. They day know owt about angels and they was that frittened they all fell on the ground. A route to the four corners of the world … Pumping station on the Birmingham to Wolverhampton Canal. Photograph: Alamy The King's name was Erod, an ee was in. "There's three kings to see yo," the soldier told im. "Oh ar?" said Erod. "Weer?" Ee ad a fit when the soldier told im "Outside."

When er got there, Elizabeth was waiting at the gate an when er saw Mary er said: "Ar ay arf glad to see yo, but fancy yo cummin to see we in yor state." Another agreed an said: "It wor arf a good tune what hey sung, but I cor remember the words, con you?"About the Author: Pete Bouncer, or "Bounce", says he is "just on the wrong side of fifty". A metal polisher by trade and born & bred in Walsall town centre, he started writing around 30 years ago for his own pleasure. "I never really thought anyone else would be interested" he tells us. He's dead wrong on that score! When eed gone, Mary sat fer a bit an thought about it, then er med up er mind to goo and see Elizabeth. So er ad a swill an went off ter Juda. In this poem, Amina Jama explores the migrant experience in Britain, through the lens of a woman. The woman referred to in the poem, much like many immigrants in Britain, is othered. Her feelings are all deemed to be strange and unfamiliar. But as the poem unfolds, it becomes clear that many of the migrant woman’s experiences of loss, betrayal and poverty are human experiences.

An uplifting poem which highlights the importance of self-belief in our daily lives. Robinson’s poem is an ode to his grandma’s advice, which almost becomes a mantra for him. The poem makes subtle references to how the outside world can affect our own perception of life and self. The ‘ portable paradise’ is never specified but can be interpreted differently by each individual. Mary looked at the presents an said: "Thank yo, they'm smashin, but Oi'll keep em till ee's bigger, if yo doh moind." The kings took off their crowns and bowed. Yo'm a silly lot," said the angel. "I shore urt yer. I got a message for yer. There's a baby bin born in Bethlehem. Is name is Jesus an ees God's son. Goo an ave a look at im. Ee's in a stable lyin in a manger." The shepherds cum donw the ill into Bethleheman they kep on about the angels. One said: "Fancy angels cummin to we. We ay nobody. It ay as if we'm important."Favourite quote: ‘You call it unprofessional because of course professionalism is straight and white’. The old words are the best – or, at least, they have an integrity, a patina, like a quirky handful of coins. They make some of the poems seem attractively dated. In Homing, Berry eloquently laments the tyranny of elocution lessons in what we assume to be her mother's – or grandmother's – life and explains: "Clearing your house, the only thing/ I wanted was that box, jemmied open/ to let years of lost words spill out –/ bibble, fettle, tay, wum,/vowels ferrous as nails…" About the Author: Gary lives in Woodsetton and was educated at Tudor Primary and High Arcal. He worked at Baggeridge, and is in the Crispin most Sundays, so knows of what he writes. Although amusing, the poem does contain an important message regarding the integrity of our society. Towards the end of the poem, Zephaniah reminds the reader to ‘Give Justice and Equality to All’, no matter what.