John Siddique a supporter of The English PEN Road show, performed at Oakham Castle last night
part of the Oakham Festival.
I did not have the freedom to attend, prevented by Leicestershire Police who interfere in local politics.
For ninety years, English PEN has been fighting for the freedom to write and the freedom to read at home and abroad. they emphasise the role of literature in the development of mutual understanding and world culture; to fight for freedom of expression; and to act as a powerful voice on behalf of writers harassed, imprisoned and sometimes killed for their views.
It is a shame I could not meet this man. I am sure he had some interesting things to say.
A member of the public told me the event was attended by around 20 people.
They were welcomed by an aggressive and rude ticket collector, but they did not let that spoil their enjoyment of the evening.
Being told who the ticket collector was, it was no surprise they could not stay to
listen to his first poem, the last verse would have been very difficult for them.(gossip)
The evening started with John reading the following poem.
THIRST
Imagine thirst without knowing water.
And you ask me what freedom means.
Imagine love without love.
Some things are unthinkable,
until one day the unthinkable is here.
Imagine thirst without knowing water.
Some things we assume just are as they are,
no action is taken to make or sustain them.
Imagine love without love.
It is fear that eats the heart: fear and
endless talk, and not risking a step.
Imagine thirst without knowing water.
Fold away your beautiful thoughts.
Talk away curiosity, chatter away truth.
Imagine love without love.
Imagine believing in the whispers,
the screams and the gossip. Dancing to a tune
with no song to sing inside you.
Imagine love without love.
© John Siddique 2011
The poem was read at in New York by the occupy movement.
Another member of the public said if Siddique lived in Rutland
Rutland Police would arrest him.
Download a reader's guide to Full Blood
by Maureen Doallas
www.johnsiddique.co.uk
www.writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.co.uk
part of the Oakham Festival.
I did not have the freedom to attend, prevented by Leicestershire Police who interfere in local politics.
For ninety years, English PEN has been fighting for the freedom to write and the freedom to read at home and abroad. they emphasise the role of literature in the development of mutual understanding and world culture; to fight for freedom of expression; and to act as a powerful voice on behalf of writers harassed, imprisoned and sometimes killed for their views.
It is a shame I could not meet this man. I am sure he had some interesting things to say.
A member of the public told me the event was attended by around 20 people.
They were welcomed by an aggressive and rude ticket collector, but they did not let that spoil their enjoyment of the evening.
Being told who the ticket collector was, it was no surprise they could not stay to
listen to his first poem, the last verse would have been very difficult for them.(gossip)
The evening started with John reading the following poem.
THIRST
Imagine thirst without knowing water.
And you ask me what freedom means.
Imagine love without love.
Some things are unthinkable,
until one day the unthinkable is here.
Imagine thirst without knowing water.
Some things we assume just are as they are,
no action is taken to make or sustain them.
Imagine love without love.
It is fear that eats the heart: fear and
endless talk, and not risking a step.
Imagine thirst without knowing water.
Fold away your beautiful thoughts.
Talk away curiosity, chatter away truth.
Imagine love without love.
Imagine believing in the whispers,
the screams and the gossip. Dancing to a tune
with no song to sing inside you.
Imagine love without love.
© John Siddique 2011
The poem was read at in New York by the occupy movement.
Another member of the public said if Siddique lived in Rutland
Rutland Police would arrest him.
Download a reader's guide to Full Blood
by Maureen Doallas
www.johnsiddique.co.uk
www.writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.co.uk
