Author Archives: Amanda Hemmings

‘One in eight kids live in book poverty, not owning a single book.’ – The Big Issue (29th August 2019) The book box library lid is closed to those without keys to unlock creations of pages of inviting illustrations and words for igniting imaginations. Children picking picture books off bookshelves for story time before bedtimeContinue reading “Book Poverty”

I’ve built wings for this voice: Unstitching traditions I’ve worn ever since these lips became eclipsed by broken screams. These wings are breaking the boxes- Dissociating from pressures to project mainstreams sketches of red roses. Untangling from the crocheted expectations, to start sewing together the speech that’s been sitting dormant amongst discouragement. I’m interrupting transmissionsContinue reading “Wings”

My Grandad,my friend,when I play your recordsI’ll think of you,I’ll think abouthow we used to sit on your sofaand talk about Jamaica.I’ll think aboutthe first time you showed meyour first passport picture.I’ll think about the stories you told me – You stepped off the boat and breathed in the British mist,holding in hands heavy dreamsuprootedContinue reading “1954”

I gave my niece the book I used to read when I was six, she sits and reads it in anticipation, turning the pages, meeting the characters I once met on the street I once knew. Amanda Hemmings