Adoracion's poem: our trip to the Southbank Centre

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Last month a group of 30 older neighbours and volunteers descended on the Southbank Centre to enjoy the Africa Utopia Festival. The day was a perfect example of young and older south Londoners getting together to experience the wonderful things London has on offer. It's not every day you get to hang out in the world's largest single-run arts centre with a gang of 80 year olds!

The trip included a Gamelan workshop in which everyone got to play the ancient Indonesian instrument ensemble together, as well as a concert by Kenyan singer Maia Von Lekow. The day was made even more special as Frances was there celebrating her 94^th birthday with us!

Adoracion (pictured right), a regular attendee of our Social Clubs, enjoyed the event so much she commemorated the day with a brilliant poem about her experience.

Adoracion lives in Peckham, and has recently started writing poetry again after a break of a few decades! Back in her twenties she was published in Reader's Digest – and she's planning to publish a collection of her poems next year. She’s kindly let us share her poem about the trip to the Southbank Centre with you here:

Another trip to a lovely place,
No idea what to expect,
Except to be out and enjoy the day
With whatever comes our way.

We were met by Hannah Davies,
Who requested us to have a seat,
To wait for the organizer to come,
To usher us to a nice surprise.

There I saw Tess and Charlie
Who walked with us to the basement,
To be met by a lady named Sophie,
Who will explain the Gamelan.

‘What is Gamelan?’ we all asked
‘A musical instrument’, she said.
They were so beautiful, so fantastic!
Amazing! Interesting! I can’t wait.

Sophie explained the origin,
Javanese instruments,
A gift from far away Indonesia
To our country Great Britain.

We were given our own spot
Where we could learn to play
These interesting instruments,
From a far away Indonesian land.

The sound is so unusual, so unique,
I was privileged to have a try.
Never in my wildest dreams
Did I think I’d have the opportunity.

Our time was up – we had to leave,
Time to have our lunch:
Eating while watching a lively band
Singing lovely songs from Africa.

The lunch was finished, the show has ended,
Reluctantly we have to leave.
What a wonderful, beautiful day.
We only hope for another lovely day.

Adoracion Macfarlane Copyright 2015

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