Introducing Tony's brilliant poetry

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Tony’s lived near the Old Kent Road for thirty years. Last year, we met him through our Winter Wellbeing project. Since then, Tony’s been coming to two or three social clubs a month. If you’ve been to one of our Streatham brunches or film nights in Elephant and Castle, chances are he’s wowed you with tales of working in the British Museum or his encyclopaedic knowledge of books. So we knew Tony was a bibliophile, but until this week, we had no idea that he had literary talents of his own. It turns out Tony is a brilliant poet. 

Chatting to Tony we discovered he’s written over 2000 poems, and previously worked as a proofreader and typist for Pulitzer prize-winning poet Robert Lowell, who recognised and encouraged his talents. 

This week Tony sent us some verses about loneliness, introspection and his positive experience making friends through South London Cares. He wrote them just this week! And, with his permission – we wanted to share them with you. 

Please do give them a read. And of course, if you bump into him at a social club, let him know what you think. 

I SEE FRIENDS

I see friends outside
Who don’t see me-,
I browse the aisles,
At home by three.
I see hope transforming fantasy
And change, inside, that sets  me free. 
I see faces, filled  with wondrous  glee- 
Real friends I ‘ve made at SLC-
I see you all as you see me:
Inspired  by  mutual company.

THERE 

There is a violence in your mischief 
In your silence, in your way, 
Come out, my friend, from inside, 
From that lifeless, disarray 
Speak up! But not by thinking, 
But, in sharing other’s play 
And let stress that bore its mischief 
Pass by and fade away

These wonderful poems are testament to the fact that your older neighbours have skills, talents and perspectives that often go unshared and unspoken. Our social clubs are a chance to discover and discuss these talents and ideas  – to converse and exchange with people you wouldn’t normally have an opportunity to meet – and to celebrate each other.