Below is a poetic response by Jez Green (Mustard Tree’s Freedom Project Coordinator) to the recent riots in Manchester.

These Words

These words can
not explain
how I feel.

If I say I am grieving
you’ll think me bereaved.

If I write violated
you’ll consider me abused.

Distressed is close
but I carry no anxiety:
disturbed, yes,
but not depressed.

Troubled not tormented;
concerned not worried;
astonished, yet not surprised;
aghast, yes, but far from afraid.

You can break our windows
but never our spirit;
steal our trinkets
but nothing of value.

You can burn our cars
but not our hopes;
ravage our city
but never, never our
glory.

To see the full version with image please click here