And I know what I’ll be doing every April 12 from now on… celebrating Zephaniah Day a paean to poets.
London Hansworth’s Brunel University set the day up to immortalise the great dub poet, born here.
Although better known as a son of Birmingham where he grew up.
And fans of his writings, including very much this Edinburgh Fringe poet, will want to take in a major exhibition ‘The Brighter Flame’.
Featuring his work and life story, and displayed in different locations like Victoria Square and Snow Hill Square.
While a mural of The Great Orator has been unveiled in Handsworth Park.
A world poet
And while Zephaniah is writ large in Britain’s two biggest cities.
In truth, Zephaniah’s poetry travelled the world as indeed did he, spending his final days in China.
The dreadlocked rasta was quick to say in his lifetime how differently poetry was perceived around the world.
And on a much-replayed appearance on the Jonathan Ross chat show he relayed that in countries like Jamaica and India.
The public would come up to him and say show us what you’ve got.
Before responding to Ross’s invitation and launching into Overstanding on the show.
Ode to our national bards
The whole world, of course, comes together in verse every March 21 to celebrate the UNESCO World Poetry Day.
But right across the globe nations celebrate their countries’ own poets.
With those of a Scottish disposition and its diaspora raising their Burns Days on January 25 to a world level.
And the Irish marking James Joyce on Bloomsday every June 16.
While the Welsh mark the day when Dylan Thomas first read Under Milk Wood in 1953 with his own say.
Dear England
That there isn’t an actual day celebrating an English National Poet would seem a careless omission.
And you can take your pick from Shakespeare, Wordsworth or Keats.
Although we’d humbly suggest Zephaniah Day a paean to poets.
