Brian Lewis was Birmingham's first poet laureate. He grew up in thecity and although he has since moved to Yorkshire the sound of Brum still echoes in his bones. Brian was also the first poet to respond to our challenge in a way that not only fitted the criteria set but also welcomed in further constraints. His first handwritten draft took him 25 minutes to complete.
Brian is, amongst many things, an amazing Sonnateer. His poetry collection Waters of Birmingham written from the eyes of the character Jude takes you on a wonderful journey through the city and his later books see Jude exploring pastures new. He is a craftsman, an artist and a great discoverer of people who he observes in all of their grit and their glory.
This poem, written in response to our challenge, recalls his boyhood in Birmingham and the garden on the Hagley Road beside the Monkey Run path where courting couples met and where he, as a child, went a- scrumping. It can be read on many levels. 'Japonica' alludes to Henry Reed's Naming of Parts and the metaphor of Old Adam hints at a Freudian snake. The poem originally ended with burrs and brambles on the Hagley Road but on reflection Brian chose rambles instead. The poem comes from the rambling of a young inner city boy who discovered the countryside on a suburb's edge some fifty years ago.
A Birmingham Garden
We went scrumping. 1951.
Me and Eve. Boy/Girl alone
in Eden. Stars shone
upon the Hagley Road.
Clone gardens. Not this
one. Like Japonica that kiss.
Gone? No, oh no. But I miss
that garden on the Hagley Road
Hiss. My old Adam stirs.
Dismiss speculation. Nothing occurs.
Bliss? Not even that. Just burrs
and rambles on the Hagley Road.
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