Poems I am sharing with you
Windrush more than just a journey ©️ wordshavepurpose.com
Composed for Preston Windrush Festival ‘78 (June 2026)
On the 22nd of June 1948,
I want you all to remember this date!
The HMT Empire Windrush ship brought some of the first Caribbeans to the UK,
Their travel ticket was roughly 10 shillings, 28 pounds that they had to pay,
The Windrush generation were invited to rebuild the country after World War two,
Accepting the Royal invitation was such an honourable thing to do!
Because they were part of the British Commonwealth, working and living here was no problem at all!
They weren't illegal, the government asking them to come over was like a family member asking for help within a phone call.
Our Windrush descendents left their family, homes, partners and communities in paradise behind,
Settling in cities such as Preston, taking on whatever work they could find.
They were selfless, courageous and endured racism, trauma, fianancial hardship and health inequalities,
This didn't stop them creating their own borrowing system called a partner, aka a sub, a Caribbean banking economy.
Home made remedies were shared to cure any illness or infection,
Accompanied by a diet of dashin, yam, green banana, rice and peas, chicken, dumpling soup to name a small selection.
Our Windrush family customised everything and made it their own
Music, food, fashion, dancing, even how they spoke patois on the phone
Jalgoes, the Caribbean Community Sports and Social Club, the Caribbean Carnival and churches were just a few things they set up in Preston,
Their dedication to set roots down in this city, I know God truly blessed them
Greeting one another and establishing long lasting friendships was important,
Just like how they sent goods back home to help their communities there was no financial reinforcement.
One people, one community, one love, equals unity,
The legacy left by our precious, outstanding, Windrush Heroes within our community!
Remembering our legendary Windrush Heros
Copyright ©️ wordshavepurpose
Composed for for Preston Windrush Festival ‘78 (June 2026)
Today we take a moment to remember our Windrush family who are no longer with us,
Showing respect and honouring their legacy is an absolute must!
They left their various Caribbean islands and came over to the UK,
Many didn't know whether they would be accepted or allowed to stay.
Enduring hardship, racism, discrimination and traumatic experiences,
Not because of their characters but because of their appearances.
They sacrificed comfort and familiarity, displaying bravery to leave their home,
Setting roots here in Preston, their future unknown.
Our hero's helped shape our community through education, healthcare, music, food, advice and so much more,
An independent, ambitious, hardworking, dedicated people, what more could you ask for?!
We are proud of their determination, we loved them all so dearly,
I hope the expression in my voice expresses this clearly!
We as the next generation have a duty to allow our Windrush Heroes legacy to live on,
We are one people it doesn't matter which Caribbean island your heritage is from.
Although you all are no longer with us anymore,
Preston Windrush 78 celebrates every single one of you, your the foundation for it's core!
Riot Reflections 2024- The poem that touched hearts inspiring the creation of Words Have Purpose
Copyright ©️ wordshavepurpose.com
Each day we wake up in the morning and get ready for the day,
Not ever considering there may be others, questioning our home and whether we have the right to stay.
When I look into the mirror I don’t see a black woman or someone who doesn’t belong,
I see myself as a human being but because my skin colour is brown, apparently this is wrong.
Without knowing my personality you consciously make a decision,
To hate me for my appearance, which cuts deeper than a surgeon’s incision.
If only you took the time to understand my heritage,
You’d find out my family was invited, encouraged to support the British lineage.
So when I woke up one day to hear about the riots out of the blue,
Previously believing racism had calmed down, it was too good to be true.
The fear and vulnerability that many people felt,
Was another unwanted traumatic experience that we were all dealt.
The anxiety made us question where we could go, what we could do and say,
But to many others there was no risk, just simply another day.
Our religious buildings, shops and community centres,
Were vandalised, disrupted with the purpose to emotionally dent us.
The media made sure that our mental health was affected,
Some people pretended like nothing was happening, leaving us feeling neglected.
Our Trust Chief Executive decided to make a stand,
Ensuring all staff felt safe, heard, supported, despite each individual’s band.
Many decided to become allies or offered safe spaces,
To those needing encouragement, motivation or just to see supportive faces.
The riots were created to tear apart our identity,
It made me listen to strangers, my peers and family more attentively.
Racial trauma is a real thing and shouldn’t be placed on the back burner,
Just because the riots ended, the negative images of its impact remains, it’s not a mummer.
So before making a comment, policy or procedure regarding the riots or racial trauma,
Setting, hurdles, unrealistic expectations keeps us in a psychological coma.
It adds to the already heavy experiences we’ve been exposed to in our life,
Causing misery, stress, panic, anxiety and strife.
We live not knowing when the next riot, trauma or racist remark,
Will pierce our self-esteem, our peace, heading straight to the heart.
I hope this poem has shed a bit of perspective,
To help to create positive change, be proactive and effective.