The Forum's mentoring project

The Forum's mentoring project

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Original Songs by Blog Team Members


Listen to these pieces of musical art composed by Ali, Louie and Mahmood in Bobby Whiskers’ music workshop! 


MRCF organised and sponsored the workshop, which took place during 5 2-hour sessions from mid-February to mid-March, followed by a one-day recording session in April.

Sharing a little about the process involved in writing their lyrics and recording their songs, Ali and Louie said that Bobby began the workshop by bringing in samples of rap music and leading a discussion about what informed the writing, rhyme, rhythm and figures of speech - such as alliteration, repetition, similes and metaphors.

Tuesday, 5 July 2011

Interview with Someone Who Is Far Away from Home

Mahmood helps us get to know Aissata a little bit better...
Q: Where and when you were born?
A: I was born in Guinea in 1975.
Q: Where was your first school?
A: My first school was in France.
Q: Are you studying now?
A: I am not currently studying.
Q: When you started writing poetry? What initiated you into writing?
A: I started writing poems after high-school. That's when my boy-friend at the time travelled to England. I was sad, so I decided to fill his absence with written words.
Q: Tell us about your poem "The Wrestlers"?
A: "The Wrestlers" is about pride and shame: sometimes, not knowing when to display pride can lead to embarassment. It's about two men, not really bright, fighting over something very foolish.
Q: Tell us about your poem "The tears of my mother"?
A: "The Tears of My Mother" is about immigration, the need for young people to leave their families and their country for a better life in Europe, and the dangers they face when traveling from one continent to another. It's about a mother waiting to receive news from her son who left years ago for an unknown place. The truth could be that he died during his journey, trying to reach Europe. I am just exploring the pain it can be for a mother to wait years and years for a son that will never come back.
Q: Who is your favourite poet?
A: My favourite poet is Guy Tirolien, a French caribbean.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: All of my plans are on hold at the moment. I only have dreams that cannot be shared at this particular time.
Q: When you first knew about English Pen?
A: I first knew about English Pen during the creative writing workshop at MRCF. From what I can see, they (English Pen, MRCF as well) do a great job in helping people from different background to be more proficient in English.
Q: What does "Life" mean to you?
A: Life means experience, love, friendship, good things and also bad things; learning from mistakes, learning from others.

Friday, 17 June 2011

Alone--Mahmood, 10/6/2011



The man gazed at the changing hues of sunset.
The darkness was full of ghosts.
Alone, tormented by his moveless woe,
What hope had he, in the shadows of despair?
Farewell the land of Babylon-
You may not see him again.
Farewell the rivers of Babylon-
He may not see you again.
Grief in silence, in everlasting pain.
Blurred are the faces and the voices are low.
People are gathered in a crowd
Unaware of each other’s trouble or joy,
A multitude of separate hollow poles.
He recalled the family gathering around
The fire on a cold winter night.
The warmth of affection gave them joy.
Those warm winter nights are gone now.
Lastly, he walked to his bed and lay down.