Poet Benjamin Zephanaia died aged 65.
Benjamin Zephaniah in 'Peaky Blinders' - Copyright BBC/ Robert Viglasky/ Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd 2017
Sadly, British writer and world-known poet left us, thus leaving a rich legacy of poems fighting againt homophobia, racism, animal abuse and colonialism. The son of Jamaïcan and Barbadian parents, he was born in the suburbs of Birmingham in 1958 and then moved to London when he was 20. Sometimes known as "pen rhythm poet", he left a legacy of joy and enthusiasm to the world.
Want to hear one of his most beautiful and topical poem? Enjoy!
"People need people,
To walk to
To talk to
To cry and rely on,
People will always need people.
To love and to miss
To hug and to kiss,
It’s useful to have other people.
To whom to moan
If you’re all alone,
It’s so hard to share
When no one is there.
There’s not much to do
When there’s no one but you.
People will always need people.
To please
To tease
To put you at ease,
People will always need people.
To make life appealing
And give life some meaning,
It’s useful to have other people.
It you need a change
To whom will you turn.
If you need a lesson
From whom will you learn.
If you need to play
You’ll know why I say
People will always need people.
As girlfriends
As boyfriends
From Bombay
To Ostend,
People will always need people-
To have friendly fights with
And share tasty bites with,
It’s useful to have other people.
People live in families
Gangs, posses and packs,
Its seems we need company
Before we relax,
So stop making enemies
And let’s face the facts,
People will always need people,
Yes
People will always need people."
