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Benjamin Zephaniah Poetry Collection

‘a shining light … showing us all the power of words to delight, enthral and challenge’ – Joseph Coelho

Musical, plain-spoken, playful and powerful, Benjamin Zephaniah’s poetry has been lighting up British cultural life since the early 1980s. Written to be performed, his funny, serious poems sing with a rare energy, with subjects ranging from racism, pollution and revolution to the lottery, vegetables and his cat, Danny.

This new collection brings together Zephaniah’s three Puffin Poetry books, from his first volume of children’s poetry, Talking Turkeys, to Funky Chickens and Wicked World with a previously unpublished poem and a new foreword by the poet and spoken-word artist George the Poet.

Full of wisdom and laughter, Benjamin Zephaniah’s poetry is a tonic for our times – a celebration of people, culture and love that will entice readers young and old, whether they’re well versed in poetry or new to the form.

About Benjamin Zephaniah

Benjamin Zephaniah was born in Birmingham and then spent some of his early years in Jamaica. He came to London when he was 22 and his first book of poetry for adults was published soon after. He appears regularly on radio and TV including a Desert Island Discs appearance, literary festivals, and has also taken part in plays and films. He is most well-known for his performance poetry with a political edge for both children and adults and gritty teenage fiction. His collections Talking Turkey, Wicked World and Funky Chickens broke new ground in children's poetry. He is the only Rastafarian poet to be short-listed for the Chairs of Poetry for both Oxford and Cambridge University and has been listed in The Times' list of 50 greatest postwar writers. Benjamin died on December 7 2023 at the age of 65.
Details
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • ISBN: 9780241789704
  • Length: 304 pages
  • Price: £9.99