I am, I can, I need | Poetry Series Rotherham

Older adults who took part in participatory arts-based workshops at ROAR from September to December 2024, came together to share their stories of ageing in Rotherham through different forms of art.

Facilitated by Lora Krasteva, the talented artists produced materials that are shared in the project exhibition. The workshop sessions fostered a safe, inclusive space for creativity, community, and self-expression.

Here we share a selection of poems written and spoken by the participants. This particular poem was created through the prompt of ‘I am, I can, I need’, intended to foster discussions around identity, abilities and needs. 

Life, give me one more torment whilst I still have a breath to fight
The eyes can still shed a tear to drown the sorrows of the day.
I long for a night of rest and resplendent sleep, yet tossed and turned quietly, misery was the blanket.
‘Wake up’ said the morning, but who was asleep anyway?
No glorious sunshine today, no bright blooms on shore, no trickling fountain, no company on adreary day,
Yet I’m here alone, yet memories are leaping.
Yet the new dawn is greeting, yet sipping hot tea is pleasing.
Tears are flowing, yes, missing your early morning chatter.
Yes, kissing your old sweater.
Yes, the heart’s torn and battered.
Go, darling child!
Go find a peaceful corner, go to a new abode, go make new memories again.

I am…
To my friends (name removed) Assalamu Alaikum (peace be upon you).
I want you to know I am sat in my class, writing this story.
Is there a purpose for me, is there a purpose for my mind?
We are those who come from Azad Kashmir.

I am an awareness.
An awareness that is usually identified as Maurice Bartley.
I am someone who identifies as a man, who was once born in Femoy Ireland, but who now lives in Rotherham.
I am an awareness who has lived for 81 years in pretty good physical health, but who has also experienced some times of real confusion that has been identified as a mental health problem.
I am at this time present here at ROAR with a group of people from different cultures and faith groups, and together we are engaged in a research project led by a group of people from Sheffield University.

I need the air that I breathe, and I need to love.
I need space within which to live. I need food to sustain my physical body and I need friends to relate to.
I need support from countless others who live around me and I need to offer what support I can to others in the wider community. 

I can enjoy life.
Or, I can allow people and events to get in the way of this enjoyment.
I can think think.
Breathe.
And I can talk to facilitate my interactions with those around me. 
I can remain focused on what is.
Or allow myself to get distracted by thoughts and events that either happened in the past or that may happen sometime in the future.

I am green, grey, red and blue
I am here, there, now and then. 
I am silly, soulful, sad and sanguine.

I need light, laughter and trains to run on time.
I need kindness, calm, company and forgiveness.
I need to be seen.

I can be kind.
I can give.
I can give up…and that’s ok too
I can help myself and ask for help.

Assalmu Alaikum (Peace be Unto You).
My name is Zahira Khan.
I am a sportsperson, I am honest, I am responsible, I am hospitable.
I can sew, I can play badminton, I can teach the Quran.
I need my own house, I need my rights, I need to learn new things.
Allah Hafiz (May God protect you)