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Talented Harris Academy Peckham poets were invited to perform alongside Benjamin Zephaniah at a ceremony to mark the unveiling of a Blue Plaque on the Chelsea house Bob Marley shared with his band the Wailers.

Visiting the house at 42 Oakley Street, our Peckham Poets performed original pieces inspired by Marley’s lyrics and beliefs. A spokesperson for English Heritage team said our students were “fabulous…such confident and inspiring young women”, which filled our students with pride.

Amira, Year 10, is pictured above with Benjamin Zephaniah, and you can read Amira's poem below. Below is a picture of Fabiola, Year 10, performing her poem at the ceremony.

Ms Alexander, English Teacher

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One of the poems written by our fabulous Peckham Poets, to honour Bob Marley.

 

Buffalo Soldier

By Amira, Year 9

 

I am the third little bird of the south

Sitting on the world’s doorstep

Humming sweet melodies of freedom

Awaiting my time to be free

 

I am the Buffalo Soldier

Fighting for survival

Humming sweet harmonies of my history

Awaiting my time to be free

 

I live in the concrete jungle

Where the moon doesn’t come out to play

There are no chains around my feet,

but I know, somehow, I’m not free

I live in the concrete jungle, awaiting to be free

 

We are the little birds

We are the Buffalo Soldiers

Sitting on the world’s doorstep

Humming sweet counter melodies to the concrete jungle

Awaiting our time to be free.