Lemn Sissay MBE the inspirational Manchester poet whose work is engraved upon the
flag stones and adorns the buildings of Manchester City Centre.
Tupac Shakur or Bob Marley?
They could be the same person reappearing in different generations.
You have a very unusual name, what is its meaning?
Lemn is actually said Lemon in the Ethiopic language Amharic and it means Why. At
eighteen years old when it was revealed to me through my birth certificate I decided to
use it. I thought the n was a spelling mistake and there was no one to tell me otherwise
so I called myself Lemn with the pronunciation lem – still do.
At the same time I was given a letter dated the year I was born. It was from my birth
mother. It said “I want his second name to be Giday not Sissay”. As my birth father was
not present her wish was not granted. Years later I found my birth mother and late father.
They were never together but for the night of my conception.
It is the tradition in Ethiopia that the first born child's second name is the father’s first
name. His name is Giday. It's been quite a mystery unraveled in a global search to find
and understand them.
What was the first poem you wrote and how old were you?
I have always written poems from before I could remember. But the first I remember
was written as an early teen that predicted how I would be as a late teen. It foresaw a
total change of perspective, of personality, that no one could have predicted. I didn't
believe in any way that it would come true, that the extrovert guy would become so
introspective and cautious in his late teens. But it happened.
An extrovert is just an introvert trying to prove they are not.
What was the first poem you ever read?
Aside from the psalms of the bible which my foster parents drilled into me and apart from
the beautiful songs from a brutal Baptist church I guess the first poem I remember having
a strong connection with is The Mystery Cat from Old Possum's book of Practical Cats
by TS Eliot.
What does it feel like to know so many people walk all over you daily (myself included)?
“Flags”
I am proud that my poems are tattooed on the skin of a great city: The greatest in the
United Kingdom. I am proud that they are on the walls, in the bus shelters, and on the
streets. But I want to do more. What saddens me about Flags in Tib St is that half, even
three quarters of it, is missing. But maybe there's something poetic about that.
As for walking all over me. Stuff happens.
Your poetry is so inspirational but who inspires you?
Jude Kelly the artistic director of Southbank Centre where I have been artist in residence
the past three years and where I am now Associate Artist. John McGrath the theatre
director of the National Theatre of Wales who was once artistic director of Contact
theatre. Dave Haslam the Manchester DJ inspires me. As for poets, I prefer dead ones:
Langston Hughes strikes the right notes. Muhammad Ali, the boxer was a poet. Pablo
Neruda, Thom Gunn the list is endless and changes each day. Inspiration is not a fixed
thing, it is as evident in a great song, like the songs of John Bramwell of I am Kloot.
Inspiration is constant. if you’re up for it and it is not exclusive to artists. It is available
and used in different ways by everyone.
So you have poet, playwright, radio broadcaster, TV documentary and an MBE under
your belt….is there a feature film on the cards and if there was who would you cast to
play yourself?
Got to be Will Smith hasn't it, with a mixed Lancashire/Mancunian accent.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Maintaining my career over twenty five years is an achievement of sorts. But my greatest
achievement is to have done this while uncovering the story.
Where are your favourite places to hang out in Manchester?
I have crawled out, fallen out or been thrown out of the best of them. Thankfully I don't
drink anymore and so I can enjoy mornings without getting night-sweats. So a nice brew
in the Cornerhouse cafe where all the cool cats are is good for me. Basically the rule of
thumb for a night out in Manchester is go anywhere John Bramwell is and anywhere
Dave Haslam is - it will be good. There will always be gorgeous women, cool guys and
good music, there'll be lots of alcohol and a good cafe near by and if you don't see the sun
coming up you weren't there.
What does the future hold for Lemn Sissay?
Right now I am writing a piece for a dance company which will tour and an adaptation
for The West Yorkshire Playhouse. I have a summer of writing and looking out at the
Thames from my office at Southbank getting misty eyed about Manchester. Then off to
South Africa for an Autumn run of my play at The market Theatre in Johannesburg. But
getting through today is enough already.
http://www.lemnsissay.com/
One of Lemn’s pieces is currently at The One Exhibition
http://themarpleleaf.blogspot.com/2010/07/oneobjective-exhibition-worth-dropping.html
Cherie Bebe
~xXx~