Fifteen-year-old Xander Shirtliff was named as the second Youth Bard of the Isle of Man in January this year and, like many others, his year was interrupted by the restrictions surrounding Covid-19.

Here he shares a poem and tells us what inspired him to write it.

Before Covid-19 my original plan had been to go into schools this summer, maybe even with the current Manx bard, to hopefully enthuse the children about poetry.

Unfortunately, I was prevented by to the virus.

I also missed out on going to quite a few events like the Isle of Man Wind Orchestra concert where I was going to perform a poem.

So instead I just wrote a poem for them, called the Isle of Wallaby, which you can find it on the Manx Bard Facebook page.

I also wrote The Colby Glen (also on the Manx bard Facebook page) which was written for the (cancelled) Arbory Civic Service and is about, yes, you guessed it, the Colby Glen.

I was also meant to visit the Mayor’s Parlour in the spring but although it was initially cancelled, we managed to re-arrange it and I went a couple of weeks ago.

I wrote Shout!, the poem featured here because, like many other people, I was shocked by the death of George Floyd.

As a white person growing up in the Isle of Man I have never been subjected to prejudice because of my skin colour, and was appalled that something like this could go as far as death.

I hope this poem helps explain some of my thoughts and opinions of the time and maybe changes some people’s views for the better.

To watch me reading my poem next to the Slave’s Grave in Kirk Braddan, please go to the Manx Bard Facebook page.

Shout

Beaten, bloodied and bruised.

For hundreds of years subjected

To hate, fear and punishment.

We say we live in ‘equality’

But many are treated as the inferior race,

Not seen as people,

Human rights stripped away,

All because of the colour of skin.

May 25th 2020 the tipping point came.

From the death of one man

Came echoes of the past,

Of the many killed due to racism.

Boiled anger came spewing up.

Anger over the corruption of society

And the degradation of life.

So we shouted.

Do you hear?

Or do you still fear?

Fear vengeance?

Fear anger?

Is that why some fight,

Fight against freedom?

Do you still deny the truth

That black lives matter?

So here we are now

Where violence is now the word

Ascribed to so many protests.

Across the globe

Justice of the law

Is often injustice of the law,

As many who are now our protectors

Are now persecutors and prosecutors.

So those who hear and care,

Shout!

Maybe it will make a difference,

For all we can do is SHOUT.

by Xander Shirtliff

www.manxbard.im