A poem from James Brown’s forthcoming collection Slim Volume.

Leadership Material

A lot of people helped make me
who I am today.

I’ve sat in many rooms listening,
sometimes through choice, sometimes

until I’ve forgotten the creak
of my own voice.

But what could I have said?
That the world is full of learning opportunities?

That behind ideologies are often plain old bullies?
That silence is walking away?

Would you like to say something?
You look like you have something to say.

Taken from Slim Volume, which will be published by Te Herenga Waka University Press on 11 July 2024.

The Friday Poem is edited by Chris Tse. Submissions are currently closed.