The poem recalls memories of a time when wildlife lived freely in the area. Sheep, deer, foxes and rabbits would roam without fear. However, humans did not live in harmony with nature and that had detrimental effects. The speaker takes no blame for what happened and was just an innocent child with vegan roots who loved the wild animals and land. They witnessed people training dogs violently and saw animal furs being worn by humans. Wildlife disappeared, which filled the speaker with sadness. They shouted from high places for people not to commit these crimes against nature, but no one listened or had time. Memories of the kangaroos and big trees cannot leave like people do, and the speaker needs these memories.

1. Memories by Benjamin
Zephaniah
Thursday 11th June

2. Read the poem Memories by Benjamin Zephaniah
I recall a time
Not long ago
When sheep would roam around here,
If you were nice and friendly
You could get close to a deer,
Foxes, rabbits
Wild and free
We had so much potential,
But we did not live in harmony
And that was detrimental.
As you read the poem,
make a note of any
words or phrases that
you think are
particularly emotive.

3. I take no blame
I did not do it
I was an innocent child,
My roots are very vegan
I like my animals wild
I take no blame
I did not do it

4. I wrote to all the rulers,
I took a stand,
I loved the land,
How I loved the land,
How I loved the Animal Kingdom

5. I saw people training dogs
To make the doggies violent
Rulers of the land made dog owners buy a licence,
I saw furs of animals
Upon human backs
Being used as mats,
It happened here, I saw it
I called it Human Madness
I saw friends disappear
Imagine all my sadness

6. I shouted from all high places
Let us not do this crime,
Nobody listened to me
Nobody had time
Memories don’t leave like people do,
I miss the kangaroo
I recall great big trees
I need these memories.

7. Activity
• Go back to the English tab for today’s activity.