“Stephen Lawrence”, by Carol Ann Duffy

I have been a fan of Carol Ann Duffy's poetry for years. I presented a paper on her love poetry at a theological conference and said she should be the next Poet Laureate. That she was honoured with the appointment is no surprise to those who appreciate the humane and perceptive way she deals with human weakness, longing, hurt, anger, tears, love, desire and so much else that we include in our never adequate descriptions of what it means, and more importantly what it feels like, to be a human being.

I missed her poem on the outcome of the Stephen Lawrence trial. Talking over a meal with a friend last night he mentioned it and sent me the link. It needs no comment other than it demonstrates why she is Poet Laureate, the poet who captures the significant moments in our shared life.

"Stephen Lawrence", by Carol Ann Duffy

Cold pavement indeed
the night you died,
murdered;
but the airborne drop of blood
from your wound
was a seed
your mother sowed
into hard ground –
your life's length doubled,
unlived, stilled,
till one flower, thorned,
bloomed
in her hand,
love's just blade.