‘‘ Eileen Gbagbo


My name is Eileen Gbagbo. I am a spoken word poet based in London. I am originally from Ghana and started writing poetry back in 2015 after being introduced to poems by Pablo Neruda at school. I loved the way he used poetry to inspire and give people hope during the Pinochet regime. I then wrote a poem in response to that and entered it into the Slambassadors competition that was run by Joelle Taylor. I was Highly Commended and went on a writing retreat with her and Anthony Anaxagorou. That was really the start of calling myself a poet and believing that I could make a career out of writing.


Working with Joseph was an amazing experience as I had previously not written for children before. He was a great teacher and really broke down different writing inspirations we could use and made me feel comfortable to write and perform children’s poetry. I feel incredibly grateful to be part of the anthology and to also play a small part in Joseph’s quest to diversify children’s literature as I believe it is so important for children to feel represented in what


Eileen Gbagbo.


My eyes were opened to different forms of poetry that I’d never come across before and it was nice to step out of my comfort zone. It feels surreal to be part of the book... – Anneliese Amoah


Shagufta K. Iqbal.


they read and to discover the joys and power of stories.


There are worlds that hide in your hair, Countries full of sunlight all year long, Mockingbirds perched on palm trees, Swaying with each flick of the fishtail, You can create paradise on your head,


More powerful and beautiful than a sunset.


These are my favourite lines from a poem I have in the anthology called What hides in your hair. I love this stanza in particular because it feels like a call to action for little black girls who like me always felt like my frizzy hair stood out at school and didn’t really like that. So I hope this poems helps more people feel more comfortable about their hair and any perceived differences they might have.


Shagufta K. Iqbal


I cannot pinpoint a specific time, I have always read, and enjoyed writing stories – but my first step in taking my writing seriously happened, when I joined a group led by local writer Bertel Martin at the Kuumba Project in Bristol. This shaped my writing journey and solidified my aspirations in becoming a writer. This journey has had it’s ups and downs, the Arts can be a very difficult space in which to work.


Spring-Summer 2024


Apples and Snakes have given me so much support over the years, and I have grown as an artist through many of their programmes. This particular one, was a leap of faith for them, by giving me an opportunity to pursue my interest in writing for young people. Joseph, was an incredibly generous mentor, the space he facilitated for developing our writing was thoughtful and supportive. It means so much be in this collection with so many talented writers. I cannot wait to hold the book in my hands.


There were cats in the mosque... and one had found its way to my lap.


All ginger and fluffy, all friendly and soft, all warm and huggy.


All my prayers answered with one single small meow, in a domed blue mosque.


Mosques are often viewed or dealt with as contentious spaces, I really want to explore what the mosque space means to me. How young people can find faith, community and celebration in these spaces. There Are Cats in the Mosque, highlights that mosques are welcome to all, they are spaces of sanctuary. My dream is that people feel this when they enter mosques, and that as a community we ensure that we create spaces that are welcoming and kind.


PEN&INC. 9


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