The #madeinmansfield positive poetry initiative, set up by local writer Alan Dawson, is aiming to showcase all that is positive about Mansfield and Ashfield through people’s own words.

This week it is featuring what Alan describes as the awe-inspiring poetry of Jacquie Clark.

“I love Jacquie’s work; for me it evokes a keen sense of place where town life is/ was experienced to the full,” he said.

“She talks of recklessness and spontaneity: attributes of the young and brave before responsibility and adulthood takes away the risk.

“Her writing also embraces the importance of community: the bond between young and old that creates resilience and trust.”

‘A true community…
It shaped me and many others.’
From Jacquie’s, The Estate

Alan added: “The experiences that Jacquie writes about mirror that of my own – I was brought up on Newlands Estate (Garibaldi) and the writing brought back great memories for me. These memories were formative and still serve me in the present…”

Mansfield

We were a destination
For drinking and dancing
Raves at Venue 44
The Indie Kids at Harvey’s
The Cool Kids at The Yard
Rockers at The Mason’s Arms
Everyone else at Valo’s
Unless you didn’t pass for 18
Then only the empty market stalls would welcome you
Grateful to be part of the thrill
The streets throbbed with music and anticipation
People snaked through the town 7 nights a week
A seemingly never-ending parade of people and pubs
Some long gone, though never forgotten
A first date or a first kiss
Dancing on the stage
The best girl’s night out ever!
A place to pull
Drinking and dancing
… and despicable behaviour?
Some
The fights, the drugs, the vomit
But no fear
Because we were not just a destination, but a community
Regulars, favourite faces, a sense of belonging
A pride in our offering
A pride in our town
We all have our memories of how it was before
Lose yourself in them, the good and the bad
We were once a destination; will we be once more?

The Circuit

The night was black, hazy, warm
Excitement crackled in the air
I saw you
I thought wow
I thought, why not
Let’s go
So I did
I jumped in
I was spontaneous
No, I was reckless
But I was young, and I was free.

The Estate

It wasn’t all bad, growing up on a Council Estate.
Everyone knows who you are, who you are related to.
Every word you have ever spoken
Everything you have ever done.

Shouting
Children squealing, bounding, and crashing
Noisy neighbours with loud TV’s
Cupboards banging, doors slamming.

Laughter
Children playing, fizzing and fun
Excitement, enjoyment, entertainment
A place bustling with life and filled with friendship and love.

Hardship
Benefits
Nothing shiny and new
Sometimes nothing at all

A willingness to share
A desire to protect, to save
Help from every corner
Thy neighbour is loved

No explanations needed
No airs and graces
No judgement, except of outsiders
No shame.

A true community
It shaped me and many others
We are strong and resilient
And we are proud.

Jacquie Clark

Alan Dawson was part of a Nottingham City Poetry initiative showcased on Facebook recently. This was facilitated by the Nottingham poet, Panya Banyoko.

https://www.facebook.com/CityArts/videos/230377955174049