Summer, the moment the youth are liberated from the torrent of exams to earn a break. After the monotonous cycle of educational slavery for the whole year, students deserve their break. The summer holidays are akin to most liberation struggles like a countries independence struggle after suffering through years of colonial control. But instead students and youngsters have won the right to sleep for more then 12 hours in a day when the school year ends. Its freedom from the environment of rules, the dodgy toilets and even the smell. Yes, the smell of a college or a school, a mix between male teenage sweat, an excessive C-list celebrity’s cheap perfume (ala Jordan.) The strict basis to enforce rules in any college or school whether basic or harsh culminates in making the journey to this society of young learners a rather tiring outing everyday. That's why summer is cherished so much or even loved by some, as teenagers personify summer in their facebook status' into some sort of long lost best friend.

So as summer arrives and teens eventually get their prescribed 24 hour sleep-athon, what next? What exactly does this area offer to the youth in terms of activities not only to 'stay off the streets' but also to enjoy themselves? There is no doubt that there are activities on offer from football to Judo. But what about oral activities, things that inspire young people to gain self confidence. Poetry is something that would fill this devoid, regular workshops or poetry 'jam’s akin to 'Def Jam Poetry' set up. Open to anyone, young or old of any race, colour or creed to express themselves out loud. I wrote something myself below to describe the art which can goes from the traditional to the urban. From Rudyard Kipling, Rumi to modern poets like Benjamin Zephaniah:

A way to release pent up frustration, if the heart or the soul requires self emancipation. A tool that requires thought, which can never be imprisoned and is easy to find. As life sentences do not incorporate the freedom of the mind.

Poetry is the art form that has changed the world in both negative and positive ways. From Wilfred Owens's eye opening war poetry to modern day rap which in essence, derives from poetry. From the inspiring 'Def Jam Poetry' movement to the branding revolution which uses this tool to brainwash or 'influence' the public into consumerism. P.R is essentially poetry, as is propaganda: the CEO's of corporations hijacked an art form to fund the rise of the brand. But poetry and the power of words don't belong on billboards, they belong to the grassroots self expression which inspires the youth. Summer is approaching for some has started already. If I could encourage one positive step to Barnet Council it would be to set up a poetry workshop or ‘jam’ for the young. Not only to express frustrations and emotions but also to become a productive part of the community rather then being regular cannon fodder for the national media.