Posted
September 26th, 2012
by
On 13 September, English PEN launched ‘Poems for Pussy Riot‘ in support of three members of the Russian punk band - Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich – who are currently serving a two year prison sentence.
In the weeks leading up to their appeal hearing on 1 October, we are posting daily tributes to the band, in the form of some extraordinary poems and images. An ebook collection of the poems, ‘Catechism: Poems for Pussy Riot’, edited by Mark Burnhope, Sarah Crewe and Sophie Mayer, will be published on 1 October to coincide with the appeal hearing. Several contributors to the project will also be reading their work as part of a peaceful protest outside the Russian Embassy in London, 11- 1pm – one of many protests due to take place across the globe.
The following contribution comes from poet and performer Sophie Robinson.
free pussy
I’ve got the vagina your mother told you about
& it’s coming for you so watch out –
couplet vagina, hairy scruff, parkland
butchery waiting for your tender hand
descending. Happy vaginas on TV
open and close like poetry.
Sad vaginas on the streets stripped
of their rights, tight-lipped
& talkless in alleys always
Awake & waiting, outer hallways
of a world full of those who know
it could be better & isn’t. Sad disco
where we can dance off our hurts
free pussy / lock hips / solidarity / stay alert.
Other Poems for Pussy Riot posts
Abridged and Complete Biography of Olympe de Gouge: Claire Trévien
Women of the Year: Betty Doyle
Weapons of Minor Destruction: Sandra Alland
Our Glorious Leader Putin: Jack Underwood
Avoid using the word “pussy”: Charlotte Geater
Poem with Four Vaginal Walls: Mark Burnhope
Sheela na gig (deconstructed): Sarah Crewe
Dance of the Seven Veils: Alison Croggon
Vox Populi (A poem for voices): Steve Heighton
The Eye of the Needle: Aoife Mannix
We Jew women: Translated by Marek Kazmierski
Some Protest Stones: Sarah Hesketh
Please welcome to the stage: Alex MacDonald
