The power of protest poetry

The theme for this year’s SMP poetry competiton is ‘the spirit of rebellion’. The judge, Simon Zec, shares some of his thoughts about protest poetry.

What is the point of poetry, if it is not to change the world?
What is the point of the poet, if they are not to show us the truth?

And what more truthful poetry than protest poetry?
It has the power to mobilise masses or just change people's views.

A protest poem can come in any form, but essentially it has to reflect on the world we face now. 

Whether it's Brian Bilston's brilliant Refugees poem, literally turning your perception upside down, or the brutal horror of Pastor Niemöller's First They Came, these poems have the power to live long in people's memories.

I regularly write protest poems. It helps me process the politics of today. Being a third generation migrant, the rise of the anti-migration narrative cuts me to the core and puts fire in the belly of my poems.

Whatever platform I have, online or at live poetry events, protest poems can resonate with my audience. Often poetry can be preaching to the converted and often protest poetry resonates solely with those on the same side as you, but a protest poem can break down the barricades and reach people form all walks of life.

I'm not sure they can actually change the world, but they can shift the narrative, can cut through, can help people process the world and see the injustices.

Shelley's protest poetry became integral to the culture of the labour movement and he writes about the poet’s social role and responsibility. For those of us who are protest poets, we follow in a great tradition, whether we like it or not!

It is an honour to be asked to judge this year’s Shelley Memorial Prize Poetry Competition and the theme of 'the spirit of rebellion' gives entrants a chance to harness their inner protest poet and follow in the great tradition of Shelley.

I really look forward to judging the poems and can't wait to be inspired!