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Our poet's inspiration from the streets of LA
IT was perhaps one of the more surreal experiences of John Siddique's life.
In a rundown west Los Angeles building, the Hebden Bridge poet observed as ex-members from some of the city's most notorious gangs promised not to seek retribution for the slaying of one of their closest friends.
Instead, they vowed to improve their poetry in the victim's memory.
Mr Siddique, who has just completed a stint as LA's poet-in-resident, said: "It was just an incredible eye opener.
"If anyone asks me what the point of poetry or art is, I can say it has the ability to change lives, to save lives.
"These guys were devastated one of their friends had been shot three days earlier but they'd decided to take another path, and they sought solace through words." The visit to Homeboy Industries – a street project to give former gang members life skills and keep them out of jail – was just one of several visits during Mr Siddique's month-long residency.
The former gardener, of Brunswick Street, also begun a programme of translating Mexican poetry into English, launched his own book Recital and took several classes at California State Univer-sity – all while using his time in Venice Beach as inspiration for his own writing.
And he will now work with young film-makers he met while he was in Hollywood, to produce a series of 13 shorts. they will each be based on his poems. The result will be sent to film festivals when it is complete.
The 44-year-old said: "It was an incredible honour to be the city's poet. I hope I've given something to LA. I know it's given me plenty."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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