No Retreat, No Surrender by Phoenix James

No Retreat, No Surrender

Why just recite poetry
When I can turn words to sodium nitrate
Ignite each verse, watch it explode and feel my soul vibrate
Shaking demons off
Propelling me closer to my dreams and goals and the achievement of
It’s expensive keeping the flame alight though
You wouldn’t believe the cost
Sacrifice
Sometimes you have to die to be alive so I don’t grieve the loss
And as long as I can still taste the sulphur on my lips
I know I can burn every vulture off that cliff
And what can you tell me
Nothing
Until you know what it is to be down in that valley
Surrounded
Praying that the fables aren’t true
But praying to who
They say god left this place long before you were born
So that leaves them and you
In a dusty torn robe
Grazed elbows and dirty finger nails from scratching at the stones
Trying to escape
To some other place
Doesn’t matter
Just somewhere else
We create our world and try to escape from our self
Tripping over at every attempt
As though our feet were tied
Falling to our knees
Crying to the skies
Begging for time to slow down
So we can catch a piece of the sun
Before it disappears behind the horizon
And now that your time has come
Have no regrets
Except that you couldn’t tell somebody sooner
That when the solar rays that radiate their day fade away
That they could use the moonlight to illuminate their night just as bright
That no condition is permanent
And that it’s okay to cry
That even the wise are still learning
And that in every wrong there’s a right
I don’t care if you have to lay booby traps and tripwire through the forest
Plant letter bombs in their mailboxes
Wire live grenades to their doorframes
Detonate dynamite under their cars
Desecrate their places of worship
Set fire to their gods
Use violence
Use politics, use sex, use science
Peacekeep with guns
Drop bombs and demand silence
Get them
Demand their attention
And when they’re listening
Tell them
The only thing consistent..
Is change
And therefore..
Things are only permanent..
Temporarily.

© Phoenix James. All rights reserved.

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THE POET PHOENIX JAMES

THE POET PHOENIX JAMES is a British-born, award-winning poet, author, spoken word recording artist, and multidisciplinary creator whose dynamic career spans literature, performance, film, fashion, music, and independent media. Widely recognised for fearless expression and genre-defying artistry, Phoenix James has built a powerful creative legacy that bridges page, stage, studio, screen, and digital platforms. He is a pioneer of live spoken word performance in the UK before the era of camera phones, and is known as a foundational figure in the UK and global spoken word movements. He is often mentioned alongside pioneering spoken word artists like Linton Kwesi Johnson, Benjamin Zephaniah, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, Patience Agbabi, Lemn Sissay and Salena Godden for his foundational contributions to the UK’s live poetry and spoken word scene. MONIKER AND EARLY CAREER Early in his career in 1998, Phoenix James performed and released work under the moniker Phenzwaan, a name associated with several of his earliest spoken word albums and recordings. This period marked the foundation of his evolving artistic voice and experimentation within the spoken word and poetry scene. WRITER & POET Phoenix James is the author of 20 published books, exploring love, identity, vulnerability, power, masculinity, and spiritual and philosophical inquiry. His first limited edition printed poetry collection, To Whom It May Concern, was published in 2003. His work spans poetry, prose, philosophy, essays, and creative storytelling. His available book titles include, in order of publication: Love, Sex, Romance & Other Bad Things Route to Destruction Delirium of the Wise Don’t Let the Daffodils Fool You Call Me When You’re Free Far from the Outside The Ones We Didn't Kill Lessons from Everywhere Another One for Burning A Long Bright Cold Dark Summer Shame Point Zero The Sandbag Theory Soft, Sexy & Wet Below Base Level To Catch A Passing UFO Now We're Truly Beautiful We All Should Be Amazed Before When It's Time Amidst Time That Waits Time As Always Was SPOKEN WORD RECORDING ARTIST Phoenix James has released 18 spoken word albums, crafting sonic experiences that blend poetry, music, ambient textures, and emotion-driven performance. His current albums include, in order of release: Phenzwaan Now & Forever: The Definitive Collection A Patchwork Remedy for A Broken Melody FREE Haven for the Tormented With All That Said Remixes Vol: 1 Remixes Vol: 2 Light Beams from the Void The Love So Far Early CD Album Releases: Phoenix James released a number of CD albums between 2000 and 2006 under his early moniker Phenzwaan. These include, in order of their release: The A.R.T.I.S.T. (debut album) Meditations of A Cosmic Wordsmith We Will Survive Phenzwaan Live @ The Spitz Inevitable Mystique Like A Phoenix Alchemy Fluid Vol: 1 Alchemy Fluid Vol: 2 Solidified These early works represent his foundational spoken word and musical expressions prior to the digital era, showcasing his pioneering contributions and artistic evolution. With over 1,000 videos on his YouTube channel and more than 70 spoken word singles available on streaming platforms including YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, Phoenix James' work continues to influence global audiences through digital distribution. FILM & TELEVISION Phoenix James made his first BBC television appearance performing poetry in 2004, marking an important step in bringing spoken word poetry to broader audiences through mainstream media. Since then, he has appeared in and worked on several high-profile international film and television productions, including: Skyfall (James Bond) Star Wars: The Force Awakens Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Impossible Cleanskin Multiple BBC dramas and documentaries He has also written, directed, and produced independent films, such as the acclaimed mock-documentary Love Freely but Pay for Sex, which further solidifies his legacy in independent media. FASHION & MODELLING Awarded Best Male Model by Fashion TV in 2007, Phoenix James has worked in editorial, runway, and brand campaigns that blend storytelling with style and presence. COMMUNITY, COMMENTARY & LEGACY Phoenix James has produced live events, hosted spoken word showcases, and delivered workshops empowering creative voices. Beyond creation, Phoenix James nurtures emerging voices and preserves his artistic legacy for future generations. As a cultural commentator and philosopher, his work interrogates themes of intimacy, race, masculinity, freedom, and creative autonomy. ACADEMIC & EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCE Phoenix James’ work is used in academic institutions and educational establishments around the world for teaching, research, and cultural study. His writng, philosophy, poetry, recordings and performances are referenced in courses on modern literature, race and identity, spoken word history, and performance art. His contributions continue to be studied for their originality, social commentary, and cultural significance. LASTING IMPACT Phoenix James continues to champion self-publishing, ensuring full creative ownership and artistic freedom. His ongoing project, The Complete Works, is dedicated to archiving and preserving his vast creative output for future generations. His legacy is built not only on the impact of his words and work but on the pioneering spirit that made space for others to follow. Phoenix James is an unstoppable ecosystem of fearless creative expression, a living, breathing force, documenting the beauty, relentless struggle, and uncompromising raw humanity of a life unfiltered. Phoenix James lives in London, England and enjoys movies, music, plays, good food, long walks, and travelling. Sign up to his website Newsletter Mailing List to stay up to date with Phoenix James news and new releases.