Ancestors Song by Phoenix James

Ancestor’s Song

The ancestors sing a song from within the ink that flows from my pen
They sing and they sing
And closer and closer
I push it to them
Penning out their aggravations
And their pent-up frustration
They sing I must take my station
And trust their administration
I am prescribed as the required medication
And I must be willing to accept my delegation
As the powerful penicillin devised to combat the pathogens infecting this nation
That I must give praise and appreciation
That I am not the worst
Neither the last nor first
But the penultimate
Sent to quench man’s insipid verse
So that today’s awakening slaves may not thirst
But open their eyes to realize the plight of their curse
And that there’s no price on earth to match their worth
They need to rise from the dirt
And recognise that we worked
So hard
So you all could be here today
They say, we are an ungrateful disgrace
We forsake the sacrifice they made for our life
We’re displaced
And suffer from a serious case
Of conceptual incarceration
They say they won’t let me rest
Until I express their indignation in my conversation
Anytime I bless the mic
Or take the stage at these occasions
So I bear no resistance
To their pentatonic scales
That continually haunt my existence
And never fail to bring me back to the land of the living
When I am slipping
Singing…Do not give in…Do not give in
That I am born as one of their shining stars of hope
That amidst the thorns
I will be the rose that never chokes
But continually grows
As long as I never relinquish my position
Within this mission for which I’m chose
And remember that my grandmother said…
“No fret, the holes in her dress could never compare to the holes branded into our ancestors
flesh”
Though now we compare that to the holes blown into another brother’s chest
For less than you’d expect from a race established in honour and respect
Nevertheless
Never forget the quest we have set
For it is already said
There will be victims of their victims
And victims of their test
And there will only be reconciliation
When we
Can finally
Rest.

© 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.