These Words

Let these words
Eternally bless you
As they undress
And caress you
Stroke you
And provoke you
Open you
And evoke in you
A desire
Wild as fire
A need irreplaceable
A passion aggressive and insatiable
A lust for loose lips
That drip
Words in multiples
So freely, so frequent and so hot
That you won’t want them to stop
Running
But keep coming… and coming… and coming
Let these words get in you
Touch every nerve and sinew
Let them send you hurled into
Worlds renewed
Serve you with a verse from the food of truth
Shelter and clothe you
Wash over you
Clean you, redeem you
Take you deep within parts of yourself you’ve never been to
Thought you might never find, never see or in your life time get to go to
In their embrace let them enfold you, hold you, mould you and control you
Let them forever remind your spirit, mind, body and soul from head to toe that I, Phoenix James
told you
To be reassured
And to make no mistake
That you can respect and take these words
Or you can reject and hate these words
But you will never ever be able to forget or forsake these words
Neglect or shake these words
Dissect or break these words are
Composed in phonetic code not verse
So such attempts would only serve to recreate these words
Even now as I speak, they seep deep into your subconscious changing from form to form
like the universe…
Is vast… are free…
Free as the unseen seed that freely grows
Free as the unseen energy that freely flows
Free as the very breath flowing from your nose
Free as the unseen force of spiritual law that controls
Let them steal you, let them heal you, let them elevate your soul
These words of sustenance penned for empty bowls
Let them fill you up, warm you up, give you goose bumps, curl your toes
Let them itch you, let them scratch you, annoy you, get all up in your clothes
Let them course right through your veins like our ancestors woes
Let them in, let them under your skin, into your flesh, into your bones
Let them get to you, let them infect you, let them kill you, resurrect and rebuild you
These words used to raise slaves from the dead and they still do
Let them will you, fulfil you, distil you, thrill you
Chill you in the blistering cold of their winter nights
Singe you in the hot heat of their blazing sunlight
‘Cause you see, I want you to feel these words
Digest these words…deep inside your chest conceal these words
Breathe these words as I speak these words
Be replete with these words so even in sleep
You can repeat these words
I believe every soul across the globe should know these words
So I go tell these words, go sell these words
Go through and repel hell with these words
And here now they dwell
Like the tenacious scent of natures purest herbs
Can you smell these words…
Can you?
Permeating like the sweet fragrance from Egyptian oils
Pressed from precious flowers cultivated on Egyptian soil
Just lingering
Dip your fingers in
And hold these words, never let go of these words
Always uphold these words
Never shun these words or run from these words
Instead, chase these words, come face these words
Come taste these words
Grafted from years of tears and pain
Crafted on behalf of the slain
And all those still here in this struggle to maintain
And as many walk these cold streets begging for change
When will enough people see that they’re not really begging for change
They are begging for change
And who knows, they may too claim me insane ‘cause I’m here right now doing the same
So come take these words
Before it’s too late for words
Assimilate these words, appreciate these words
Articulate these words, perpetuate these words
And if the day should come
When men aim to tame these words, shame these words
Change, rearrange, restrain or set up against these words
My friend, until the end…
Defend these words
And when my physical can no longer contain, comprehend, explain or ascend these words…
Remember these words
These lyrics
Etched into the very depths of your spirit
Forever living, left where you’ll never forget they exist
Where you can never resist their rhythm
Hauntingly beautiful
They will be heard
Until then, I’ll keep giving
And giving and giving and giving
And giving and giving
These words.

Published by

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. View all posts by THE POET PHOENIX JAMES