A group of writers in the UK are inviting contributions to an anthology of poetry “in solidarity with the refugees who are currently receiving so little welcome as they take to boats and rafts to cross the Mediterranean, make their way with difficulty through Europe and, in a small number of cases, arrive in Calais with the hope of reaching the UK”. The initiative comes as some poets move to express the anguish felt at shocking and distressing media images, including the death of three-year-old Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi, drowned with his five-year-old brother Ghalib and mother Rehan, as his family tried to reach the Greek island of Kos.  Laura Taylor has posted a moving and poignant poem, ‘For Aylan’, on Write Out Loud. There are other poems, too on the Write Out Loud poetry blogs,including 'Open The Borders', by Jeff Dawson, and 'Political Will', by Rose Condo.  

Poets in Solidarity with Refugees, which is based in the East Midlands, are using Crowdfunder to help raise money for their project. Proceeds from sales will go to registered charities supporting refugees both in the East Midlands and abroad.

They say: “The aim of the anthology is to enable readers to take a view of the situation which is not governed by the fear and hatred whipped up by the language of media and many politicians. The anthology will be produced by an editorial committee, typesetter and publisher who will work free of charge. The anthology will be published by Five Leaves Publications in Nottingham, and will be available both in print and as an ebook.” You can find more details here 

Laura Taylor’s poem includes these lines:  

             babies shouldn’t die in plastic dinghies in the night

     while their parents flee the trouble that we caused

     and the people selling arms to the Middle Eastern maniacs

     should not be leading countries

     telling lies

     making wars