Abondance Matanda: Freedom Cry Born As an alternative to in-person public programming, Languid Hands and R.I.P. Germain have invited public artist responses to Dead Yard, to continue engaging with the themes of personal and collective grief, and to ensure that the affective impact of the exhibition can be experienced remotely. Abondance Matanda's poem 'Freedom Cry Born', the first of these commissions, is inspired by, and written in response to the works in R.I.P. Germain's Dead Yard. FREEDOM CRY BORNhangin on by a chainreactin from a placeof suspended painprayin and libatin awaydis numbness datsnicked us ina noose all nowso da time shud come wheredem gruff hands must canget da hell out of our heresince dese roots woz always meant to rise dere way up tosay hello to da heavensbut we beenbeat & bun & bruk down n out beyond wot evenlook worthy of anuvva sparkinyet we stay wayfindin. still feel a way to grin teefand sing a sweetestlullaby for da sakeof our angel pickneywho still pick we to raise demday in n day out ah dis realmcah dey dun kno our darknessdon’t dim dere light in da slightest !a sunshine did dawn each and every moment a freedom cry born Bio: Abondance Matanda writes poetry in an authentic colloquial voice, as a commentary on and interrogation of contemporary inner-city life and culture. Her work is inspired by being raised and coming of age in London in the 21st century. She dissects aspects of her identity and lived experience, including girlhood, language and blackness, from a working class hood perspective. The public programme for Dead Yard is supported by Arts Council England. Manage Cookie Preferences