14.01.26
Over the second half of 2025, you might have seen several beautiful poetic reflections on local initiatives that nourish creativity in Dundee sprinkled across our social media. Now we’re gathering together these commissioned part-observation, part-erasure poems by writer Tom Bird and sharing them again.
Through the lens of Tom’s own journey of belonging and his transition from outside observer to creative participant, he shares a picture of local community imbued with art, connection and inclusivity. They bring us along to Fun a Day Dundee, Dawson Park Community Garden (home to SAMH’s Chrysalis Project) and ScrapAntics’ ScrapStore, ending with a moment of pause by the River Tay to contemplate the realities of engaging with new communities – even open, friendly, creative ones – when managing disability and all its unpredictability.
Each poem acts as a gentle reminder that, despite the bustle and ambition that often accompanies the start of a year, sometimes (in the words of Tom) “allowing for the space and time to just exist and watch, and then respond in your own time, is an undervalued act”.
Tom Bird (he/they) is a Dundee-based spoken word poet, writer and artist. He values authentic self-expression as a means of communication, getting serious and silly in equal measure. In their spoken word poetry they delve into neurodivergence and transgender identity, as well as living with mental illness and being a big daydreamer.
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