One such poem that struck me in this manner is ‘Sonny’s Lettah’. Written from the point of view of a black man who finds himself incarcerated after killing a policeman in defence of his friend – a target of the police for wrongful vagrancy. You can actually listen to Johnson reading it online. The sections of the poem that seem most driven by a very obvious rhythm are the ones detailing the brutality of the police, and the men defending themselves.

One finds a similar thing in play in ‘New Crass Massakah’. Initially it starts off as being rhythmic because there is a party, which later on escalates into an act of unexpected atrocity:

'New Crass Massakah'

(to the memory of the fourteen dead)

first di comin
an di goin
in an out af di pawty

di dubbin
an di rubbin
and di rackin to di riddim

di dancin
an di scankin
an di pawty really swingin

den di crash
an di bang
an di flames staat fi trang

di heat
an di smoke
an di people staat fi choke

di screamin
and di cryin
and di diein in di fyah…

(LKJ, MRF, 52)

What starts off as a celebration of a 16-year-old (black) girl’s party in Deptford, London becomes a racially motivated arson attack to be played down by the media and subsequent criminal investigation. These are just a couple of examples that demonstrate what makes Johnson’s work so historically and culturally significant – it records the experience of Jamaican-born British immigrants, speaking for them when others would silence them. It is hardly surprising therefore that he is the second living poet (as well as the first black poet) to be included in Penguin Books’ Modern Classics imprint in the UK.

To coincide with the debut publication of Mi Revalueshanary Fren in the US, LKJ, as he is known to his fans, will be having a reading tour in selected cities throughout the States and anyone who is interested in this revolutionary man’s work is strongly encouraged to attend.

For those of us not quite so fortunate, Mi Revalueshanary Fren comes with a companion compact disc of Johnson reciting his poetry unaccompanied – this is essential if one truly wants to understand his body of work. Russell Banks’ introduction in the book is extremely well-written and informative, giving background on the poet and his work.

As mentioned in the beginning, the language isn’t always easy but the recording definitely helps, and enhances the reader’s experience and comprehension. Chaucer could tell a decent tale or two, but for now I’m inspired to discover more of LKJ’s work.