Raman Mundair

Raman Mundair was born in Ludhiana, India, she grew up in Manchester and Leicestershire. A visual artist and writer of prose, poetry, plays, and writing for the screen, recent work includes ‘Lovers, Liars, Conjurers and Thieves’, (Peepal Tree Press, 2003) and installation pieces that present text and narrative in a visual form; ‘Let me hold you’ (part of ‘Fragments of Identity’ www.cuttlefish.com/fragments) and ‘Txt Me’ (exhibited as part of ‘Fold’ at the Leicester City Art Gallery). She has taught literature and creative writing at Loughborough University and Stockholm University. She has been Writer in Residence for the Shetland Islands and is currently a Scottish Arts Council Writing Fellow at Glasgow Women’s Library.

She has just finished writing her second collection of poems ‘A Choreographer’s Cartography’ and is currently working on a novel.

'...Last night a poet saved my life
made love flirting with my ears
sound arousing my sense of taste
I mouth words
my fingertips caressing the page...'
 
from 'Lovers, Liars, Conjurers and Thieves' published by Peepal Tree Press, 2003

Racism

Racism
A silent storm that stalks
And will rain down and drench everyone

Racism
A steel stone that sits
In cold, closed hearts

Racism
A long, heavy history
Of death and tears throughout the years

Racism
A manic monster that snarls
And mouths off might

Racism
A vicious rumor that spreads
And deafens all ears

Racism
A sweat drenched nightmare
On a sticky, summers night

Racism
A cancer that chews
Through communities

Racism
A brazen bully who beats
Up kids in the school yard

Racism
The quiet, respected lady
Who lives down your street

Racism
A feeling that makes you feel
You can never let down your guard

Racism
A cut that bleeds
And bleeds and bleeds