By Anita Foxall.
It never ceases to amaze me when I meet incredible and talented people at the various spoken word events I attend. They are undoubtedly spaces for continuous inspiration.
I met Stevina Southwell at one of those events, and after a joyous chat about poetry and spoken word performances I discovered that she too writes and that one of her poems has won a poetry competition: “Surviving Rejection”. This poem was born after Stevina’s long stay in ICU after getting COVID in 2020.
Building on the power of her poem, she transformed its verses into heartfelt song lyrics, which became a song called “Rise Higher”. This endeavour became a collaborative music piece with other local talented artists who came together to infuse the song with their unique styles and energy, namely: the musician Fragile Lucy (who composed the music); rappers Hype n Hood and Mr Buoyant; as well as Cynthia Wilson & The Friday Girls’ Choir (New Forest).
On World Mental Health Day, October 10th, 2024, the song ‘Rise Higher’ was launched at Southampton General Hospital and featured on ITV Meridian. It is important to highlight that this remarkable achievement was made possible by a community of talented and creative individuals from Southampton and Hampshire, who generously donated their time and skills for free, with focus on reaching as many people as possible seeing that the song is about hope and healing, particularly for those struggling with poor mental health and trauma.
They are called Hidden Gems Hampshire. “Finding the treasure within to promote good mental health through creative talent”
Surviving Rejection
By Stevina Southwell
The more they push me, I will rise;
I was born to survive.
Unwanted child, steeped in rejection;
Crying out for some affection.
A product of someone else’s sin;
Like rubbish thrown into the bin.
Caregivers and educators have me excluded;
Any kind of love has been eluded.
Voices of condemnation put me down;
Expecting me to fail and drown.
“Not good enough!” introjections, ring in my head;
I look in the mirror; my image I dread.
No perseverance in my soul;
I’m in the pit like a heap of coal.
Amongst the gravel and the grit;
Life seems pointless, I have to admit.
I find it hard to catch my breath;
I feel my best friend, would be death.
But in the depth of my despair;
A gentle voice says “persevere!”
“Come up child, you are valuable to me;
The chains that bind you I set free.
You are a diamond, you’re more than enough;
Stand strong my child, the lies you must rebuff!
I know your life is not perfected;
You’ve felt alone and rejected.
Born for such a time as this;
I’ll take you out of the dark abyss.
I give you my hand to lift you higher;
You will flourish and inspire.
You have struggled and you have thrived;
Against the odds you have survived.”
Credits
Stevina Southwell: Lyrics
Mark Carter: Co Project Manager: Fiesta FM
Fragile Lucy: Musical Composition
Hype n Hood: Rapper
Mr Buoyant: Rapper
Cynthia Wilson & The Friday Girls’ Choir (New Forest)
Matt O”Donnell from Untapped Talent Studios Southampton Mix & Mastered
Ophelia Watson: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Rise Higher Video: here
Fragile Lucy’s work can be found here:
Fragile Lucy (@fragilelucy) • Instagram photos and videos