Poem at Golden Square, Birmingham

Ian McMillan’s poem “Talking to Somebody about the Jewellery Quarter” was inspired by a visit to the neighbourhood in central Birmingham. In 2015, it was laser-cut into the seam that runs down the middle of the Golden Square on Warstone Lane, Birmingham. [The Hockley Flyer] The typeface in use in Lucida Sans, in roman and italic styles. The text reads:

This place shines. It really shines.
Put that in your poem: it shines.
I’m scribbling as fast as I can,
but this place is many faceted.
Like a jewel, you mean?
Very clever. Don’t forget: it flippin’ shines.
It’s a kind of multi-faceted and gleaming and, yes, shining, asset.
To a city that’s already full to bursting with ideas and places.
Put this in your poem: it’s been here for two hundred years.
And have you mentioned The Big Peg?
Not yet but I will, I will, It was a place where jewellers with their gleaming faces?
Yes, if you like, gathered in this city … am I making myself clear?
It kind of moves, this place, it dances, it shimmies, it’s never still.
Shimmers. I like that. That’s really helpful, thankyou very much.
No, shimmies, mate; it dances, this place really moves and shines.
A bit like a jewel does; Thanks, thanks … It sparkles to your touch.
The Jewellery Quarter: craft and art and business meet. Sublime!

This piece of public art is part of the winning redevelopment proposal conceived by BPN Architects together with artist David Patten and Landscape Architects Capita.