Chimwemwe Chirwa wrote this short poem (originally published on our Open Spaces) to summarise what the Legislative Theatre group in Mindset Revolution is doing. The first session we dropped in on as researchers they were doing a legislative theatre exercise that revolved around mental health and the workplace. The poem encompasses how the legislative theatre group uses audience members (in the poem’s case the angel) to act as someone who can be a legislative leader and change the outcome of legislative plays.
The liberating licks of tobacco can only linger for so long
There’s not enough people in today matey boy what’s going on
The corporate shadow laps up the sunshine that glisten in my eyes
They’re scrapping admin jobs to absolutely no surprise
You can threaten to leave but that won’t change a thing
Your capitalist bossman has already moved onto his next ting
The power you thought you had is dwindling at the picket line
You start to quite quit and tell all your other co-workers your fine
A stranger cladded in white between the exhausted crowds is waving at you
The individual calls out to you that the theatrics of your existence are about to be changed
You don’t have to live your life enraged
For I am the angel for legislation
Here to build a better life for you a new foundation
Feel the sensation, vibration of your newly found spirit of affirmation
This toxicity doesn’t serve you anymore
And I’m going to put plans in place so you shouldn’t have to suffer in this convenience store
The theatre of your life will come into law
So you don’t have to fight constantly against the bourgeois
Liberated from the shackles of institution
Don’t you worry my dear you’ll get your restitution
