Not even 24 hours on from the appalling attack on the Manchester Arena, Tony Walsh took to the microphone on a stage next to the steps of the city’s town hall.
Thousands had gathered in Albert Square to mourn the 22 people killed by the bombing the previous night, and the atmosphere was understandably strange and slightly tense.
At this point, few of those watching the vigil – both in Albert Square and on television – would have been familiar with Tony’s work.
Over the course of the next five minutes, Tony read his poem, This Is The Place, written about Manchester. In that five minutes, the intense silence lifted. There was cheering; there was even laughter. The eruption of noise that accompanied its final words: “Choose love,” was nearly enough to drown them out.
Defiant poem pays tribute to the spirit of Manchester, written and performed by @LongfellaPoet at the #ManchesterAttack vigil. Watch in full pic.twitter.com/t4vmCocJNP
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 23, 2017
Although written long before the events of Monday night, Tony’s poem was perfect. Touching on the city’s role in the industrial revolution, its multiculturalism, its iconic music and its football, the poem captured the Mancunian identity wonderfully and showed off a sense of civic pride that simply will not wilt in the face of terror.
As a result, the poem was shared high and wide.
Not even two weeks on, and Manchester staged the One Love concert, with all money raised going to help those bereaved and injured by attack.
Again, Tony performed his poem. Again, people laughed, cheered and applauded.
And at the end of the night, Tony hopped on a busy tram bound for Bury. As the footage below shows, he once again read his poem, much to the delight of those on board.
Yet again, the words are moving – especially the moment when fellow passengers join in for the line “Mancunians Forever”.
Tony Walsh is on our tram back to Bury & read This is The Place after #OneLoveManchester – what an amazing night & atmosphere 💛 pic.twitter.com/lwz2aJrQNK
— Jess (@jxssmitchell) June 4, 2017
