A tribute to poet and spoken word artist Sky Hawkins
Poet Jeff Price remembers his friend and admired colleague, known and loved by many as The Word Bird, who died suddenly last week
I was heartbroken to hear of the tragic death of Sky Hawkins, poet, writer, performer, teacher, AKA The Word Bird.
Over supper last night, my wife and I shared our memories of her, which go back to her teenage years when Lynda met her for the first time at a friend's house.
She had already been through the care system and although a much troubled young woman, the spark of life that burnt so bright in her was already evident.
Lynda remembered when she turned up at the school where she taught with her three-year-old son Ben by her side, determined to give him the life she never knew as a child.
I had the privilege of working with her on poetry projects as part of Radikal Words, a company working with young people on spoken word projects in schools and youth groups.
She found that she could use her experiences as a way of reaching out to people who were going through similar problems she had gone through in the care system. Her empathy and understanding broke down barriers and allowed those she taught to find their voices and speak their truth.
She went on to form her own company The Word Bird, taking her message of hope even deeper into the working-class communities she felt so much a part of.
Sky was an amazing performer bringing depth and nuance to her beautifully crafted poetry.
She was not afraid to challenge her audience but she could blend humour with her message. Whether in the upstairs rooms of pubs like the Cumberland Arms or prestigious venues like Northern Stage, her heart, warmth and sheer dynamism was a wonder to behold.
It is no great secret that Sky struggled with her mental health and in giving so much, she sometimes forgot to care for the person who needed it as much as they did: herself.
Sadly, at much too young an age we lost her, and the outpouring of emotion on social media from friends, fellow poets, and from those who were touched by her words and helped by her work is a testament to how much she was loved by so many.
She will be missed by us all and especially by Ben, her son, but her legacy lives on through all the lives she touched with her enthusiasm, kindness, and wonderful ability to make us laugh, cry, and to see the world through her lens.
The last word goes to Sky from her poem Let the City Shine.
The Moon shivered under her cloud
Whilst the stars cast words of hope.
Sky Hawkins, 1972-2025
Note: Sky’s son Ben has set up a crowdfunding page to help with funeral costs and a spoken word/open mic night to celebrate her life. Anyone who would like to donate, can do so here.