Pride

by Jackie Kay

Pride’ by Jackie Kay is a moving poem about identity and pride. The poet utilised her personal experience when writing this piece. - The video below shows Jackie Kay reciting her poem. In the poem's first part, the speaker begins by describing herself on a train during a nighttime journey leaving Euston station. She meets a black man on the train with whom she has an instant connection. She feels as though he can see into her mind and her past.

To an extent, this proves to be true. They speak, and he explains that she is Ibo or comes from a specific tribe in Africa. This is highly relevant to the speaker, who is on a journey of self-discovery. They converse further, and he makes her feel as though her identity is something to be incredibly proud of. When the poem concludes, it becomes clear that the speaker has imagined this entire interaction.

Source - https://poetrystation.org.uk/poems/pride#commentframe