This is a story about a 13 year old girl Kezia Blain, (who is now 21) and her proud dad (me) and how a small ripple can make a big difference. I hope it is a story that warms your heart and gives you hope for the future.
“You want to be the pebble in the pond that creates the ripple for change”
Tim Cook - CEO Apple Inc
When Kezia Blain, now aged 21, was thirteen years old, she wrote a poem for her homework:
My Magical Powers Poem By Kezia Blain - Aged 13
"If I had magical powers I would travel across the seven seas flying through froth topped waves breathing in the fresh breeze. I would watch the sunset and the sunrise from the hilltops and read minds more confusing than broken clocks. I’d cure the weak and save the lives of the innocent, help those in need of food and water and change the thoughts of evil. I’d destroy pain and suffering to the world and make poverty history. Comfort a child’s cries and stop global warming with a single fingertip. Help to conserve and exploit nature. I’d make a place with peace without war, teach people to let go, forgive and forget. Knowing people’s lives were getting better would make me stronger. I’d make people feel like their worries could just disappear with a snap and walk along warm beaches feeling the sand beneath my feet. I’d walk on water and become invisible. I would control the weather and make it snow. Make hearts go warm and glow. I would speak out and make peoples voices heard. I would open pathways that didn’t exist before. I’d do all of this and more".
A Chance Meeting
Kezia’s dad Jonathan liked the poem so much, he typed it up and kept a copy, for years and years, until one day he met a Singer Songwriter Tally Koren.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tally_Koren .
A Spark of Inspiration
They were chatting and Tally said she was interested in finding some inspirational lyrics to turn into songs. Jonathan remembered Kezia’s poem and showed it to Tally. Tally was moved to tears by the lyrics and the fact they were written by a 13 year old girl. The piano beckoned and before long, Tally was composing the poem into a song.
Serving a Higher Purpose
Tally Koren was so inspired she had a thought; wouldn’t it be nice to do something to encourage young people to think of peace, so that they could work towards achieving it their lifetime. In a flash of inspiration, she conceived the idea of Creating a National School’s Poetry Competition based on the theme of peace.
http://thenationalschoolspoetrycompetition.com/
Gaining Support
She decided to discuss the idea with Lord Eames, the ex Anglican Archbishop of Ireland, who was an instrumental player in bringing peace to Ireland. He too was moved to tears by the words of Kezia’s poem and the idea for the poetry competition, and so the competition was created.
Tally spoke about peace and sung her song about it at many schools. Over 500 children entered the competition.
Tally composed the music and recorded the song “My Magical Powers” at the Abbey Road Studio’s, which is most notable as being the 1960s' venue for innovative recording techniques adopted by the Beatles, Pink Floyd, the Hollies and others. Abbey Road is the eleventh studio album by English rock band the Beatles, released on 26 September 1969 by Apple Records.
Here is a video of the song, which was filmed at Abbey Road Studio
Tally then got to sing the song in front of a massive audience at the Royal Albert Hall with the backing of a huge orchestra.
Famous Poetry Competition Judges
The judges of the National School Poetry Competition including famous singer/songwriter Katie Melua ( In 2006, she was the United Kingdom's best-selling female artist and Europe's highest selling European female artist and famous lyricist Don Black, OBE (born 21 June 1938). His works have included numerous musicals, movie themes and hit songs. He has provided lyrics for John Barry, Charles Strouse, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Quincy Jones, Lulu, Jule Styne, Henry Mancini, Michael Jackson, Elmer Bernstein, Michel Legrand, Hayley Westenra, A. R. Rahman, Marvin Hamlisch and Debbie Wiseman. Allmusic stated that "Black is perhaps best-known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, and for the James Bond theme songs he co-wrote with composer John Barry: "Thunderball", "Diamonds Are Forever" and "The Man with the Golden Gun”.
Reception at The House of Lords
The vision of this inaugural “Vision of Hope” event is to transcend cultures, faiths and backgrounds through art and education and how a younger generation can show us their own vision of peace.
With contributions from leading spiritual speakers from three faiths including the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, Rabbi David Rosen CBE KSG (the ex Chief Rabbi for Ireland) who flew in from Israel especially for the event, Imam Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra together with prestigious personalities from art, film and music, will contribute to this unique and inspirational event. The event was Hosted by Baroness Blood and Lord Robin Eames OM.
The Winners of the Poetry Competition were announced at the Vision for Hope Reception at the House of Lords, where Tally Koren sang Kezia’s song dedicating her performance of it to Kezia.
Singer/Songwriter Tally Koren (left) Fine Art Photography Student Kezia Blain (right)
It was agreed by all present that Tally’s effort to engage with young people with a view to fostering peace and harmony was a hugely important initiative.
None of this would have happened had Kezia Blain not written her wonderful poem My Magical Powers for her school homework when she was 13 years old.
A small ripple can have a big impact – well done Tally and Kezia.
Details of where you can buy Tally Koren's song "My Magical Powers" can be found on her website: http://tallykoren.com
