On his watch

His crew struggled to cut through thick black smoke.

Doorknobs too hot to handle.

Going in above the fire

to knock on doors, get people out.

Exceeding the ten minutes of safety

on their breathing apparatus

Putting their own mask on casualties.

Carrying a casualty alone, sometimes

more than one at a time

You can’t see colour in smoke.


After watching the footage,

played back from a mobile phone,

the fire spitting and sparking,

he repeated again

he was ‘outside his comfort zone’,

wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.

Offered a five minute break.

The officer said ‘ten please’.


© Judith Wozniak

Grenfell Inquiry dramatically halted after firefighter Michael Dowden breaks down over mobile phone footage

Judith Wozniak is a retired GP living in Hampshire. She is currently a student at the Poetry School in London.

Who Do You Blame?

Those who fought it
    or those who caused it?

Those who saved sixty-five
    or those who cost seventy-two?

Those who did not know the tower was clad in torchwood
    or those who chose that cladding because it was cheaper?

Those whose chosen job is to walk into burning buildings to save life
    or those whose careers are built on making money by cutting corners?

Those who have seen things they will never forget
    or those who see only pounds and pence?

Those whom the community deeply respects
    or those it holds in profound contempt?

Those who pass muster
    or those who pass the buck?

Michael Dowden, we stand with you.


© Janine Booth

'I Am Michael Dowden' trends on Twitter as Grenfell firefighter who broke down at inquiry is inundated with messages of support

#IAmMichaelDowden

Janine Booth lives in Hackney, East London. She writes and performs poetry, and has had three slim volumes of poetry published. Janine posts poems and political polemics at www.janinebooth.com