Trinidad poet is laureate's hero

Far from water and salty, brave adventure of Nelson's fleet I recall, Roi Kwabena A hero from over the water - from Trinidad to Birminghum he came singing, always singing his way out of central library "Peace and love my brother," "Peace and love my sister" The obeah man, a griot I tell you I tell you so He sang Brother, How he sang! My hero. Excerpt from We Like Heroes Here by Adrian Johnson

A Smethwick poet, novelist and storyteller has been chosen as Birmingham's 14th poet laureate.

Adrian Johnson, a father-of-one, was announced as Birmingham City Council's choice for 2009/2010 to celebrate National Poetry Day.

He has taken over the unpaid honorary post from Chris Morgan.

His first poem in the role is based on a past poet laureate from Trinidad and Tobago and is called We Like Heroes Here. He performed it at 1200 BST.

The theme of National Poetry Day was heroes and heroines.

Mr Johnson, the author of Love and Taxes, said: "I often bumped into the poet Roi Kwabena, a former Birmingham poet Laureate, and in 2009 I recall him quite often with a smile as I walk along New Street like he used to."

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The man chosen to be Birmingham's 14th poet laureate, Adrian Johnson, recited a poem near to the "Floozy in the Jacuzzi" statue