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Thou art more lovely and more temperate!

The Year 9 Young City poets were visited today by published poet, Laila Sumpton, who supported them as they edited and improved their poems. The first drafts developed in to beautifully written and thoughtful works of art.

The original drafts had been written during a workshop at the Museum of London on January 22nd. Students had been asked to compose poems inspired by the Olympic Cauldron and famous athletes.

Today they returned to these poems, and were able to develop them by considering questions such as ‘what fuels an athlete?’ and ‘what would that look like in a snapshop?’ They discussed the attitudes of athletes, particularly in the face of defeat, which linked nicely to the PROUD ethos of Eastbrook students. Students could confidently discuss resilience and determination and convey these themes in their own poems.

As well as redrafting their work, each of the poets performed their poem – and were able to put in to practise the ‘clicking method’ of appreciation favoured in the poetry community.

Below is an example by Freya Staples:

 

As you stare at the water

all you see is you.

It’s calm and peaceful –

being relaxed is all you want to do.

 

The water is swaying and swishing,

and from the pool it leaps out,

When you’re with your team,

It’s nothing to worry about.

 

But synchronised swimmers are angelic and determined;

however, it doesn’t always end in success.

But if they try

to chase the win

they will do their absolute best.

 

Despite all the negative energy,

and the really painful days,

support from family and friends

can chase the blues away.

 

As perfect as a passionate flower,

blossoming in the sun,

they were so in synch

that by no surprise – they won.

 

Just remember this,

and forget about the hate.

If you are brave and determined,

You know you will be great.