Year 8 poetry anthology july 14

Foreword This is the second year that I’ve had the pleasure of reading poems written by Comberton students, thanks once again to the work of the students themselves, their teachers and the brilliant Mrs Denton. I spent a great and insightful series of evenings surrounded by the students’ poetry, reading and re-reading their thoughts and ideas and wracking my brains about which poems stand out the most; about which to put in the anthology. It was an awful and tough choice to make! In the end, the poems that I chose were the ones that stuck in my memory, the pieces that made me breathe in and think, or breathe out in laughter, sadness, frustration or joy. I wish they could have all gone in and I hope that those who didn’t will carry on writing as long as they find it a positive experience. I run a lot of workshops in a lot of schools around the country and normally am invited in for one day, and then leave. Comberton is different and for me, works the hardest to ensure their students get the most out of seeing live poetry. After a day of performing, they work with the young people to allow them to really explore their own ideas of poetry, of what they want to say on paper. And this enthusiasm and hard work has shone through in the poetry. Reading this collection of poetry makes me wish that those who speak badly of teenagers could come for just one moment, and sit with this collection and read. And re-read. And realise what diverse thoughts and feelings are connected with these young people. Of all the things I experience in my work as a poet, I most enjoy working with young people like those at Comberton, and being allowed a small glimpse into their imagination. Thanks so much. Hollie