Yesterday was my final two hour session with the group of Year 9 students from Clarendon College, Trowbridge who are writing poems to commemorate the visit of the Olympic Torch Relay to their school. The hard slog was done by the young writers as they shaped their rough drafts and ideas into poems to be sent off for typing and final presentation.
The group was independent from an early stage and had clear ideas about what they wanted to say in their writing. I offered guidance in choosing titles and layout and suggested some small word changes. They had excellent arguments to support their editorial decisions and demonstrated a refreshingly confident and energetic approach to the writing process.
It’s been such a positive experience working with this group. They are fantastic ambassadors for their school and town. I was really pleased to read in their evaluation of the workshops that they felt they were enjoyably challenged in these sessions and that they are pleased with the poems they’ve written.
My thanks to Bethany, Beth, Elliott, Josh, Lucy and Natalie for granting me permission to publish their poems here.
The Moment by Lucy The moment we anticipated with curiosity, our hands gripped onto cameras waiting for that magic moment. You shot through the crowds like a bullet of happiness, your golden armour glistening in the sunlight. You brought pride, hope and promises of good things. You made us cheer, clap and smile. You are the moment we all remember. * Street to Street, Town to Town by Elliott As you make your way through the streets, your magnificence moves on. You are a symbol of unity, a beacon of hope; your flame burns bright to light the way, for crowds to see. You stand tall and proud as your journey winds slowly to a close, to start again the next day, spreading your glow across the land. Street to street, town to town, as you leave us standing and cheering. You will be with us forever. * No Storm Will Stop Me By Natalie No storm will stop me Nothing will dampen my shine Now is my time So let me shine bright I travel the country From town to town, City to city Hand to hand Through cloud and haze I’ll light up the path I flicker and twist I am golden and bright I unite I am hope I am joy I am pride I am the torch I am the start * Torch by Josh Gleaming golden light You entered the school ground with admiration You sounded like a hot air balloon You brought flags and cheers You left pride * I remember….. By Bethany Sun burning Students running Anticipation growing Buses trundling Admirers screaming Tension mounting Time passing Burgundy faces Breeze stops blowing Frustrated faces Seconds ticking Excited faces Clapping started Volume rising Flame flickering Feet stampeding Pupils chasing Teachers cheering Everyone gathering Cameras flashing Moment passing * Flame of Glory By Beth There will come the astonishing moment when you are lit up for all to see. You burn brightly and light up the skies With your magnificent flame of glory…. In the blink of an eye there was an amazing moment… the smell of freshly cut grass.. men planting pansies and roses… camera flashes in the glistening sun… Silence fell and then you were gone.
Josephine Corcoran 
[…] may remember from previous posts here and here, that I have been working with a group of talented Year 9 writers at Clarendon College, Trowbridge […]
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[…] written about some of the poetry workshops I’ve facilitated in schools here, here and here). Even at the grand old ages of 13 and 14 my kids (and me!) still pick up their much-thumbed copies […]
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