A poem for young people on my SoundCloud page

Posted on April 13, 2017April 13, 2017 by Josephine Corcoran

I usually think it’s unnecessary to stipulate what age reader a poem (or any piece of writing) is for. I usually write for adults but I don’t consciously consider what age they might be. In any case, I started reading books “for adults” when I wasn’t even ten years old – as I’m sure is the case for many children with older brothers and sisters. And my own children have always been curious about whatever book my husband and I have been reading.

Anyway, all of this is a long-winded introduction to a poem I wrote last year when I was Poet in Residence at Trowbridge Town Hall.

It was originally called ‘Dear Trowbridge Town Hall’ as it was written for National Poetry Day (when the theme was ‘messages’) and I modeled the poem in workshops I ran for local schoolchildren (aged 8 – 13) who visited the town hall for a poetry workshop.

I’ve changed it slightly to make it less specific to Trowbridge and more about town halls in general (although I’m not sure how many had prison cells in their cellar, as Trowbridge had?). I’m extremely lucky that one of my great-nieces, Hannah, has done me the honour of recording the poem on SoundCloud. I think it needed a younger voice so I’m very grateful to Hannah for helping me out!

Have a listen!

14 thoughts on “A poem for young people on my SoundCloud page”

Chris Corcoran April 13, 20172:51 pm Reply

Lovely poem. Brilliantly read.

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1. Josephine Corcoran April 13, 20173:00 pm Reply
  
  Cheers, Chris! xx
  
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Cheryl Moskowitz April 13, 20173:05 pm Reply

This is wonderful Josephine (and Hannah!) So good. A poem for young and old and all in between. You have madeTrowbridge Town Hall and all its history alive and immortal.

>

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1. Josephine Corcoran April 13, 20173:08 pm Reply
  
  Thanks so much, Cheryl! 🙂 x
  
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Ann Perrin April 13, 20173:48 pm Reply

Brilliant! Always liked your blog and this poem and reading is very special. x

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1. Josephine Corcoran April 13, 20175:19 pm Reply
  
  Thanks so much, Ann! What a kind comment 🙂
  
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Heather Walker April 13, 20173:58 pm Reply

So nicely read. Ah! If walls could speak.

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1. Josephine Corcoran April 13, 20175:19 pm Reply
  
  Thank you! I know…. 🙂
  
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Sarah Hemings April 13, 20178:09 pm Reply

A great poem, beautifully read. Well done, girls! I was lucky enough to have poetry-reading classes at school, and hearing Hannah read this so well took me back… Really love the blog, especially when you’re brave enough to share your rejections with us, as you did recently!

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1. Josephine Corcoran April 13, 20178:50 pm Reply
  
  Thanks for the kind comments! Yes, rejections…. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of those to come 😦 but never mind 🙂
  
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Hilaire April 14, 20171:42 pm Reply

This is gorgeous! Great poem and lovely to hear Hannah read it.

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1. Josephine Corcoran April 14, 20173:53 pm Reply
  
  Thanks so much for saying so, Hilaire 🙂 I’m trying to write some more poems for a wide audience and it really helps to hear a younger voice read them.
  
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montagentle April 17, 20179:12 am Reply

I liked the poem. And so well read, and so clear even to this hard-of-hearing person ☺. Well done both.
MoiraG

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1. Josephine Corcoran April 17, 20179:52 am Reply
  
  Thanks for listening and for such a kind comment, Moira! 💐
  
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