Writes Ruby Millard, Assistant Librarian
On Tuesday, the Upper Third Form enjoyed a lively and engaging visit from award-winning poet Joshua Seigal. Through interactive performances of poems from his books, Joshua entertained students with verses about embarrassing moments, annoying things, football commentators, and even cats and dogs.
Students also had the opportunity to become poets themselves. One group created poems using only song titles, while others responded to the prompt, “Choose a colour to match your personality.” Working creatively and collaboratively, the students produced some fantastic poems in a remarkably short amount of time. Thank you to those who read their wonderful poems out.
The sessions ended with a question-and-answer discussion. Joshua explained that a school visit from poet Michael Rosen during his childhood helped him see a different side to poetry and inspired his creative journey. His advice to anyone who wants to start writing anything creatively is to write down ideas as they come to you and know that poetry can be about anything.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring visit, and the students should be proud of the enthusiasm, creativity, and excellent participation they demonstrated throughout the sessions.
Riaan S. (U3rds) writes: “I enjoyed Mr. Seigal’s poems as they were imaginative and creative which brought the poems to life. He used humour to engage the audience and make it more enjoyable. Before his visit, I did not realise how enjoyable poetry could be. Overall, I found the experience memorable, and it gave me a different perspective to poetry.”
Here are some poems that the students wrote:
Somebody’s Watching Me
Anxiety is Cooking Me
But I have High Hopes
That Another Love
Or A 7 Nation Army
Will Take Me Back
To Chicago
I Feel Like a Mockingbird
Let The Sky fall
Let The Earth Crumble
Let The Memories Wash Over Me
Now It’s After Dark
My Anxiety is Faded
By Pirajen G. (U3rds)
When you see a black dot on a white piece of paper and you decide to point it out,
You are a pessimist.
When you focus on the night sky instead of the bright moon,
You are a pessimist.
But the darkness is the reason why the light shines bright.
The saviour nobody knew they needed.
Yet when you point it out, it is regarded as a negative.
By Neil B. (U3rds)
Orange describes me,
It is fiery yet calm,
A prowling tiger at sunset
Or boiling lava destroying everything in its path.
Neon describes me,
It is bright and intelligent
Buzzing with vibrance and knowledge
Attracting all sorts of things.
I am everything I can be
From volcanoes, to the sky, to the sea.
By Pranith N. (U3rds)
All light amounts to me
I am blank, bright and open
Something from nothingness itself.
What am I?
I am new beginnings, empty,
Dark yet bright.
Not lack of colour
But the canvas the colour was drawn on.
What am I?
I am purity, boring and blank.
Which is why temptation requires discipline.
I am whimsical, full and bright.
I am white.
By Kodi D. (U3rds)
Green is the growing grass,
The forest full of trees.
Spring is the season which should not pass
With all the flowers and buzzing bees.
Green is when the air is fresh
And the flowers in the meadow bloom
The green Is disappearing
While the world is slowly forgetting
That green is beauty.
By Hugo G. (U3rds)
