Writes Ruby Millard, Assistant Librarian
In the run up to National Poetry Day, hip-hop artist and award-winning poet Karl Nova joined the Upper Third Form for performances and a workshop in the library.
Karl (known for his energetic performances and relatable poetry) shared stories from his life growing up in both London and Nigeria. Karl described how his life experiences and discovery of rap led him to express himself through poetry, and argued that it can “stimulate your mind and feed your imagination”.
During his workshop to a selection of Upper Third students (nominated by their English teachers), Karl talked about how various writing techniques are the backbone of poetry and rapping such as alliteration and personification.
He gave the students the cheat code to writing poetry: repetition and speaking from the heart. By exploring a single statement in different ways students were able to write some fantastic poems on topics such as solving a Rubik’s Cube, free speech and cricket.
Karls poetry books are available to borrow from the library.
Poem by Joshua A. (U3rds)
Got into the car
I’m extremely bored
I didn’t think we were going far
Are we nearly there yet?
I just fell asleep
I had a dream it bored me
I woke up with a leap
Are we nearly there yet?
Only slept for ten
My sisters snoring again
I call my good friend Ben
Are we nearly there yet?
We’re never gonna get there
This was meant to be an hour
It’s hardly fair
Are we nearly there yet?
Poem by Leo M. (U3rds)
I want to say what I believe
But my tone is tired
By that iron hand
Isn’t it amazing what free speech can do?
The grip that controls society
The thought police are at your door
But this is no dream
Isn’t it amazing what free speech can do?
Stand up for what you think
Throw off the grip of that iron hand
Let’s stand up and save society
Isn’t it amazing what free speech can do?
Poem by Rafferty S. (U3rds)
All day on your phone
Face glued to the screen
You start to cross the road
Phones will slowly kill you.
Sitting on the sofa, playing Clash Royale
Face straight up to the battle ground
Radio waves start to fry your brain
Phones will slowly kill you.
You offend people on YouTube
You hide behind your phone
You meet the guy in person
Phones will slowly kill you.
Trust me, don’t do it
Don’t use your phone, just don’t
You’ve seen the facts, now you know
Phones will slowly kill you.
Thoughts on Karl Nova’s visit by Leo M. (U3rds)
Today, in reference to National Poetry week, we had a visit from Karl Nova, the hip-hop artist/poet. He’s released two books of poems, ‘Rhythm and Poetry’ and ‘The Curious Case of Karl Nova’.
Thoughts on Karl Nova’s visit by Joshua A. (U3rds)
I came into the room with high hopes for the workshop after Karl Nova’s amazing talk earlier in the day – but those hopes were quickly exceeded! To my surprise, I was greeted with chatter about Marvel movies, which soon led to a discussion of poetry through the characters’ alliterated names.
From there, we explored other poetic devices, including metaphors, similes and personification. But Karl Nova had one more trick up his sleeve: he revealed that repetition is a simple yet powerful way to create a spectacular poem. He then set us the task of writing our own poem, using a repeated line after every three-line verse.
Overall, it was an incredible workshop that lived up to – and even surpassed – the high standard set by Karl Nova’s earlier talk. It made National Poetry Day a truly memorable experience for the Upper Thirds!
