"Head of English" by Carol Ann Duffy

Today we have a poet in the class.

A real live poet with a published book.

Notice the inkstained fingers, girls. Perhaps

we're going to witness verse hot from the press.

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5	Who knows. Please show your appreciation

by clapping. Not too loud. Now

sit up straight and listen. Remember

the lesson on assonance, for not all poems,

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sadly, rhyme these days. Still. Never mind.

10	Whispering's, as always, out of bounds -

but do feel free to raise some questions.

After all, we're paying forty pounds.

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Those of you with English Second Language,

see me after break. We're fortunate

15	to have this person in our midst.

Season of mists and so on and so forth

I've written quite a bit of poetry myself

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and doing Kipling with the Lower Fourth.

Right. That's enough from me. On with the Muse.

20	Open a window at the back. We don't

want winds of change about the place.

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Take notes, but don't write reams. Just an essay

on the poet's themes. Fine. Off we go.

Convince us that there's something we don't know.

25	Well. Really. Run along now, girls. I'm sure

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that gave an insight to an outside view.

Applause will do. Thank you

very much for coming here today. Lunch

in the hall? Do hang about. Unfortunately

30	I have to dash. Tracey will show you out.