Jeremy Roberts is a published poet who has his third collection out shortly.  Lindisfarne was honoured to host him for two workshops – one with 78ROL during their Oral Com lesson and an optional workshop for aspiring artists after school. Jeremy shared a reading of three short, edgy poems chosen to appeal to the boys. After some discussion, our students got busy put pen to paper. They collaborated with a partner to produce a work of their own. Below are snippets from each poem:

Dry and lonely

Clumpy like a shingle road

Attracts big, juicy, green grasshoppers

By George and Parker

I was not the first born

I don’t come first in class

I don’t get the best places

I don’t put my hand up first

I like to stop and think a while

By Will and Tyson

In disbelief, my hand starts to shake.

I can smell the pollen in the trees

And I start to sweat.

I can see the grass moving as the wind goes by.

I can hear dad telling me to keep calm,

Take the shot!

By Ethan and Toby

Close the door and you’re alone

A thousand eyes on one.

A breath, a line, a mighty roar.

A thousand eyes on one.

Trust, courage and all the kind

I stand alone, yet a team behind.

Hours of practice minutes

When a thought becomes a memory.

By Chris and Niko

Many thought we were finished.

Today they were proven wrong

Eyes shut tight, and we were right,

The ball found the goal.

By Luke and Jiten

Jeremy shared the following: “It was a privilege and so much fun to come to Lindisfarne college to read some poems to the students. It has been a while since I have been in a classroom and the response and creative energy of the boys was infectious and inspiring.  Keep writing, boys! I really liked what I saw and heard, today.”

Thank you to Dr Kristensen for organising this opportunity.

Article added: Tuesday 16 August 2022