'Powerful' young poets imagine a greener future
YOUNG poets shared their views on nature, wildlife and recycling at a showcase held at AESSEAL’s Rotherham headquarters.
More than 150 children from five local schools entered the Imagining A Greener Future competition, run by AESSEAL and The Poetry Society, with finalists attending an awards event.
Students from Abbey School, Oakwood, Wales High, St Bernard’s Catholic High and Meadowhead were joined by The Poetry Society’s Billie Manning, Natasha Ryan and director Judith Palmer, Wakefield poet Matt Abbott and Foyle Young Poet Nathan Graham.
Matt, who carried out workshops at schools as part of the project, recited some of his own works, and said: “The judges were really impressed by the many different ways the poets responded to the theme.
“Some imagined hopeful futures where nature is protected and looked after.
“Others give us a warning about what could happen if we don’t take care of the planet.”
Commended poets read their works before the runners-up took to the stage to perform their poems.
They were St Bernard’s pupil Idrees Ali (Time To Dream, Time To Change) and Abbey School’s Ava-Mae Marnley (Field Behind My House), who both won £50 book tokens and goodies.
Judith announced the overall winner, Year 8 Oakwood student Khadija Shafiq – whose poem Oh To Live In A World won her a £75 book token, a book bag and goodies – and said: “This poem really stood out to the judges for its powerful voice and the way it builds its message through the repeated line ‘Oh to live in a world…’.
“It’s a poem that encourages us to stop for a moment and really think about what kind of future we want to help create.”