School Days

You never forget your school days? Is this because we were young, our minds marvellously open to the new and undiscovered? Or is it the repeating patterns of the school day and year? Whatever the reasons, there'll always be moments we remember: the science experiment that went wrong, a teacher saying we're a star or the sticky-palmed hours in the hall doing exams. And there's the universal experience of daydreaming out of the classroom window: ?The teacher repeats the question. Outside the window, on an overhanging branch, a robin is ruffling its feathers?? from 'The Hand' by Mary Ruefle These lively and enriching poems capture the light and shade of our days at school, and celebrate the teachers who help shepherd us through childhood and out into the world. Poems by Kathryn Bevis, Carole Bromley, Jeanette Burton, Charles Causley, Denise Duhamel, Jonathan Edwards, Carla Sofia Ferreira, Oliver Goldsmith, Lorna Goodison, Andrew Jamison, Stephen Knight, Keith Leonard, Hannah Lowe, Thomas Lux, Brad Aaron Modlin, Kim Moore, Christopher Reid, Mary Ruefle, Catherine Smith and Jennifer Wong. Cover illustration by Cat Moore. Includes one poetry pamphlet, envelope and co-ordinating bookmark with space for your own personal message.