Divorce by Jackie Kay
‘Divorce’ by Jackie Kay is about parent-child relationships and how children are impacted by adults’ issues. The speaker is a teenager who is struggling to contend with her parent’s relationship with one another.
Darling by Jackie Kay
‘Darling’ by Jackie Kay describes a woman’s death on a beautiful summer day and her close friend’s reaction. It was inspired by a personal loss the poet experienced.
Done is a Battell on the Dragon Blak by William Dunbar
‘Done is a Battell on the Dragon Blak’ by William Dunbar is a medieval Easter poem of Scottish roots. It tells of Christ’s victory over Satan by his crucifixion, death, and resurrection.
The Wind by Robert Louis Stevenson
‘The Wind’ by Robert Louis Stevenson inquires into the nature of the wind. Stevenson uses a young speaker in order to adequately convey a child-like wonder of this common element.
Stafford Afternoons by Carol Ann Duffy
Duffy’s ‘Stafford Afternoons’ is all about a child losing her way in the adult world and coming across an offensive scene that would leave its dark imprints in her mind.
Teacher by Carol Ann Duffy
Duffy’s ‘Teacher’ is about a teacher whose teaching has the power to infuse life into the mundane and dry figures of the book. This piece is written in admiration and love for her teaching.
Aiken Drum
‘Aiken Drum’ is an interesting Scottish folksong. It dates back to 1820 and describes what one strange man’s clothes are made out of.
The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry
‘The Peace of Wild Things’ by Wendell Berry is a popular poem about the natural world. The speaker spends the lines relishing in the freedom they experience in the woods.
Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns
‘Auld Lang Syne’ is a poem that addresses old acquaintances and the memories associated with them at the end of a year. It is a famous poem that is sung all across the world.
To a Mouse by Robert Burns
‘To a Mouse’ by Robert Burns describes the unfortunate situation of a mouse whose home was destroyed by the winter winds.
The Land of Story-Books by Robert Louis Stevenson
‘The Land of Story-Books’ by Robert Louis Stevenson describes a boy’s land of make believe that is inspired by his collection of books.
After Reading ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ by Robert Louis Stevenson
‘After Reading Antony and Cleopatra’ by Robert Louis Stevenson describes humankind’s unquenchable desire for “hopeless things” that stem from the past.
Dusting The Phone by Jackie Kay
‘Dusting The Phone’ by Jackie Kay is a a monologue of a woman yearning for a single phone call from the man she loves.
Havisham by Carol Ann Duffy
Carol Ann Duffy’s ‘Havisham’ is a response to Charles Dickens’s portrayal of the character Miss Havisham in his famous novel Great Expectations. This poem refers to the character as “Havisham” rather than “Miss Havisham.”
