For lots more exciting info about me, please go to my main home - www.joshuaseigal.co.uk

Monday 2 November 2015

Wonderful Poem by early stage EAL student.

I am Poet in Residence at a girls' secondary school in Newham, East London. The school has a very high population of EAL students. This morning I discovered a wonderful poem in my pigeonhole, written by one such student. I should confess that I was not directly involved with the composition of the piece, although I have used similar ideas in my work around refugees. I think the poem highlights some ideas that are important for people getting to grips with a new language: its use of repetition, clear scaffolding and sense-data are all interesting. Here is the fantastic poem:


Poem by Sarjitha

I will need my food
People around me are tired and hungry
Babies are crying for milk and water
I will need my food

I will need my clothes
People around me are dripping wet
Shaking, cold and in dirty clothes
I will need my clothes

I will need my book
People around me want to learn
I learn how to read and write
I will need my book

I will need my water
People around me are thirsty
Babies are thirsty
I will need my water

I will need my money
People around me are poor and sad
They need their money so they can
Feed their babies
I will need my money