CAROL ANN DUFFY: from New Selected Poems 1984–2004 Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 5 Read this poem, and then answer the question that follows it: Head of English Today we have a poet in the class. A real live poet with a published book. Notice the inkstained fingers girls. Perhaps we're going to witness verse hot from the press. Who knows. Please show your appreciation by clapping. Not too loud. Now 5 sit up straight and listen. Remember the lesson on assonance, for not all poems, sadly, rhyme these days. Still. Never mind. Whispering's, as always, out of bounds – but do feel free to raise some questions. 10 After all, we're paying forty pounds. Those of you with English Second Language see me after break. We're fortunate to have this person in our midst. 15 Season of mists and so on and so forth. I've written quite a bit of poetry myself, am doing Kipling with the Lower Fourth. Right. That's enough from me. On with the Muse. Open a window at the back. We don't 20 want winds of change about the place. Take notes, but don't write reams. Just an essay on the poet's themes. Fine. Off we go. Convince us that there's something we don't know. Well. Really. Run along now girls. I'm sure that gave an insight to an outside view. Applause will do. Thank you 25 very much for coming here today. Lunch in the hall? Do hang about. Unfortunately I have to dash. Tracey will show you out.