Reading poetry out loud together in English is a real pleasure. The poems are selected from all over the world and are from the past as well as the present. We have read poems by Maya Angelou, Shakespeare, DH Lawrence, Carol Ann Duffy, and Tennyson, to name but a few. We look at the poetic techniques used (rhyme, alliteration, rhythm and so on), the words chosen (or not) and discuss the meaning. Naturally there is time to give a personal reaction to the poem too. The following poem was one we read when we had the theme of Water.

Sea Fever

 John Masefield 1878 – 1967

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.