Complete the three sentences below by choosing the appropriate words from the list (there may be more than one possible answer, but you can choose the one you prefer). Back up your answer with a quote and brief explanation.
a) The poet still thinks about his school days l fondly
l with fear
b) The bullies in the poem were l relentless
l indiscriminate
c) The young boy in the poem feels l powerless
l alone l nostalgically l harmless l disgusted l with humour l cruel l tiny
Listen to the poet reading his poem by looking up ‘Back in the Playground Blues by Adrian Mitchell’ on YouTube. After you have listened to the poet, work in a group and discuss these questions. Be able to support your answers with reasons.
1. 2.
Which experience did you prefer – reading the poem, or listening to it?
How did the experience of listening to the poet recite his own poem affect your understanding of it?
In this collection you will be doing several dramatic readings and this will help you to prepare for your Oral Communication task, so take a note of things you liked about the poet’s reading.
POET PROFILE Name: Eavan Boland (b. 1944)
Nationality: Irish Fact:
At her inauguration as President of Ireland in 1990, Mary Robinson quoted from Eavan Boland’s poetry.
Night Feed by Eavan Boland
This is dawn. Believe me
D
This is your season, little daughter. The moment daisies open, The hour mercurial rainwater
272 FIRE AND ICE 2 mercurial:
something that contains mercury and is therefore shining
