Write a poem (10–20 lines) about childhood that includes examples of non-human characters (e.g. toys). Draft it first and then read it aloud to a friend or family member. Make some changes based on the feedback you receive. You’ll return to it later in this collection.
POET PROFILE Name: Charles Causley (1917–2003)
Nationality: English (born in Cornwall) Fact:
Every year in June, the ‘Charles Causley Festival’ is held in Causley’s hometown of Launceston.
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The next poem is about a boy called Timothy Winters. When asked whether the boy existed, the poet replied, ‘People always ask me whether this was a real boy. My God, he certainly was. Poor old boy. I don’t know where he is now. I was thunderstruck when people thought I’d made it up – he was a real bloke. Poor little devil.’
Timothy Winters by Charles Causley
Timothy Winters comes to school With eyes as wide as a football-pool, Ears like bombs and teeth like splinters: A blitz of a boy is Timothy Winters.
His belly is white, his neck is dark, And his hair is an exclamation mark. His clothes are enough to scare a crow And through his britches the blue winds blow.
