1. To develop an understanding of the poem

2. To develop awareness of how narrative voice is used in poetry.

Key SkillsKey Skills: Communication

Working with others

Improving own learning and performance

Born: 22 February 1914 University of Birmingham – BA, MA Teacher and journalist Called up: 1941 – Japanese translator BBC playwright and poet Died: 8 December 1986

Click to hear the poem being read by the poet

Read the Poem Carefully… There are two

speakers in this poem.– Explain who they are

and what they are doing or thinking.

– Use a highlighter to show the separate speaker’s lines

– Optional: with a partner, prepare a reading of this poem.

The poem is supposed to be split into five stanzas.– Mark these breaks on

your sheets.– Explain your

decisions.

Underline every word that you associate with guns or weapons in red.

Underline every word that you associate with natural or peaceful feelings in green.

Explain why you think the poet has joined these two very different elements?

Find the repetition in each stanza and underline it.– Why do you think the

poet used this technique?

Key wordsKey words:

pun contrast juxtaposition

Write a paragraph explaining why you think this poem is successful.

Key wordsKey words:

pun contrastjuxtaposition imagery