Meadowbank Changing Manifesto
We need another word
for badminton. If everyone’s
comfortable calling squash
squash, at least for the meantime,
we should consider the following
suggestions: swish, jumpwhack,
trainersqueek shimmyracket,
weirdsport, hurrystyles, nothockey,
ritzyexuberance, breathybeats,
SmashThePants, thintennis,
Whichsideamimeanttobegame,
Whatsthescorenowsport,
high-and-fluttery, middlerackety,
deftness, highnet, shuttlecockhitting,
over-the-top, sullyknee, pinstrip,
or how about we play it really
cautious and classy and just
trim the word to BAD? We’ll take
a vote so it should be pretty
painless. Starting localised
in this sweaty, noise-art
cardboard changing room,
but branching out like a
brakeless shuttlecock that’s
been watching Forrest Gump,
we’re going to refashion
every sport until the world’s
a different and/or better place!
About this poem
One of the poems chosen for National Poetry Day 2018 on the theme of ‘change’.
Learning Resources
-
Meadowbank Changing Manifesto Teaching Notes
Choose from the following activities to build your own Level Three or Four poetry lessons. The writing activities could be adapted for Senior students.
