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.
