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Poetry workshop run by Spork

Students from various schools attended a day long poetry workshop run by the Exeter based spoken word group Spork.

Scott Shand from Exmouth Community College sent this feedback:

Year 9 students Dylan, Tom, William, Amelia, Ava, Megan, Emily and Monique attended a day long poetry workshop run by the Exeter based spoken word group “Spork”.
This, according to David Marston of the prestigious Budleigh Literary Festival, was one of the highlights of the festival when teenagers from schools in the area collaborate and write individual poems, culminating in a public performance on stage in the Public Hall at the end of the day.
Our students handled the day with confidence and aplomb giving a truly mesmerising performance which to quote one of the workshop leaders, “made the hairs on her arms stand up.” David Marston stated that “it gave him hope that the next generation were so in control of expressing their emotions and unphased about the barrier that is sometimes erected by the term poetry. It is about truth and feelings and should be accessible to all.”

One poem that summed up the work was a collaboration between four girls including Colyton Grammar, Queen Elizabeth, Kings and our own Amelia Charles on the theme of identity.

I come from doodled pages and random things I feel like doing.
I come from the music me and my Mum listen to.
I come from that first jolt of icy water.
I come from lunchtimes, releasing my anger on the drums.

I come from an undercurrent, standing out, standing strong, being exceptional, being insecure, being weak, but never showing it.
I come from trying my best to make my family proud.
I come from the little comments people make.

I come from my Pop’s roast potatoes.
I come from citrusy fruits.
I come from Super Noodles.
I come from Toby carveries, which my Great Grandad used to love.