A 14-year-old boy has become Old Buckenham High School's first poet laureate. Jordan Bailey's poem about Barack Obama and Martin Luther King clinched him the newly-created title which was awarded at the school's celebration of success assembly.
A 14-year-old boy has become Old Buckenham High School's first poet laureate.
Jordan Bailey's poem about Barack Obama and Martin Luther King clinched him the newly-created title which was awarded at the school's celebration of success assembly.
Teachers were asked to nominate one pupil who they felt would be able to make comments on national and international events through poetry.
The 20 nominees were invited to write a poem about an event in 2008 to be judged by governors and staff.
Andrea Hassan, speaking on behalf of the school, said: “The standard was so high and we are all so proud of how much effort the pupils clearly put in.”
The winner of the poet laureate title will be required to write one poem each month to raise awareness of, and celebrate, special occasions.
They will hold the title for the duration of 2009 and will then award their successor the title for 2010.
The title-holder will be presented with an engraved silver-plated notepad holder and shield.
Here is Jordan Bailey's poem entitled 'I have a dream'.
He had a dream in '63,
Believing he could change history
He matched, he spoke, he stood tall,
To make America fair for all
He wanted life to change for good,
For everyone, as it should
He marched to give his people rights,
So all God's children could unite
He brought his people's lives alight,
By showing America what was right
Marching to Washington with his people,
To make discrimination illegal
A man, a senator, a human so young
Waiting to become president so long,
2008 became his year
Where he stood tall, his vision clear
A man bringing hope to many,
Where before there seemed, not any
His strive to complete his ultimate goal,
To give America an eternal soul
A man of integrity
Trying to maintain equality
Uniting his people to one nation
Creating total integration
Two men, four decades divide,
Two dreams which now collide,
Martin and Barack there's no mystery
They both will be part of history.
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