I discovered the work of Anne Duffy recently. The poem that spoke to me was “In Mrs. Tilscher’s Class.” It is an ode to childhood and those teachers who had a great deal of influence on you as a child. More information about her can be found at https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/carol-ann-duffy/.
I quote a small segment I found amusing because it captures a child’s mind perfectly and with humor.
... A rough boy told you how you were born. You kicked him, but stared at your parents, appalled, when you got back home.
That feverish July, the air tasted of electricity. A tangible alarm made you always untidy, hot, fractious under the heavy, sexy sky. You asked her how you were born and Mrs Tilscher smiled, then turned away...
She wrote or contributed to eight collections of children’s poetry, among many other works. I invite you to check them out at your favorite bookstore or online. Here's a list:
Meeting Midnight (London: Faber and Faber, 1999)
The Oldest Girl in the World (London: Faber and Faber, 2000)
The Good Child’s Guide to Rock‘n’Roll (London: Faber and Faber, 2003)
Another Night Before Christmas (London: John Murray, 2005)
The Hat (London: Faber and Faber, 2007)
New and Collected Poems for Children (London: Faber and Faber, 2009)
The Gift (Bath: Barefoot, 2010)
101 Poems for Children: a Laureate’s choice (London: Macmillan, 2013)
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