Poetry: questions and Band 8 answers

Not very often, to be fair. I used to read a bit more when I had more spare time, but nowadays I mostly stick to fiction or news articles. That said, occasionally a short verse pops up on my social media feed, and I will pause to appreciate the imagery.

Yes, we did quite a lot of poetry analysis in secondary school English lessons. I remember having to learn traditional rhyming poems by heart and recite them in front of the whole class, which was rather nerve-racking at the time, although it did help me understand rhythm.

I wouldn't say I have a specific favourite writer, but I tend to enjoy free verse that focuses on everyday life rather than overly formal sonnets. I prefer poems that feel relatable and capture subtle emotions without using archaic or confusing language.

I have, actually. When I was a teenager, I kept a small notebook where I scribbled down short, emotional poems whenever I felt stressed. They were definitely quite melodramatic, looking back on them now, but it was a great creative outlet for me at that age.

I reckon it has had a bit of a revival, especially with spoken word performances and short-form verses shared online. Traditional published collections might not sell as well, but modern formats definitely seem to strike a chord with the younger generation.