This week, in Reading, we are focussing on the poem ‘Refugees’ by Brian Bilston. This poem is a palindrome. A palindrome is when a word, phrase, or sequence that reads the same backwards as forwards e.g. madam or nurses run.
We discussed our thoughts about the poem after reading it forwards and backwards. This poem was incredibly clever as the meaning changed depending on which way you read it.
Hadi said, “When we read it first we disliked the poem but when we read it from bottom to top I liked it.”
Nimrah said, “The poem is unfair because people had to evacuate from their countries and it wasn’t their fault. The poem read the opposite way made it seem like the poet really cared for people.”
Danny said, “When we first read the text, I found the poet unkind because he didn’t want to share things with refugees but when read the opposite way he was kind as he did actually want to share.”
Layla said, “I think the poet is clever because it doesn’t just talk about it in a bad way, it also talks about it in a good way.”
Help at home: Have a read of the poem – backwards and forwards – and discuss your thoughts.
