IMTIAZ DHARKER:I think it's time I read you a love poem and this one happened because I-- there was a l-- A long time that I spent on trying to write a poem with a particular dream. But the poem wouldn't get written, it just didn't work but at some point I tried writing the poem as a sonnet
IMTIAZ DHARKER:and there was something about the formality of the form, the structure of it that made me able to write the dream into this poem. It's called "The Trick". "In a wasted time It's only when I sleep, that all my senses come awake. In the wake of you, let day not break.
IMTIAZ DHARKER:Let me keep the scent, the weight the bright of you. Take the countless hours and count them. All night through, till that time comes when you come to the door of dreams carrying oranges that cast a glow up into your face. Greedy for more than the gift of seeing you I lean in to taste the colour. Kiss it off your offered mouth.
IMTIAZ DHARKER:For this, for this I fall asleep in haste. Willing to fall for the trick that tells the truth - that even your shade makes darkest absence bright, that shadows live wherever there is light."
Imtiaz Dharker performs and describes her poem The Trick.
She details how she was struggling to write a love poem, but found that by writing a sonnet the words, about dreaming of love, flowed more easily - despite the formality of the style.
This clip is from the series Contains Strong Language.
Teacher Notes
Pupils could create a chart of themes they think the poem covers, and how Imtiaz’ use of language and pace supports or enables this.
As a vocal exercise, pupils could look at whether the meaning of the poem changes from being read on the page to being read aloud.
Does anything else jump out at them which they hadn't previously noticed?
Curriculum Notes
This topic is relevant for teaching English Literature at KS4 & GCSE/National 4 & 5.
More from the series: Contains Strong Language
Imtiaz Dharker performs This Tide of Humber. video
Imtiaz Dharker performs and describes her poem This Tide of Humber.
Imtiaz Dharker performs The Right Word. video
Imtiaz Dharker performs and describes her poem The Right Word.
Imtiaz Dharker performs poem Honour Killing. video
Imtiaz Dharker performs and describes her poem Honour Killing.
Imtiaz Dharker performs Blessing. video
Imtiaz Dharker performs and describes her poem Blessing.
Imtiaz Dharker performs This Room. video
Imtiaz Dharker performs and describes her poem This Room.
Daljit Nagra performs his poem Singh Song! video
Daljit Nagra performs his poem Singh Song!, and gives insight into the background of the poem.
Daljit Nagra performs his poem X. video
Daljit Nagra performs his short poem X, and gives insight into the background of the poem.
Daljit Nagra performs In a White Town. video
Daljit Nagra performs his poem In a White Town, and gives insight into the background of the poem.
Daljit Nagra performs Darling and Me. video
Daljit Nagra performs his poem Darling and Me, and gives insight into the background of the poem
