Photo - Abhinaya and Jaya

By Mrs Johns (English Teacher)

What would you like to escape from, or where would you like to escape to? What do you think the world needs to break free from? 

These were the questions that inspired three poets, Ruqayya Farzan, Jaya Ladher, and Abhinaya Sivakumar, from BGS, to write poetry that the Young Writers organisation has chosen to publish in the Poetry Escape - Whispers & Verse Anthology, which goes on sale this month. 

Ruqayya's poem delves into the challenges of growing up in a world dominated by social media and digital interactions, a topic that resonates with many of us. Jaya's poem explores the internal struggles we all face but also the hope that keeps us going. Abhinaya's poem, the title inspired by William Blake's metaphor in his poem ‘London’, creatively mirrors the feeling of breaking free from the 'mind chains' that can hold us back. These poems are not just words on a page but a reflection of our shared experiences. 

At BGS, we value the power of expression and encourage all our students to use their voices, intellect, and actions to create positive change. Poetry is a fantastic way to do this. All three students attend the weekly Monday poetry club, affectionately called 'The Tortured Poets' Department', which is a safe space where we encourage everyone to take creative risks and find their voice. 

The Young Writers, which has been running writing competitions since 1991, is a UK-based organisation dedicated to fostering a love of writing in children and young adults. Being a published poet at any age is a tremendous creative achievement, and students should be extremely proud of their work. 

Ruqayya's poem - Social Media

Jaya's poem - Alone

Abhinaya's poem - Mind Chains