Your two, blue, clear eyes, Like a summer sky, Glitter as you hurl a table across the room With a desperate sigh, I follow.

I have seen you, Been with you, Slowly turning into someone else.

Will you get your life back, In the lost and found At King’s Cross Station?

Or can you correct yourself.

With Tipp-Ex?

Sophie Gilbert

In my last week as guest poet, I have chosen one of those mysterious poems which seem on the surface to break lots of rules, but by the power of its images persuades, charms and disturbs us. I like the audacious way Sophie Gilbert challenges our usual sweet notion of sky blue eyes - the glittering eyes here are far from sweet - and, of course, the bravado of the Tipp-Ex image at the end. But what I like best is the surprising way in which these bold images combine to make a poem which is very passionate, very sad.

Thank you for sending me so many fine poems by young people this term; the strength and range of work going on is impressive and cheering. I’m glad to report that poetry is alive, well and flourishing in schools.

Sophie Gilbert, aged 14, receives The School Bag, edited by Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes (Faber). Submitted by Mary MacRae of James Allen’s Girls’ School, East Dulwich, London SE22, who receives a set of Poetry Society posters with teacher’s notes. For Poetry Society events, ring 0171 240 2133.

Jo Shapcott is the Poetry Society’s poet on the Internet:

http.wwwPoetrySoc.com