LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• To revise our skills of
breaking down a
poem
• To explore how
personal experiences
shape a poet’s writing
“A CHILD’S SLEEP”
When are lullabies played?
LULLABIES
What are the typical features
of a lullaby? Think about
rhyme scheme, lyrics, etc.
What are lullabies designed to
do?
A CHILD'S SLEEP
This is the title
of Duffy’s
poem.
What does
this suggest?
What ‘child’
is she
referring to?
DUFFY
This is one of
Duffy’s
favourite
poems.
It is about the
Ella – her child.
Ella is now 24,
but this was
written about
her as a baby.
This was written
in 1999.
A CHILD'S SLEEP
I stood at the edge of my child's sleep,
hearing her breathe;
although I could not enter there,
I could not leave.
Her sleep was a small wood,
perfumed with flowers;
dark, peaceful, sacred,
acred in hours.
And she was the spirit that lives
in the heart of such woods;
without time, without history,
wordlessly good.
I spoke her name, a pebble dropped
in the still night,
and saw her stir, both open palms
cupping their soft light;
then went to the window. The greater dark
outside the room
gazed back, maternal, wise,
with its face of moon.
What are our
initial impressions
of this poem?
What is the tone
of the poem?
What images
come to mind as
we read the
poem?
A CHILD'S SLEEP
I stood at the edge of my child's sleep,
hearing her breathe;
although I could not enter there,
I could not leave.
Her sleep was a small wood,
perfumed with flowers;
dark, peaceful, sacred,
acred in hours.
And she was the spirit that lives
in the heart of such woods;
without time, without history,
wordlessly good.
I spoke her name, a pebble dropped
in the still night,
and saw her stir, both open palms
cupping their soft light;
then went to the window. The greater dark
outside the room
gazed back, maternal, wise,
with its face of moon.
What is the rhyme
scheme?
What is the
structure?
What imagery
can we find in this
poem?
A CHILD'S SLEEP
I stood at the edge of my child's sleep,
hearing her breathe;
although I could not enter there,
I could not leave.
Her sleep was a small wood,
perfumed with flowers;
dark, peaceful, sacred,
acred in hours.
And she was the spirit that lives
in the heart of such woods;
without time, without history,
wordlessly good.
I spoke her name, a pebble dropped
in the still night,
and saw her stir, both open palms
cupping their soft light;
then went to the window. The greater dark
outside the room
gazed back, maternal, wise,
with its face of moon.
Light/dark
imagery?
Sibilance?
Gentle & magical
ideas?
Natural imagery?
Duffy’s poem portrays maternal love.
Duffy’s poem explores maternal fear.
AGREE/DISAGREE/NOT
SURE
Duffy uses natural imagery to explore
the naturally loving side of parenthood.
Duffy suggests that she is enchanted by
her daughter.
Duffy’s poem explores the concept of
innocence.
PLENARY
What are your
thoughts on
this poem?
Post your
answers on the
Teams chat