Oh no! He taught me, fifty years ago. He wore a shirt like a tablecloth and often read us Winnie the Pooh. He was one of the best teachers if a little unorthodox ... ?
Poetry can bring a lot of solace in times of uncertainty. Reading the right poem at the right time can feel like someone holding your hand and saying 'You are not on your own - I know just how you feel'.
The Irish poet Derek Mahon has died today. I’m not going to pretend I knew his work at all - but like many people I came across his poem “Everything is going to be alright” at the beginning of lockdown in the Spring.