The Exact Moment I Became a Poet: quotes

Question 1

was in _____ when Miss __________
________ the duster on the easel’s peg
half ________ by a cloud of _____

Answer 1

was in 1963 when Miss Shannon
rapping the duster on the easel’s peg
half obscured by a cloud of chalk

Question 2

said ______ to your books ____,
or mark my ______, you’ll end up
in the ________ ________.

Answer 2

said Attend to your books girls,
or mark my words, you’ll end up
in the sewing factory.

Question 3

It wasn’t just that _____ of the girls’
_______ worked in the _______ factory
or even that my own _____ did,

Answer 3

It wasn’t just that some of the girls’
mothers worked in the sewing factory
or even that my own aunt did,

Question 4

and many _________, but
that those words ‘____ up’ ________
the _______ of its ________.

Answer 4

and many neighbours, but
that those words ‘end up’ robbed
the labour of its dignity.

Question 5

Not that I ____ it then,
not in those ______ – labour, dignity.
That’s all back ___________,

Answer 5

Not that I knew it then,
not in those words – labour, dignity.
That’s all back construction,

Question 6

making _____; allowing also
the _______ was right
and no one ______ it like I do myself

Answer 6

making sense; allowing also
the teacher was right
and no one knows it like I do myself

Question 7

But: I saw them; ________, _______ and ___________
________ like chickens
on a _________ belt,

Answer 7

But: I saw them; mothers, aunts and neighbours
trussed like chickens
on a conveyor belt,

Question 8

getting _____ up the way my _______
sewed the sage and onion _________
in the ______.

Answer 8

getting sewn up the way my granny
sewed the sage and onion stuffing
in the birds.

Question 9

Words could _____ you,
leave you _______,
your lovely ______ feathers all ______.

Answer 9

Words could pluck you,
leave you naked,
your lovely shiny feathers all gone.