Galway Poet's Work Surprises Son in Exam Paper
I wrote a poem about my son - years later it appeared on his exam paper
Image: The Bbc
Emily Cullen, a poet from Galway, discovered that a poem she wrote about her son seven years ago appeared on his Junior Cycle English exam. The poem, inspired by a chalk message from her son, brought emotional joy and surprise to both mother and son.
- 01The poem, titled 'Envoi in Chalk', was inspired by a chalk message from Cullen's son, Lee, when he was eight.
- 02Cullen learned about the poem's inclusion in the exam when Lee shared the news after his test.
- 03Lee faced a dilemma on how to reference the poem during the exam, ultimately deciding to write in the third person.
- 04Cullen's poem was first published as 'Poem of the Week' in the Irish Times and later included in her collection 'Conditional Perfect'.
- 05Cullen reflects on the significance of poetry in life, especially during challenging times.
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Emily Cullen, a Galway poet, experienced a remarkable moment when her poem 'Envoi in Chalk', inspired by her son Lee, appeared on his Junior Cycle English exam paper. The poem was created seven years ago after Cullen spotted a chalk message from Lee that read, 'The world is great'. Upon learning of its inclusion in the exam, Cullen was initially in disbelief, feeling as if she was in another dimension. She and Lee shared an emotional hug, celebrating this unique synchronicity. During the exam, Lee opted to respond to the question in the third person, considering the examiner might not believe his personal connection to the poem. Originally published in the Irish Times, the poem holds deeper meaning for Cullen as she navigates life after her mother's passing and cares for her elderly father. Cullen emphasizes the necessity of poetry in life, echoing Audre Lorde's sentiment that 'poetry is not a luxury'.
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The poem's appearance on the exam paper highlights the intersection of personal and educational experiences.
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