This is called learning a poem ‘off by heart’. It’s a great way to really show you understand the poem and have some fun sharing it with other people! It’s not always easy though.

John Agard’s Checking Out Me History is an example ... and to help show he wants to go beyond what is traditional. The form of the poem in this case helps link to what the poem is about.

The best-written poems capture emotions, experiences, or images using a lyrical language. But what exactly is a poem, how is it different from prose, and how should we approach it?