Litmus Year: 2025
‘Philosophy is Not Dead’ by Meghpori Chakraborty, Year 10, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
Stone walls, etched with carvings, stood tall, thousands of books lining the shelves. Some collected dust, others worn and well thumbed. The library asked for quiet, but silence never came, not with the constant rustle of turning pages, and the murmurs of activity. Among the many stacks were small nooks, tables piled high with spread-open …
‘Listening To Sir Richard’ by Elise McKeown-Webster
Sir Richard Rogers powerful words inspire me, In every design, Redefining sustainability for the people’s futures. Reshaping structures, Improving quality of life for everyone. Critical voices give their say, Having spaces for freedom and futures. Architecture adapting to the needs of humanity. Reaching the sky isn’t necessary, but Directing future generations upwards is key. …
‘Defiance’ by Ema Neville, age 14
Little liars make the world go round Resound, underground, Unrepentant Doleful Sound. So why must my ears deceive me? Fools may find no words to speak, But genius mouths will always reek. Their attacking, snarling lies creep miles and miles and miles. Again, they say, Grins swallow you whole Their lies are nothing But sweet; …
‘Words what a peculiar thing?’ by Jasper Swann
Words, A peculiar thing. Soaring like birds Always moving, never stopping. Always advancing Peacefully flowing down a stream Made to float. Not to sink Created for love. Not hate Meant to heal. Not hurt Words. A hurtful thing. stampeding like herds. Always charging. Never halting. Always victimising Like rocks rolling down a hill Made to …
‘Power of an Archivist’s Breakthrough’ by Sebastian, age 15, Wolverhampton
Heed from calamitous choirs erstwhile known to reign from up above thee! Infinite titles impotently bestowed upon triumphant crowns Mighty prestige granted from blighted love within complacent idols Hail agued tomes – once divine, once tenacious, then decayed; now frail. Shameless fame and fortune thought to thrive best within things …
‘•••• • •-•• •—•’ by J. North, Freman College
•••• • •-•• •—• Yearning. Learning. Screaming. Dreaming. Drowning. Looking for. Dying. Lying fools. Blood dries eventually. Wounds heal slowly. Trauma is different. Scary. Fear. Full. Intense. Sinking. Blinking. Paralysed. Trauma doesn’t stop. It never ends. It’s endless. Relentless. Sharp. Like a knife. Waiting for it. An end. Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye. Forever gone. Goodbye my family. See …
