Litmus Year: 2025
‘Us Against the World’ by Katherine, age 15, Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School
It didn’t take me long to realise That I was never on my own. The pain I forever could feel Was felt in every one of our homes. Our eyes stare at the outline Of our grey, gloomy ceilings. ‘The beauty’ so unattainable That our skins come off in peelings. Our hearts together …
‘Three Short Words’ by Lily Clayton, age 15
You have no idea how much I suffer, Trying hard to act tougher, The words that leave your lips, Lashing out at me like whips, The simple power of three short words, Butterflies in my stomach like trapped birds, ‘I hate you’, he says, Making me second guess, Does he care, do I matter? Making …
‘Slain Hearts’ by Kaveesha Liyanage, age15, Year 10, Cottenham Village College
Words are formed when air Travels from the lungs, through the larynx, But to me, words are formed when fear Takes over the broken spirits. Words create bonds when used right, But also breaks them when used wrong, Words and humans always fight, Not knowing that they are tightly clung. Actions speak louder than words, …
‘The Power of Words’ by Yige Li, age 16
Language and power aren’t often associated with each other; however, they actually have more relevance than you think. Ludwig Wittgenstein famously said, “The limits of my language equal the limit of my world.” When you delve into this quote you are finally able to realise that the horizon of your speech is what determines the …
‘Speech is Power’ by Brian Akyena, Year 10, Wallington County Grammar School
“The power to control people or things.” That’s how Oxford defines power. However, I don’t fully agree. Power isn’t always about control. In my opinion, power is more about influence, particularly through something that we all have. To me, it is a gift given to all of us. Speech Every human being has speech, no …