Poems to share
Bookworm
by Michael Alexander (Translator)
A worm ate words. I thought that wonderfully
Strange – a miracle – when they told me a crawling
Insect had swallowed noble songs,
A night-time thief had stolen writing
So famous, so weighty. But the bug was foolish
Still, thought its belly was full of thought.
(10th Century – translated from Old English by Michael Alexander)

Michael Alexander (Translator)
National Poetry Day Ambassador Matt Goodfellow says..."I’ve loved this poem for many years: messages in the poem - and the belly of the worm!"
Matthew Goodfellow is a poet and primary school teacher from Manchester. His poems have been published in magazines and anthologies worldwide. Matt’s high-energy performances and workshops have delighted, excited and enthused thousands of children (and adults!) in schools, libraries and bookshops across the UK.