Poetry Book Society

Back in March 2010 we had the idea of producing a poetry anthology to raise money for the BBC Children in Need Appeal. We expected it would be a small-scale, stapled pamphlet with contributions drawn mainly from our local poetry networks in Kent. Then, like a well-nurtured child, the project grew and grew; and like proud parents we found ourselves standing on the sidelines, amazed at what we had set in motion, thrilled but somewhat bemused. Billy Collins in his poem ‘Monday' describes poets sitting at their desks waiting for distraction as they watch the world go by. And indeed we were intrigued to find that when we emailed poets like Patience Agbabi, Vicki Feaver, Mimi Khalvati, Esther Morgan, Ruth Padel, Catherine Smith or George Szirtes to beg for a contribution many of them got back to us within moments promising not only a poem of their own but often offering to pass on the call for submissions to friends and colleagues. Thanks to their generosity, to the support of our local writing circles and to the global reach of the internet, we soon had over 400 poems from Europe, the US and Australia as well as from distant parts of the UK to choose from.

Selecting the final 131 poems was not easy. In the end, we chose the poems that spoke to us, that made us see the world of childhood and our own histories as children and parents in a different light, as well as those that drew attention to injustices and triumphs outside our own experience. We've both read the anthology through many times, and are still impressed by the way these poems evoke the joy and misery, physical poverty and emotional richness, fun and frustration, powerlessness and resilience that make up young people's lives.

Did I Tell You? is the first book from WordAid, a collective set up with writers Patricia Debney, Jo Field and Jen Kahawatte to raise money for charity through literature-based projects. Spring 2011 should see the launch of Jo Field's solo collection on the theme of ageing in aid of a related charity and an anthology of prose poems edited by Patricia Debney and Jen Kahawatte in aid of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF).

So far we have raised over £2500 and we are hoping for even more. Among the many messages from contributors were the following words from Andrew Motion: ‘This anthology is full of poems that are their own reward - but it also confirms the role that poetry can play in doing good in the world. Buy it!'

Did I Tell You?... Please continue to spread the word to enable us to change children's lives for the better.



Nicky Gould's poetry has appeared in print and online in magazines and anthologies including Missed Hearbeats (Stubborn Mule Orchestra, 2010), a joint collection with Marilyn Donovan and Louise McCudden. She works as a Youth Participation Officer, helping young people make a difference to their local communities. She lives near the sea in Whitstable, where she walks on the beach every day.

Vicky Wilson was Canterbury Poet of the Year 2007-2008 and is currently a member of the Canterbury Laureate Squad, working with Patience Agbabi to inspire the district's writers. Her poetry has featured in her collection Line Dancing and in several magazines and anthologies. She works as an educator, editor and journalist and her book London's Houses is due out from Metro Publications in Spring 2011.


Note: A minimum of £4 from the sale of this book will benefit The BBC Children in Need Appeal, a company limited by guarantee (charity number 802052 in England & Wales and SC039557 in Scotland)