What is happening?

The crowd filling Manchester's Albert Square stood in silence. It was 23 May 2017, the day after the Manchester Arena bombingIn 2017, a bomb was set off in Manchester Arena at the end of an Ariana Grande concert. 23 people died and more than 1,000 were injured., and people had gathered.They listened as Tony Walsh started to read a poem.

"This is the place," he began, "In the North West of England... we make you feel welcome and we make summat happen, and we can't seem to help it..."

When he had finished, the onlookers burst into wild applause.

This is a boom time for poets, with some of them earning more than ever before.

Here are some reasons why people value poetry:

Memory magic Because poetry is designed to be memorable, it is something you can carry in your head if you are bored or unhappy.

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Sealing feelings Whatever you feel, think or wonder about, poetry says it in a beautiful way.

Showing sadness Poems show us that other people have felt the same as we do. 

Community unity Poetry can bring people together, as it did in Manchester.

Yes! Poetry is the most intense of all art forms and captures what life is really about. Nothing else can remind us so effectively what it is to be human.  

No! The things that make the world go round are power, politics and money. Poetry is either an escape or a luxurySomething that makes your life very comfortable or pleasant. for people who do not want to get involved in the nitty gritty of real life.