Internationally renowned performance poet Adisa Anderwele used his unique lyrical, political and comedic voice to inspire young King's School authors.
A first generation black Briton who was born in Poplar in East London but brought up in Luton, Adisa has performed at Buckingham Palace, been Hackney Poet Laureate and a winner of 'New Performance Poet of the Year'.
His collections have won international acclaim and he has taken the stage with Eddie Grant among a host of star name musicians and writers.
His work uses his Afro-Caribbean heritage to fuse music, rhythm and powerful imagery to confront racism, exclusion, peer pressure and bullying while retaining a romantic, comic and compassionate outlook.
Performing his poetry at both King's Boy's and Girls' divisions, he told the young writers. "If you want to write, you must read and you must read as widely as possible from different cultures, different time periods and different styles. You must also practice. Good writing cannot just be turned on, it comes through practice and discipline."
Quoting William Blake, Ted Hughes and Benjamin Zephaniah as some of his major influences, he told the pupils "to learn from others but find your own voice."
Rory McCabe, 13, said: "I love Adisa's realism and how his poetry transports you to another world." While Justin Chong, 13, added: "It was incredibly exciting session, not like any English lesson I've ever been to before."
The King's School Head Librarian Lisa Snook, who helped to host the event said: "Adisa is one of Britain's strongest poetical voices and it was a privilege to listen to his world view and see how readily he engaged and enthused our pupils."
Adisa is pictured from left to right with Rory McCabe, Ollie Watson and Justin Chong with Lisa Snook