1. Activity A Activity B Activity C Activity D Activity E Activity F
Welsh writing in English
Daylight Robbery
– by Paul Henry –
Choose a task
Choose a task based on the poem.
Activity A
Activity B
Activity C
Activity D
Activity E
Activity F
Activity G
Activity H

2. Welsh writing in English Daylight Robbery Activity A
– by Paul Henry –
Activity A
Why does the poet choose the image of robbery in the poem? Starting with the poem’s title, identify any words or phrases associated with the idea of robbery or crime.
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And when the crime’s done,
when the sun lies in its ashes,
a new child rises
out of the blond, unswept curls,
the suddenly serious chair
that last year was a roundabout.
Silent as cut hair falling
and elevated by cushions
in the barber’s rotating chair
this seven-year-old begins to see
a different boy in the mirror,
glances up, suspiciously,
like a painter checking for symmetry.
The scissors round a bend
behind a blushing ear.
All the way back to the car
a stranger picks himself out
in a glass-veiled identity parade.
Turning a corner
his hand slips from mine
like a final, forgotten strand
snipped from its lock.
Consider the words shaded in yellow. Click to show shading.
What effect is created by each mention of the crime/robbery image?
What other possible references can you find in the poem?
What is your initial response to why the poet has chosen this image?

3. Welsh writing in English Daylight Robbery Activity B
– by Paul Henry –
Activity B
What ‘crime’ is being committed? Who is the ‘criminal’ and who is the ‘victim’?
Menu
Silent as cut hair falling
and elevated by cushions
in the barber’s rotating chair
this seven-year-old begins to see
a different boy in the mirror,
glances up, suspiciously,
like a painter checking for symmetry.
The scissors round a bend
behind a blushing ear.
And when the crime’s done,
when the sun lies in its ashes,
a new child rises
out of the blond, unswept curls,
the suddenly serious chair
that last year was a roundabout.
All the way back to the car
a stranger picks himself out
in a glass-veiled identity parade.
Turning a corner
his hand slips from mine
like a final, forgotten strand
snipped from its lock.
What has been ‘stolen’ from whom?
What evidence can you find for your views?
Consider other possible interpretations of who the victim and criminal are, and what the crime could be.

4. Welsh writing in English Daylight Robbery Activity C
– by Paul Henry –
Activity C
What are the two similes used in this poem?
Menu
Silent as cut hair falling
and elevated by cushions
in the barber’s rotating chair
this seven-year-old begins to see
a different boy in the mirror,
glances up, suspiciously,
like a painter checking for symmetry.
The scissors round a bend
behind a blushing ear.
And when the crime’s done,
when the sun lies in its ashes,
a new child rises
out of the blond, unswept curls,
the suddenly serious chair
that last year was a roundabout.
All the way back to the car
a stranger picks himself out
in a glass-veiled identity parade.
Turning a corner
his hand slips from mine
like a final, forgotten strand
snipped from its lock.
Simile 1 Click to show shading.
Simile 2 Click to show shading.
What is being compared with what in each simile?
What effects are created?
Read the second simile aloud. What do you notice about the sound of the line?

5. Welsh writing in English Daylight Robbery Activity D
– by Paul Henry –
Activity D
Which words/phrases imply this idea of destruction?
Which words/phrases suggest the idea of renewal or recreation?
Menu
Silent as cut hair falling
and elevated by cushions
in the barber’s rotating chair
this seven-year-old begins to see
a different boy in the mirror,
glances up, suspiciously,
like a painter checking for symmetry.
The scissors round a bend
behind a blushing ear.
And when the crime’s done,
when the sun lies in its ashes,
a new child rises
out of the blond, unswept curls,
the suddenly serious chair
that last year was a roundabout.
All the way back to the car
a stranger picks himself out
in a glass-veiled identity parade.
Turning a corner
his hand slips from mine
like a final, forgotten strand
snipped from its lock.
Consider the words shaded in yellow. Click to show shading.
The image of the phoenix is evoked in these lines. The phoenix is a mythological bird, associated with the sun, which obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its former self. How does this affect your understanding of these lines?

6. Welsh writing in English Daylight Robbery Activity E
– by Paul Henry –
Activity E
Identify the words/phrases in the first two stanzas which emphasise how young the boy is.
Menu
Silent as cut hair falling
and elevated by cushions
in the barber’s rotating chair
this seven-year-old begins to see
a different boy in the mirror,
glances up, suspiciously,
like a painter checking for symmetry.
The scissors round a bend
behind a blushing ear.
And when the crime’s done,
when the sun lies in its ashes,
a new child rises
out of the blond, unswept curls,
the suddenly serious chair
that last year was a roundabout.
Consider the words shaded in yellow. Click to show shading.
What picture do you get of the boy as he gets his hair cut?
Why does the poet seem to highlight how young he is?
Does this happen all through the poem?

7. Welsh writing in English Daylight Robbery Activity F
– by Paul Henry –
Activity F
How is the change in the boy shown in the last two stanzas?
What does the poet feel about this change?
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Why is the last stanza particularly significant for the boy and his father?
All the way back to the car
a stranger picks himself out
in a glass-veiled identity parade.
Turning a corner
his hand slips from mine
like a final, forgotten strand
snipped from its lock.

8. Welsh writing in English Daylight Robbery Activity G
– by Paul Henry –
Activity G
Which of the following words best describes the attitude of the poet?
Does your choice change in different parts of the poem?
Menu
Silent as cut hair falling
and elevated by cushions
in the barber’s rotating chair
this seven-year-old begins to see
a different boy in the mirror,
glances up, suspiciously,
like a painter checking for symmetry.
The scissors round a bend
behind a blushing ear.
And when the crime’s done,
when the sun lies in its ashes,
a new child rises
out of the blond, unswept curls,
the suddenly serious chair
that last year was a roundabout.
All the way back to the car
a stranger picks himself out
in a glass-veiled identity parade.
Turning a corner
his hand slips from mine
like a final, forgotten strand
snipped from its lock.
proud regretful amused bitter fearful contented

9. Welsh writing in English Daylight Robbery Activity H
– by Paul Henry –
Activity H
Menu
The tone or mood of the poem changes as the poet reflects his own feelings about what he describes in it. Track the changes in tone or mood as the poem progresses. What creates these changes? Which words and phrases are important in creating each mood?
Silent as cut hair falling
and elevated by cushions
in the barber’s rotating chair
this seven-year-old begins to see
a different boy in the mirror,
glances up, suspiciously,
like a painter checking for symmetry.
The scissors round a bend
behind a blushing ear.
And when the crime’s done,
when the sun lies in its ashes,
a new child rises
out of the blond, unswept curls,
the suddenly serious chair
that last year was a roundabout.
All the way back to the car
a stranger picks himself out
in a glass-veiled identity parade.
Turning a corner
his hand slips from mine
like a final, forgotten strand
snipped from its lock.