Carol Ann Duffy can be accredited with writing the poem which was the first poem I felt I truly connected with and understood, ‘Havisham’, from that and her ‘Stealing’, she became the poet I turned to when at 14 I wanted to learn more about modern poetics. ‘Feminine Gospels’ and ‘The World’s Wife’ were there for me in all of my teenage angst, and alongside finding Plath and discovering confessional poetry, Duffy was vital towards helping me to realise that poetry is fundamentally a great way to channel and use one’s emotions for something good. Later at 15, I read ‘Rapture’, which allowed me to recognise the sapphic sentiments I was feeling. All in all, Duffy has been an incredibly significant poet within my life, and getting to reread and revisit some of my old favourites, like ‘Warming Her Pearls’ and ‘The Laughter of Stafford Girls High’ was so enjoyable and nostalgic. It brought me back to myself and allowed me to reflect upon how I have grown as a person since I first read Duffy in how these poems have changed in my perception too. I will be forever grateful to have existed in a world where her poetry found me.