AN ACTRESS and English tutor, and now published poet, says everyone has a “box of frogs” inside them that should be celebrated.

Esme Bates, from Didcot, has released her first anthology of poems, Poetry-Speaking Vol.1, meant for reading aloud by performers of all ages. She hopes it will reach shelves nationwide.

Many of the pieces explore the experience of being a teenager and are influenced by Ms Bates’ interaction with children, some with disabilities.

Ms Bates, who has multiple sclerosis herself, said: “I moved to Oxfordshire a few years ago. It was a time of reflection – I’m 40 this year. I have mobility issues from MS. When you are sitting down a lot it gives you more time to go through your memories.

“Some are witty and hopefully make people laugh, and others are more thoughtful.

“Poetry throws out the rules of prose and it’s incredibly freeing. Literature is something to be shared and enjoyed.”

Ms Bates attended Chiltern Edge School in Sonning Common and studied performing arts at City of Oxford College, going on to complete a degree in drama and education at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

Initially she worked as a tour guide at the BBC in London.

She then worked at several schools, directing productions and helping students prepare for exams at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

She also provided one-to-one support for special needs students, and said the process was a humbling one: “When I was at school I was quite outgoing. I was Head Girl and always in Set One.

“Having a disability myself has developed my empathy. We’re all different.

"Everyone has a box of frogs, whether it’s physical or mental.”

Every poem in the collection tells a story. Dyslexic Hero tries to capture the experience of a young student Ms Bates knew, who fought the condition while preparing for a public speaking exam. Another is about a young person with ADHD.

The Magic Cape recalls her meeting with an astronaut during a lecture at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, where she realised damage to bone density and muscle suffered by astronauts was similar to the symptoms of MS. Ms Bates was diagnosed with the neurological condition about eight years ago.

The 39-year-old said: “The disabled voice is the most vulnerable voice. It’s very easy to push under the carpet. More needs to be put into enabling and rehabilitation.”

But there is a great deal of joy in Ms Bates’ collection. One of the longer pieces, The Great Unwashed, is based on Reading Festival.

She said: “It’s a celebration of being a teenager, when you are 16 or 17 and have your whole life ahead of you.”

Contributors are being sought for the second edition of Poetry-Speaking, which will feature artwork and illustrations related to the poems submitted.

People using the poems for performance are also encouraged to film themselves and put the footage on YouTube.

In the coming weeks Ms Bates, who lives with partner Mark McCloud, 45, is keen to get the word out about her book. On Tuesday, April 28, Ms Bates is speaking on BBC radio and has a 20-minute slot at the Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, next month.

She said: “I would love everyone to get involved. We are all human and poetry should be celebrated as a community.”

To purchase Poetry-Speaking Vol.1 visit amazon.co.uk and for more information or to submit artwork, call Esme Bates on 01235 201517.