2022 Poetry Competition prizewinning poems

Year 3
First
.

Earth  by Eva Kapadia

The glistening waterfall

Splashing against the hard, bumpy rocks

Showering rain tumbling

Into the crystal clear oceans

Multi-coloured fish frantically swimming

In their ocean home

Dolphins and whales

Wailing in the waters

Green luscious trees

Swaying in the fresh air

Exotic plants swinging

Like a rocking chair

Birds flying from there to there

Jaguars pouncing

Monkeys bouncing

Fields spreading out across the land

The sea splashing against golden sand

Building blocks

Made of rocks

Baby birds will start to coo

If you help the world,

The world will help you.
.

Year 3 Second
.

Fluffy the Puppy by Ottilie Fletcher

Fluffy the puppy is cute and small,

She likes to chew a tennis ball.

She wags her tail to and fro,

Watch out every squirrel, magpie and crow!

Crispy crunchy cereal drops down onto the ground,

But then you hear something familiar,

A gulping, soggy, sound.

When Fluffy barks at a squirrel,

We get very, very mad,

We’re about to tell her off,

But she looks with eyes so sad.
.

Year 3 Third
.

Earth by Dalia Stern

The simmering sun

Swimming in the solar system

The sun is as hot

As a peppered curry.

It slowly turns in the milky way.

If I was allowed,

I would run around

The whole world.

Think about the things

That the earth has grown

Save the Earth

Because its more

Than you own.
.

Year 3 Commendation
.

The World by Madison Lily Barker

The seeds are growing

The rain is falling

The bells are ringing

The world is a magical place

There is far more to see than you discover like flowers, meadows and food

Oak tree ashes beech pine blossom

Family most important
.

Year 3 Commendation
.

Our Awesome Queen by Sreya Koka

Wow 70 years you’ve been on the throne

That’s so long my head could explode!

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication

You are the heart of our nation.

This year we celebrate your platinum jubilee

With parties and picnics and lots of cups of tea.

So all that there is left to say is…

Hip Hip Hooray!!!

.

Year 4
First
.

A Grass Snake by Ruby Bannerman

Its hunger is mainly focused

on scaly newts and slimy frogs,

Its inky-black, forked tongue

vibrates in and out

Like fire crackling.

The snake watches its prey

like a hawk

As it slivers

along the leafy floor,

It swallows its prey whole

and its unfortunate supper

glides down.
.

Year 4 First
.

The Grass Snake by Francesca Warne

In the wetlands

at a watery place

lay a shimmering

brown green

curly stick,

sleeping in the waving reeds

dreaming and wishing.

Thunder growled.

Others stirred and crept.

Finally waking

to the light of a rainbow

the little scaly snake

flips over,

plays dead.

Out of the shadows

hops a shiny brown

growly, croaking toad.

Confused, perplexed

the tiny snake jumps

curls back

and one, two, three

eats the toad

whole.
.

Year 4  Joint Second
.

The Leopard by Thea Scurr

One dark-spotted back

Two black-pearl eyes

Four sharp claws

Stalking, pouncing, devouring

Speckled and sly

As silent as a snake

The queen of the savannah
.

Year 4  Joint Second
.

Wolves by Tilly McCaw

As snow falls like shattered glass

A lonely song

comes from the soft, white-blanketed grass,

Thickly covered fur to keep them warm

from the cold

and deep, dark storm.

These creatures are the wolves, all

Standing tall

As we sleep,

They keep

our dreams in check.
.

Year 4 Third
.

The Market by Ahmed Yahie

I went with my brother to the market and got food,

I want this I said, he said No and we got into a feud,

“You can’t get this, it’s unhealthy dude”,

I became angry and said he was rude,

He said I was worse than anything viewed,

I became sad and got a mood,

He became guilty and gave me a treat,

I tasted it and it was very sweet,

I went with my brother to the market and got food,

I want this I said, he said No and we got into a feud,

I hugged my brother and said he was nice,

“no” he said I am as cool as ice,

I looked around one two and thrice,

I saw the sweet section it was paradise,

I went outside and looked for pizza,

I found it and it was half price.
.

Year 4 Commendation
.

There is No Light Without the Dark by Zoe Elizabeth Phillips

There is no light without the dark.

Where the wind whistles

and where the sun always shines

is my imagination.

There is no fire without the spark 

so I have to find it.

I am ready to take anything on

There is no light without the dark.
.

Year 4  Commendation
.

Daydream by Milo Pollard

I run into the darkest wood

A sword clutched in my hand.

I clamber up the tallest tree

And proudly there I stand.

I jump onto my noble steed

And cry my mighty cry.

I run up to the sleeping beast

Amd stab it in the eye.

It rears upon its two back legs

And breathes a mighty blaze.

I dodge it, stab it once again,

And send it to a craze.

Fear’s reflected in my eyes

But courage had me led.

I jump onto the horror’s back

And I chop off his-

        WAKE UP!!!!
.

Year 4  Commendation
.

Dementors by Michael Regan

Ghostly, pale white skin

Sharp, dagger-like claws,

That easily rip

Through flesh.

Their pitch black cloak haunts,

An eerie black hole,

Hovering above

Their prey.

One kiss cuts and kills,

Body from the soul,

Their eyes are void of

LOVE

Expecto Patronum

Repel these Dementors
.

Year 5 First
.

Death of a Loved One by Teddy Abell

The boy used to play by the riverbed,

But that was long before now.

His body gone, his coffin laid with lead,

And yet, I wonder, how?

Why is mankind so evil and cursed?

Why is life taken, so quick?

In the funeral crows, I stared at the hearse,

Thinking of the coffin lid: click.

I loved him like a mother, for his was deceased,

A poor hapless boy, in fear.

When I saw his drowned body, torn up and creased,

The grief was so strong, so clear.

Two years passed, and still

I feel a love, no one can fill.
.

Year 5 Second
.

The Other Side of the Classroom by Safa Mariam Vohra

Last night I saw the classroom snoring,

Ipad cases puffed life into the dead devices,

While the mice squeak their sad little snores.

On the dang of twelve, I saw the classroom living,

Dusty dots leaped off display boards,

While the graceful globe pirouetted in a turquoise dress,

Feeling on top of the world!

At the break of dawn I saw the classroom boasting,

The dictionary gloated about their expansive vocabulary,

While the hummingbird buzzed about their long line of table points.

When the school gates unlocked I saw the classroom waiting,

Pencils poised ready for action,

Charis tapped their feet impatiently,

While the classroom clock went,

‘Tick, tock, tick, tock,’

As the children stamped down the corridor I heard the classroom giggling,

The Angle Men clapped their hands in excitement,

While the cupboards chatted noisily,

And suddenly the door burst open…
.

Year 5 Third
.

The Ocean by Ana McMillan

The ocean’s eyes are lights in the deep end

Dying to see the light

Swaying back to the darkness

The ocean’s hair is playful, cheery dolphins

Hanging on to life

Dancing in the rustling coral

The ocean’s mouth is a hazardous, toxic black hole

Deadly for all,

Those who go in, never come out.

The ocean’s voice is brilliant, glistening bubbles,

Bursting to speak.

So much to share, no one toshare with.

The ocean’s memories are wondrous waves,

Shattering to make broken memories

Waiting for a better life.
.

Year 5 Commendation
.

The Easter Quest by Belle Rose Burchell

There once was a girl with golden hair

With emerald eyes and skin that was fair

She was walking around the park with glee

Gazing in amazement at the pastel pink blossom tree.

Meandering through the placid park, she saw the daffodils which had bloomed overnight

As she looked around, she saw vibrant orange, sunshine yellow and white

In a sea of velvety flowers, she trailed her hand

Hearing a rustle in the bushes, she sees a furry head with a black band.

Bumbling out of his leafy lair

The shocked girl could not help but stare

“How do you do?” handsome Mr Badger said

‘Very well thank you,” replied the girl affectionately stroking his glossy head.

Handsome Mr Badger shared news of his golden easter egg quest

But to complete it he needed a friend who was the best

All afternoon they gambled and frolicked searching for this wondrous treasure

This was the greatest fun by any measure.

Looking shy and bashful, handsome Mr Badger confessed “The quest was a fake.”

The surprised girl replied “Why, oh why, for goodness sake?”

I was lonely and needed a friend who was the best,” Mr Badger admitted

“So I created an imaginary test.  You passed with flying colours, you are the best, better than all the rest.”
.

Year 6
First
.

Where’s My Dad? Uh  by Celeste Whiting

Where’s my dad?

He’s up a tree!

He’s up a tree?

Where else would he be?

Down here with me.

No way, no way, that would be silly.

Where’s my dad?

He’s in the fridge!

He’s in the fridge?

Yes, playing bridge.

Won’t he get cold and turn to mould?

No way, no way, what have you been told?

Where’s my dad?

He’s on a raft!

On a raft?

How very daft.

Won’t he drift to sea and get lonely?

I wish I wish he was home here with me.

Where’s my dad?

He’s wrestling bears!

Wrestling bears?

Yes up the stairs.

Isn’t he scared?

He would wrestle anything anywhere.

Where’s my dad?

He’s meeting the Queen!

Meeting the Queen?

Yes, on Turnham Green

Come on, come on!

It’s always been his dream.

Where’s my dad?

I don’t know…….

Why do you ask?

Ok, ok…

He’s at the North Pole.
.

Year 6 Second
.

Hopeful Heart by Imogen Milns

If you’re ever feeling dull, dreary, or dismal, take my advice.

On a drizzly day,

When the raindrops fall like tears out of a dark swirling cloud,

Washing away your fears.

Take a seat,

with a snuggly blanket draped round your shoulders and relax,

The droplets on the window falling every so gracefully outside.

A hot chocolate, with syrupy, sweet marshmallows,

Bobbing merrily like floaties in a glistening pool.

And the fluffy-puffy swirl of whipped cream and a cherry on top!

The sweetness like a medicine to feel much better.

Finally the fire, flickering flames, merry sparks like burning stars.

Sizzle, crack and pop! It dances in the daylight and spies at night.  A red

and orange and vibrant yellow, standing from the crowd.

A friendly beast, red hot, fierce and defence, fighting off your worries.

This would be my paradise, so effective, it’s like a tide coming in,

collecting your worries, going out, scraping the sand with its wet fingers,

and back in, replaced with new hope, new day and a new ending.

And this paradise, I will keep forever, not a large but small and worthy

gift of love, tucked away in my mind.

And stored safely in my beating, loving and now…

Hopeful Heart!
.

Year 6 Third
.

The Eagle by Alissa Blackham

Soaring up into the deep, deep blue

The sky king climbs further.

His feathers rustle like leaves on a summer evening.

He tilts his head.

Amber-orange eyes flashing.

His mighty wings beat,

Propelling him into the melting orb on the horizon.

He acts like gravity is optional.

He looks like a monarch overseeing his kingdom.

He twists and turns, delicately,

Like he does not want to hinder the peacefulness of dusk.

He did not ruin it.

The men did.

6 men with guns and empty bottles.

Intent on destroying the quiet. They fire.

The sky-skimmer dodges.

He tumbles.

He trys to climb the sky, again,

He drops.

I see blood. He caws for the very last time.

He’d been hit.

In the head.

Sky-General killed in action.
.

Year 6 Third
.

The Truth by Siddharth Josyula

Should I lie to my mother?

To get caught, what a bother!

Suffering so much woe.

I feel like Pinnochio.

To lie is to survive,

Helps me get through alive.

But she will find out (as mums often will)

I feel insecure – I’m very worried still!

With myself, I’m heavily at war,

To tell a lie and cover it up, with more!

Or to tell the truth and face the hard storm,

In the end I will end up torn.

But the truth will set me free,

And tomorrow I’ll jump with glee.

But I’ll face the consequences today,

I’ll have to face them anyway.

So it has come to this, tell the truth or a lie,

I’ll soon have a decision finalised.

I’ve done lots of thinking. I’ve thought it through and through.

Eventually, I’ll tell her what’s true.

Because I love my mother, as most of us do.

I think she deserves the absolute truth.

Since when I am open, a river am I,

Though blocked by a dam, when I lie.
.

Year 6 Commendation
.

Eiffel Tower by Alex Mertikian

As I enter the base,

The noise overtakes me.

A deafening sound,

And above, a pyramid of metal.

Strong and unbreakable.

Queues stretched out for miles,

And children glowing with smiles.

I wait in line waiting, waiting, waiting.

Finally, the front of the line,excited by what comes next.

As I race up the spiral,

My heart pounds faster with every step.

I reach higher and higher,

And close and closer to the top.

I arrive to a stillness, a magical view.

I watch every movement, every second.

This magnificent sight

Makes me grateful for all I see.

At this height,

No worries can ever reach me.
.

Year 6 Commendation
.

The World by Nell Skipper

The green grass

The sweet smell of roses

The blue, cloudless sky

The sun shining on paradise around you

The salty sea

The crash of the blue mass on the rocks

The sand in between your toes

The birds flying above you

The wet dew in the early morning breeze

This is our home.
.

Year 7
First
.

Starry Night (inspired by Van Gogh painting) by Sophie Pallister

How opalescent, the heavenly sky, of deep dusk, emerged above.

Waving and weaving of azure twilight shadows of shade

Stained glass, almost watery even, dapple across, skimming the sky with

Stars of the bright

Up high in the night, the hills in the heath, indigo dyed,

With the grass that trickles and dances

In the Gale.

Along the cots and cottages with the broad, bulky

Walls of stone

Their broad-brimmed straw hats, dark indigo

Upon the housings

Sat through the nightly gaze

The lustre of the moon that bloomed between the gaping clouds, dove-grey.

The church being covered with merling white

Of radiant splendour

Donged the bronze bells, its rim flared and thickened

Hanging downwards of the silvering turret

Its sound so deep beyond a wind chime

Ambushing the nervous hearted

That strode on the cobblestones to this time of day.

And, that bush.

Twice five times gangling

Split from the shell of the ground

To grow a monstrous shape

Of horns, reaching, digging its mukery claws into the cloud

Wanting to reach the edge of the platform

Hell.
.

Year 7 First
.

2050 by Romy Sethna

I awoke, spluttering in a pool of sweat.

The rusty smell of fresh smoke and dust immediately greeted my lungs

as I fought breathlessly to keep the bad air out.

Fierce sirens repeatedly warned those asleep

to clamber out of bed and seek refuge from the inevitable raid

that would surely follow in the next few moments.

I silently crept out the doorway to see many others, making their way

calmly into a crowded bunker located in the middle of the town square.

Hushed mothers covered their sleepy children’s ears although

there seemed to be not a tear in a child’s eye.

To them, this was all just a game.

I scurried across the square, seeking cover from the thick trees

that stretched toward the sky.

As I huddled inside the hot room,

I overheard a crooked, fat man near the entrance of the bunker quietly whisper to another

“a few more and then shut the door. These walls might just burst”

a strange sort of panic and relief washed over me as I heard this.

All of a sudden, as if on cue,

a dense iron bomb fell from the heavens,

immediately exploding into a hellish ball of fire.

“Shut it now”.
.

Year 7 Second
.

Travelling in Circles by Jet Pareira-Jenks

I sit, at dawn

Watching the sun rise

Earth wheeling round the universe’s yolk.

            I crouch at night

            watching the moon fatten

circling our planet

and the sky’s scorching sphere.

I stand tall, at the seas edge

watching the moon work its power

on the oceans of the world,

drawing the waters in and out in a cycle of time.

            I marvel, as I pen these words

            to see the complex beauty of nature

            and how far Earth has evolved

            just by travelling in circles.
.

Year 7 Second
.

Fighting for Ukraine  by Shanay Nijjar

Heart pounding, sweat dripping, tension rising.

Pernicious explosions over innocent victims.

Saviours fighting heroically for justice.

Less than a moment to stash away years of memories.

Clutch the suitcase and hurry for precious time is ticking.

Necessities over satisfaction.

I distinguish from my eyes a small furry bear.

Hold back a river of tears, he’s fighting, fighting for Ukraine.

Suddenly a deafening bomb explodes one after the other,

Screams of mercy and despair.

The house awakens from its slumber shaking vigorously.

Run…run for your life.

I look upon the wall and I see a photo of him.

Hold back a river of tears, he’s fighting, fighting for Ukraine.

My heart pounds as loud as a drum,

I’m drowning in my mind, I’m petrified and I go to scream…

Everything freezes, time stops, my heart’s still going,

I feel faint, dizzy, lifeless.

Another bomb closer than ever,

I dart out the back door panicking and run for my life.

I’m trying to process the information…

My mind turns to photo in my room the photo I left behind,

I hold back a river of tears, he’s fighting, fighting for Ukraine.
.

Year 7 Third
.

Story of Cinderella by Aliyah Khan

It doesn’t make sense for a princess to be so grim

A princess is always known to be humble and fair

But if all this was not even true?

What if this princess was not “good” at all?

What if the story was not a happy ever after?

What if there was no fairy godmother or carriage?

What if it was only a stolen car?

What if there was no spell “ending at midnight”?

What if the step sister said the dress needed to be returned before 12?

What if she said soon her boss would be back?

And what if the glass slipper was just a clue?

A trail for the prince to follow her?

Another encounter for the princess and the prince?

So maybe the truth is that Cinderella was never good…

That it was all a lie, but this is the truth.

Signed, Anastasia Tremaine
.

Year 7 Commendation
.

2050 by Sara Felices

Morning revs and whirs awaken me as my drooping eyes adjust to the piercing white light

Soaring vehicles swerve violently on crystal roads enlightening the soft pavement below

The Fantasy of Fakes.

Gentle orange paints my eyelids blinding them making me arise, the returning of the heat.

Crispy leaves lay scattered on parched patches of dead earth disguising with the concrete

A Disgusting Death.

Routines and reminders race to my aid emerging everywhere as blue pixelated messages

The cacophony of city life pricks my senses as the wavy aroma of green glides from beyond

The Fragrance of Fantasy.

The rusting sink spits droplets of water that do not quench my thirst, a betrayal of death

Roasting glass makes warm tingles stretch across my skin as sorrow sums up the view

The Determination of the Drought.

Ragged old worn paper lies silently on the rickety table as my pointless pencil writes

Writes about the walls, the walls that see death, about the life, the life with no light

A Poem of Pain.

Sun soaring skyscrapers gaze at me as I violently swerve into my dull office of labour

Screens of sapphire enlighten the disgruntled faces of early morning’s victims

The Fuel of the Forenoon.

Ancient words and letters join me from elderly novels writing new young sprouting phrases

Wind breathes sweet dust off a dried up car, shards of glossy glass tinkles from within

The Tinkle of Tears.

A dark sheet covers the lively city life as I return home in the silent spotlight of the moon

Electric engines ping and whir as my hair whips frantically in the solitary night air

The Song of the Stars.

Aches and throbs flow up and down my hand as my pen falls from my blistered fingertips

A slit of white shines from the ebony canvas above glowing on my window blinding my gaze

A Gaze of Grief.

Homely holograms dash to me as I am greeted with familiar bright blue making me squint

My eyebags get heavier blurring the sapphire light as every tread deafens the sweet silence

The Tranquility of Twenty Fifty.

My vision flows past the words like a restless river, imagining life in the fantasy of the future

Sorrow drips down my face smudging my written desire of tomorrow, the tranquillity of tomorrow

The Untruthful Tranquillity of Twenty Fifty.
.

Year 7 Commendation
.

70 Years by Jai Raghau Koka

70 years on the throne,

You have made England a nice safe home

You have accomplished so much in 70 years,

We all salute you and say cheers!

Since 1952 you have won the nation’s heart.

With you was Prince Phillip, you shall never be apart.

You have achieved 4 Jubilees in your reign,

During this time there has been pleasure and pain.

We thank you for what you have done,

And we cannot wait for what will come.

You have done so much for this amazing country,

It is impossible to say how grateful we are.

So thank you for everything you have done for us.
.

Year 7 Commendation
.

Me  by Joylyn Vaz

Movie-watcher.

Pudding-eater.

Alarm-stopper.

Piano-hater.

Singing-lover.

Game-player.
.

Year 7 Commendation
.

Emotions by Sophie Dolan

Anxiety,

My heart begins to pound,

My lings begin to shrink,

My head begins to spin,

And my palms begin to sweat,

I feel as if I’ve been dunked under cold water,

Sound is muffled,

There is darkness all around me,

No one can save me now.

Calm,

Calmness after the storm,

When the howling winds fade to a soft whisper,

When the crashing waves begin to slow,

Into a peaceful ebb and a calming flow,

I’m floating away.

Jealousy,

A cold mirror of comparison,

That shrinks down your achievements,

And magnifies others’ greatness,

It plants a seed of hate in your mind,

And drags you down each day,

Jealousy is a whisper in your ear,

With a horrible leering sneer,

It says you are not good enough,

And soon that’s all you can hear.

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