Poetry Together 2023 Gallery
Our Poetry Together Winners
Congratulations to Avi, 9 and Colin, 91 who were revealed as Poetry Together 2023 winners live on This Morning. Both Avi and Colin met when Avi’s school, Buckingham Primary School visited Clarendon House Care Home last year to share poems, tea and cake in a Poetry Together get-together. They both did a fabulous job.
Our Poetry Together Runners-Up
Gladiators Class at Stow-on-the-Wold enjoyed a tea party (including happiness biscuits) with their local care home and Frank McMahon, a local Gloucester-shire poet.
Orchard Vale Primary School at their local care home
Emily (Year 6)
To me what makes me happy is playing in the sun,
Going to the park with friends,
It is all really fun.
To me what makes me happy is sitting by the sea,
I love to read, I love to write,
Being happy is the key.
To me what makes me happy is being with my friends and family,
Going on adventures,
That’s what makes me happy.
Always be kind.
Always believe.
Because if you do then you will achieve.
Ananya (Year 5)
Happiness is like a red balloon,
Watch it fly and soar so high,
It’s so bright and beautiful,
Watch it punch through the dark sky!
Happiness is an emotion,
The best to be precise,
It’s when you are having lots of fun,
Or looking at something nice!
So make your friends and family happy,
Even with just a little smile,
That smile will be passed on,
And it will stretch for thousands of miles!
Melissa (Year 6) - My Happy Place
The feeling of sun on your skin,
Finding the happiness within,
Giving joy to others,
Smelling a flower,
Seeing a smile,
Happiness can take you miles,
Eating a cake,
That you have helped to bake,
A cup of hot cocoa before bed,
Closing your eyes and resting your head,
Helping a friend to pave the way,
A small hug on a cloudy day,
This is my happy place,
Made even better when I see your face.
Poems from Year 5 at Powell's School
Happiness
The road is a ribbon as soft as silk,
I see the slow slither of a snail and hear the bouncing of a ball,
The buildings in town are cascading shadows over our heads,
I could hear the soft squeak of a squirrel and the ear-piercing sound of a deathly howl at midnight.
In the distance dolphins splash around,
Cats purr, happy in their homes,
Lizards crawl all over the rocks somewhere abroad,
The sly movements of a panther as it catches its prey,
And the crackle of thundering lightening.
By Annabel
Happiness
As a I walk through the forest,
I hear the sweet squeak of a squirrel.
The forest is a carpet of green,
The rustle of a hedgehog.
My happiness soars like a bird in the sky.
As I walk through the forest,
I hear the sneaky scurry of a mouse,
The distant barks of dogs,
My happiness as peaceful as a blue sea.
By Harry
My Spirit Soars
A big smile is a beam of sunshine,
Gazing at the growing ocean,
Carpet of sand below my feet
Lashing slopes of sapphire water into whirlwinds of foam
My life giggles,
Carried by the fierce evening breeze,
The water is as cold as an iceberg,
The ferocious sun blinded our eyes,
Slowly retreats into the depths of the distance
My spirit smiles, calm at last.
By Sassy
Wilson's School at a local care home
St Martin at Shouldham C of E VA Primary visited Shouldham Care Home
Netley Primary School and Esther Randall Court performing - The Dragon Who Ate Our School.
Barton Primary School (Year 5 pupils) and residents from Newport Residential Care Home
Kilrea Primary School's primary 6 class, Kilrea Writing Group and U3A created poems based on happiness and shared them at an event at their school, attended by the Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry.
Pandas
Chinese pandas, cute as could be
Merrily munching bamboo.
I’d like to see you in your native home
Not just in a cage in the zoo.
Falling and rolling and tumbling by day,
Lying like lords every night,
Deep in the heart of the place you call home,
Oh what a wonderful sight.
By John & Noah
Leah
I have a little sister,
I call her Leah Lou,
I always do my best for her,
Someone she can look up to.
I waited a long time,
For a sibling to come,
Now I have a baby sister,
We’re going to have so much fun.
She makes me really happy,
With all her smiles and giggles,
When I try to catch her,
She always crawls and wiggles.
We have the best bond ever,
Having a sister is great,
I love her so very much,
She is my best mate.
By Scarlett
Happy Dogs
Set free they run across the strand
kicking up the golden piles of sand
unbounded hounds race towards the sea
through wiry grass both boundless free.
Up sand hill slopes some low some steep
through prickly clumps they jump and leap
then back to the frothy waves they tear
there stand stock still and sniffing stare.
Throw a ball and that they’ll wildly chase
watch and see who’s got the faster pace
they sudden stop slow down their speed
go off and chew some fresh seaweed.
Then off to a standing post to piddle
or run to seaweed snuffle sniff and widdle
then sudden stop close by our feet
for now they want a biscuit treat.
Back panting come they heed the call
slow down and stop and drop the ball
back on the lead now freedom’s done
their day on the beach ~ what doggy fun.
Humphrey Booth Resource Centre coproduced poems with students from Moorside High School.
Happiness is by Anna
Happiness is
Special times with family and friend's
A hug , A chat, An ear to lend
Happiness is
A book, a blanket, a warm drink and cake
At the end of the day, it's all it might take
Happiness is
The gentle touch of Love's embrace
That could bring a smile to any face
Happiness is
From mornings whisper to twilights call
In your arms I find my all
Happiness is
Bowfell House and St Monica's Primary School
Fear is like a jiggered knife
But love is as strong as the colors of the sunset
Like flowers blooming in rainbow
Love is an endless football goal
It feels like winning the world cup
Your heart is the trophy
Comfort is stroking a fluffy dog
The smooth silk of the dogs fur
Bringing happiness to our hearts
Gratitude is being with my family and
Happiness is a never ending pizza
Love is a happy home, like Bowfell House
Full of excitement like the twinkling lights of Blackpool
Wisbech Grammar School & residents from Goodwins Hall Care Home
Considering Springtime
A carpet of blazing bluebells, bright hoods
Bobbing, buoyant above the spinner’s silver
Morning loom, the beaded breath of dogwoods
Boughs shines afore the fresh coats of chilvers
Close cropped, the grass grows alongside the lambs
Ushered ‘neath the verge of fresh roses by
The ever present, watchful ewe’s eye.
Atop the slope moor of heather and gorse
The ridge line of beechwood, winding branches
Burst and bloom with glaucous green, sprouting coarse
Dawn’s growth and shoots of youthful life, blanches
At the hint of frosty winter wind, yet
Spring’s jovial germination clings on, roots
Steadfast and everlasting, joy its fruit.
By Nathanel
Saint John Henry Newman
RC College and local care home Chadderton Total Care Unit
Happiness, a joyful song,
In our hearts where it belongs.
It dances like a gentle breeze,
Bringing us peace & sweet release.
It’s found in laughter, warm & bright,
In moments shared, both day & night.
In simple pleasures, big or small,
Happiness embraces us all.
A smile that brightens up our face,
A warm hug, a loving embrace.
The beauty of a sunny day,
Or watching children as they play.
Happiness is found within,
In gratitude for what has been.
In cherishing each precious day,
And finding joy along the way.
So, lets embrace this gift we’re given,
And let happiness be our mission.
Spread love and kindness,
Far and wide,
And let happiness be our guide.
By Kizzi, Year 7
‘HAPPINESS’
A Sunset fading in the West
An evening reminiscence, and now at rest
The times together when the world stood still
Speaking of dreams, one day to fulfil
A trip to the Theatre to be beguiled
Pinter, Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde
Listening to birdsong way up in the trees
The sun on your face, and the occasional breeze
A walk along the beach on a blustery day
The sea pounding against the rocks, and the resulting spray
Stepping outside to that first warmth of Spring
The wonders of new life that nature will bring
True Happiness doesn’t have to cost a thing
It comes from love and the feeling within.
By Jill Booker
Tameside Young Carers
Click above to view the project PDF