Autumn Sunlight

1
by Nathan Bach aged 10

A Winning Poem!!!

Embracing me with its damp arms,
a misty autumn morning heralds the start of the day.
As sunlight strains to cut through the gloom,
the sun looks like a hazy reflection in a pool,
a gossamer white circle seen through a sea of mist.
The weak sunlight glistens on dew covered cobwebs,
making them look like diamond necklaces.
Light bounces off the wet grass which looks like white frost.

On my journey to school car headlights appear,
like a magic trick, through the dense, impenetrable mist,
floating like eerie, body-less beings, they make their way towards me.
Suddenly, through the mist I see the vague outline of a car, just before it passes.

During the journey I dream of bright, sunny mornings,
going for a walk along the canal.
The low sun glinting on the ripples on the water surface
sends bright reflections onto the walls of the tunnel as I walk through.
Damp autumn leaves glisten in the sunlight,
highlighting the glorious shades of golds and bronze,
Sunlight enhancing the jewelled shades of autumn
as dappled light filters through the golden canopy
Blackberries, as dark as the night sky, gleaming in the sunlight,
like a spotlight, the sunlight picking out the rose hips
that shine like bright red lipstick,
Bright red rowan berries, waving like bright flags,
proclaiming nature’s message that autumn is here.
I remember how happy I felt
when the warm, gentle sunbeams made me smile.
It makes me look forward to when the mist breaks
and I can enjoy the soft autumn sunlight once more.

Keep the Light

1
by Megan Hall aged 11

A Winning Poem!!!

I see murderers
I see thieves
I see inside prisons
But I keep my light

I see death
I see plague
I see sadness
But I keep my light

Sometimes I want to choose dark
I forget I have light in me
I just remind myself
We must all keep the light

Stay basking in the glow
Just for a few seconds longer
It will make you stronger
So always keep your light

Keep your light

The Presence

1
by Anya Cook aged 14

A Winning Poem!!!

Oh, how the light reflects off the glass in the gleaming mirror,
Shattering the dullness from the bleak, black room.
Its presence can make even the grumpiest happy.
Light in itself is a beautiful word,
Spreading the joy around when times are dark.
It lifts up our hearts and lets them be free and fly,
And make us pretend we are on Cloud Nine;
For those few moments,
We are lost in a world of our own,
Caught up in the tracks of our minds which dare to think the unthinkable…
Creating a mirthful human being who never brings gloom down upon us.
Light, oh precious light,
Never leave us in despair again.

Little Lights

3
by Francesca Rohan aged 13

A Winning Poem!!!

The most powerful lights,
Are the little lights,
So small, yet they still burn just as bright,

I have many little lights,
In my otherwise placid life,

Ones so small,
That I often wonder,
How they could brighten my day.

Like a smile from a stranger on a cold, lonely morning,
Or a sugary cup of tea to sweeten the taste,
Of a bitter day.

A hug from a friend when the icy blanket of depression,
Hangs over you like a shroud.
And snuggling up on the sofa with popcorn and a chick-flick,
After a long, strenuous day.

And a homemade cupcake burnt at the edges,
Sprinkled with love.

These are some of my little lights,
That warm my heartstrings more than a grand gesture,
More than a giant bouquet of red roses,
Because the little things in life
Make life worth living.

Chinese Spring Lantern Festival

1
by Nicole Chan aged 15

A Winning Poem!!!

As I slip on my jade green qipao
I peek at myself in the reflection in the gold Bagua mirror
Dazzling sequins on Chinese silk reflect the light in the room
Mama comes in to wish me luck tonight
Tonight, the spring Lantern Festival, the night to find a sweetheart.

Clutching my ruby lantern, I stroll down the street lit by the full moon
A red marked tangerine in my right hand
I hear a calm and soothing flute melody ringing in the background
As I approach the pier, I throw my tangerine into the sea
Continuing the tradition of finding a future husband

Floating with the current along the pier,
My fate flows down joining the other bobbing tangerines
Clusters of multicolored girls in glowing silk stand on the harbor waiting
Shyly, I nervously skip down along the pier following my destiny

On the other side, I see a slender young man
Eearing the grey changshan of a scholar
He scoops up a tangerine with grace
The lilting sound of the flute makes me tremble with excitement
As he holds up the fruit, I gasp and see my red mark
I excitedly glide toward him and look up into his dark almond eyes
This is what my heart was waiting for

Qipao – A Chinese traditional one piece dress for women
Bagua – A round mirror surrounded by an octagonal frame with the Bagua design
Changshan – A Chinese traditional dress for men

Be the Light!

1
by Kundai Chikowero aged 12

A Winning Poem!!!

Shine your light, and take control
You might be a girl, let nothing stop you

Shine that light, and keep it shining
Learn science, technology, maths and engineering

Shine your light, and hold the reins
Learn to code, learn to program

Shine your light, and be a leader
Learn to fly, let nothing stop you

Shine that light, and never tire
Learn and inspire other girls world over

Shine your light, and take control
You might be a girl, still shine that light

How Many Lights Do You Have, Mum?

2
by Poppy aged 9

How many lights do you have mum?
well I have…
10 working lamps
9 camping torches
8 loomas stars
7 fairy lights
6 tiny torches
5 fake moons
4 lightbullbs
3 oil lamps
2 candles and
1 bright sun

The Fire Light and Glow Worms

1
by Lucy Kay aged 7

I am looking at the campfire light,
the warmth, the heat, the hotness.
I look at the bright orange fire,
growing bigger every second.
I go back inside my tent,
watching glow worms crawl up the side.
The tiny little bodies their source of glow-worm light!

Light Up My Day

1
by Sophie Hill Shawe aged 12

I thought I walked out the door
It was a hot sunny day

Felt the sun shining on my face
I walked down the street
I say hello to everyone I meet

I looked back to see the cutest boy
He waved hello with eyes alight
I gave a little wave back

The boy fades and I awake
the light is gone
The boy was fake

The Candle

1
by Praniti Gulyani aged 11

It stood there majestically
with intense perseverance
as its wax trickled down gently
down its slender spine
In picturesque elegance, as
the snow
trickling down
Mount Everest
or like
dewdrops trickling down
grass.
Its light flickered-
As the natterjack toads
And the Apollo Butterflies
Crouched together
in sadness
A candle- a mere candle
lit by a careless traveller
had illuminated the habitation
around
Without any
shrill shrieks
A guiding light- god’s blessing
The extraordinary astounding thing-
LIGHT!!!
The animals were held in awe
Early man’s discovery- the last flame flickered,
bid the habitation smiling farewell
and died out
The last drop of melted wax
splashed down
to the floor
to dissolve into the
earth
eventually