Competition Entry

I sat on my high chair,
The smell of a meaty substance,
The spoon came nearer and nearer,
All of a sudden, an awkward sensation
Sprung up in my mouth like a firework.
I learnt later it was spaghetti bolognese.

As smooth as can be
As beautiful as can be
As sweet as roses could ever be
I feel like nothing can be
Without you.

Off By Heart Winner

Cat and Rat went out one day
A-travelling through the wood-o,
Cat and Rat went far away
Out from their neighborhood-o.

With me right-da-do five
Da-diddl-i-lee
Me right-da-diddle-li die do

Cat, he was a bit worried…
To roam so far from home-o…
Rat he scoffed, as he scurried,
“You’re such a silly gnome-o!”

“Oh come along,” cried ol’ Rat,
A-quirking with his finger,
“Call it an adventure, Cat!
There’s no need for to linger.”

Cat, he was more worried still…
He thought they shouldn’t go-o
Rat replied, his voice quite shrill,
“Come on, Cat – don’t be slow-o!”

Cat and Rat were lost in play
As they went through the trees-o.
Cat forgot to watch the way
As Rat did poke and tease-o…

“Rat,” said Cat, “it’s getting cold.”
His voice had lost all cheer-o…
“Let me ask a question bold…
Where do we go from here-o?”

“Look,” said Rat, “you see that glow?
A-shining bright and warm-o?
I bet that’s the way to go
It sure won’t do no harm-o.”

Cat, he thought Rat might be wrong,
but he was easy-going,
Wouldn’t do to stand there long
It had begun a-snowing!

Rat, he marched up to the door
and rapped upon it smartly.
Knocked until his paw was sore
and then it opened…partly.

Cat and Rat they saw a nose
and two eyes brightly glowing.
Rat, he rocked back on his toes
with all his teeth a-showing.

“Can we sleep here for the night?”
Asked Rat at his most char-ming.
The door opened wide and bright,
Which should have been alarming.

Once the door was closed and barred,
they noticed their mis-take-o
Bear it was a-standing there!
And they began to shake-o…

Bear, he put them in a cage
their protests sharp and shrill-o.
Bear, he laughed to hear them rage…
They may be in there still-o!

Listen to my warning, lads
and all you lasses too-o
Wand’ring too far from your dads,
Might be the end of you-o!

Off By Heart Winner

Holiday, holiday,
We’re going to the sea,
The car is chaos,
And it’s too much for me!

Like a banshee,
My brother screams,
‘Till I shut him up,
With an ice cream!

I’m squished and squashed,
With loads of bags,
As my sister
Whines and moans and nags!

The noise is driving
Mum to tears,
She’s shut us out,
Hands over ears!

Helplessly,
Dad tells us to be quiet,
While the dog’s sly barks,
Add to the riot!

Holiday, holiday,
We’re going to the sea,
And the chaos is normal,
For my great family!

Off By Heart Winner

As the midnight willow dances to the rhythm of the wind
As the moonlit wolf howls
As the dreams of those who are lost are trapped within
As the world blissfully sleeps
I come out to play
I am the dew on the morning grass
I am the first ray of light
I am the one who is watching over you
Protecting you
I am your hopes and wishes
I am your guardian
I am the angel from above
I am beauty and grace
Now lie down and sleep for I am the magic of the night.

Off By Heart Winner

Time to put the calculator to bed,
Time to put the dictionary away,
Time to hide the uniform,
We’re on Summer Holiday!

Time to switch my alarm clock off,
Time to lie in,
Time to shut up my homework,
We’re on summer Holiday!

Time to zip my pencil case up,
And in the cupboard let it stay,
With my super boring shoes for school,
We’re on summer Holiday!

Time for football, time for playing,
Time for trainers, time for jeans,
Time for ridding on my bike,
Time for eating baked beans,
We’re on summer Holiday!

Time for sleeping like a log,
Time for jumping as a frog,
Time for fun in the sun,
We’re on summer Holiday!

Off By Heart Winner

Ten tiny kittens were born in our barn.
They all liked to play with a big ball of yarn.

Nine nap-loving kittens were asleep in the sun.
One heard a dog bark and off it did run.

Eight anxious kittens slowly climbed up a tree.
One chased a bluebird and away it did flee.

Seven sweet kittens sat by a pond.
A bullfrog said “Ribbit” and another was gone.

Six silly kittens romped under a bush.
The wind came up and one was gone with a whoosh!

Five furry kittens were chasing a mouse.
One chased it into our neighbor’s house.

Four fuzzy kittens were trying to catch a fish.
One grabbed a minnow and ran to put it in his dish.

Three thirsty kittens wanted something to drink.
One was off to the stream as quick as a wink!

Two tumbling kittens rolled down a hill.
One fell backward just for a thrill.

One large happy cat now purrs in my lap.
He likes all the room to take a long nap.

Special Prize

What came to your mind
When you read the heading?
I imagined a bride coming in a church!
It was terrible! Why?
Because there was no music playing!

Why do people enjoy living?
Because life is a faked tragic!
Why does music lessen the pain?
Because it has magic!
It says: when you feel let down
Search for happiness at the bottom!
When your wheel stops turning
Click that button…
When there’s no way of escaping the truth,
Take a walk with me!
Is there a way of escaping a lie?
Now take a listen and see…

Your best friend calls itself music
You can anytime talk with her…
It’s the thing that makes all of us the same…
The bagger, the president, madam or sir…
When you see the leaves clapping together
You see music…
When you hear rough sea sleeping
You hear music…
When you feel wind touching your hair
You feel music…
Music hides in every frozen heart
So let it melt!
It needs some warmth, patience,
Let it cover you! Act!

Without music it’s like:
Wanderer without walking…
Nature without a ground…
People without talking…
No noise in the crowd…
Cigarette without smoking…
Laughter without a clown…
Showman without joking…
Sadness without a frown…
Guitar playing with no chords…
Justice without being fair…
A poem without words…
Extinct species being not real…
Butterfly flying without wings…
Art without being felt…
Scientists inventing already invented things…
In winter, ice being melt…

So appreciate music!
Without it, life isn’t worth living…
Listen… Feel like you, really feel music!
And never stop dreaming!
Music describes everything that can’t be described…
That has ever or never been felt or seen!
It explains everything that words can’t say
That the human race used to say or used to mean!

Special Prize

The breath that blows
Across the fields
That whispers through the trees

The stream that trickles
Down the hill
That meanders to the sea

The birds that fly
Above the spray
That chorus to the day

The waves caress
Against the sand
They all combine
To make a peaceful band.

Poster Winner

I am Small
I am Clever
I am Brave
I am Kind
I am Nine
I am Cameron