Home Competition: Winners & Finalists
The following poems and art were selected as the Winners for the Kids’ Poetry Club Summer 2020 Competition on the topic of HOME! The Winners come from eight different countries: Australia, England, Ireland, Korea, Nigeria, Scotland, United States, and Wales. The competition results were announced in a special awards ceremony podcast episode on August 10th, when Little Dazzy Donuts read the winning poems. In addition to seeing the Winners below, you can also read all of the Finalists’ poems, listen to all of the poets reciting their poems in our bonus episodes, check out the Finalists’ art, and read selected poems on teen reflections. Congratulations to all of the Winners and Finalists!
Poetry & Art: Under 9
“Safe” by Sofia, aged 6, from Scotland
(available to listen to in episode 36)
At my home, it is safe.
I like it here, it is cosy and warm.
I love my mummy, and daddy, and my little brother.
I love my bed and my ubercorn teddy in my bed.
And I love my pillow that I take on holiday.
I feel happy and also a little bit sad,
because I have to stay here for a long time.
I’d like to be outside as well.
Something really weird is happening in my brain right now.
I want to be inside and outside as well at the same time.
Going out right now feels strange.
Everyone is wearing masks and at a distance.
What can I do about it?
I really want to help,
so I have to stay safe in my house.
Veer, aged 7, from India
Poetry & Art: Age 9-10
“Grandma’s House” by Amelia, aged 10, from England
(available to listen to in episode 36)
Hidden warmth in plush velvet sofas.
A garden abounding with sweet vivid flowers,
akin to the comfort of a familiar friend.
Memories huddle over every wall.
Adventure awaits as you clamber the winding stairs,
up to the rooftop carrying swirling clouds.
A wealth of cosy rooms for hiding.
Dark burrows create distinctive dens,
guarded by a tiger with the softest purr.
While the laughter of cousins resounds from the nursery.
The razzmatazz red wardrobe is a pocket of style and fashion.
An explosion of colours, shapes and icons.
Grandma owns her own look.
Grandma’s pantry is like no other.
Piled high with Penguin Bars, Quavers and Kit Kats.
A harmony of sweet delights.
You can never feel alone at Grandmas House.
Your head is full of happiness.
Nothing is quite like Grandma.
She’s completely wonderful.
Sarah, aged 10, from Ireland
Poetry & Art: Age 11-12
“Memories” by Dharshwana, aged 11, from Korea
(available to listen to in episode 39)
As I drive out for the last time,
I glance back at the red roof and the yellow bricks making up home.
I remember the days when I fell or stood,
the moody and gloomy days, and the sunny bright days.
Bitter sweetness thoughts clouded my head.
As we made the last turn, onto our new adventure.
I unlocked the chain, and went on free.
David, aged 11, from Australia
Poetry & Art: Age 13-17
“Do You Know?” by Akubueze, aged 16, from Nigeria
(available to listen to in Teen Reflections)
Do you know the home has been OK
since the day that you left?
No fighting amongst siblings.
The home has been OK,
and OK has been the home.
Do you know the home has been more fun
since they day you left?
Everyone is co-operating.
The home has been more fun,
and more fun has been the home.
Do you know the home has been filled with joy
since the day you left?
No one cry, let alone weep.
The home has been filled with joy,
and filled with joy has been the home.
It is all a lie,
all I have said.
The home has not been OK
since the day you left.
Just problem upon problem.
The home has not been more fun
since the day you left.
Just a complete boredom.
The home has not been filled with joy
since the day you left.
Just sad and sorrowful.
The home is a complete disaster
since the day you left, Mum.
You left leaving a big vacuum
with no one to fill it in.
The home has not been like it used to,
and it has not even been like a home, Mum.
RIP MUM
