As you discover following this blog, and reading and writing poems, poems can do anything. These two ANZAC poems are very different from each other, but stand out for me.
Gemma‘s poem starts with an important question. It reminds us that war affects all people, on and off the battlefields. It changes the way lives are lived. I really love the way she has thought about it.
Daniel has taken the poppy and used that to make a terrific picture poem (a shape poem). What makes his poem even better is the way he has thought of good detail for his poem. Strong detail. He has written a poppy poem that we could wear!
Congratulations on all the thought and exploration and creativity you both put into your poems, Gemma and Daniel. I have a surprise book for each of you.
I will post more poems over the next few days … have a lot to read yet!
What About the Women?
Where were the women
In the war?
They did indeed stay home
But their life changed
On the farm
Harvesting crops
Getting thin
Doing the work of men
In the factories
Building bombs
Turning yellow
Sulphur was to blame
Where else were women
In the war?
They didn’t all stay home
And their life changed
On the front line
Hospitals, trains and ships
Nursing wounded soldiers
Burying the dead
In the air and on the sea
Even in disguise
Posing as men
Doing what needed to be done
Where else were women
In the war?
Waiting.
Mothers. Sisters. Daughters. Lovers.
Broken hearted when their men didn’t come home.
Gemma L Age 9, Year 5 Adventure School, Whitby
Daniel L, Aged 6, Year 2 Adventure School, Whitby
Poetry Box 