I asked you to write an ANZAC Day poem and I was utterly delighted with how you took up this challenge. Some of you clearly did some research. Some of you thought about the shape of your poem on the page. Some of you found some terrific detail to make your poems come alive. All your poems moved me and astonished me so thank you. This makes all the work of my blog worth it.
I couldn’t post all the poems but I loved reading them all. So remember the first and best joy is always the joy of writing (that’s how it works for me anyway!)
I will post the link to these poems again on ANZAC Day.
Thanks to Scholastic I have a copy of the beloved classic, The Bantam and the Solider by Jennifer Beck and Robyn Belton to give away.You can see the review of the book here.
It was so hard to choose so I am going to cheat and give the copy to brother and sister, Gemma and Daniel, as I so loved their poems. I loved the way their poems came from their hearts but also used real detail. This took the poems to another level. I loved the way Gemma had a pattern that kept changing and Daniel included the taste of the biscuits. I liked the way the poems had feeling but they didn’t just use feeling words all the time.
Bravo all the young poets who sent in poems! You made my day.
ANZAC
I love Anzac biscuits
Because they are crumbly and tasty
But they remind me
That soldiers didn’t get many treats
I love Dawn Service
Because it’s an adventure
But it reminds me
That soldiers are important
It is good to remember
But it is sad to remember.
Daniel L, aged 5, Year 1, Adventure School, Wellington
We Will Remember
I wear these medals
I will remember
My Grandad wore these medals
He will remember
His Dad wore these medals
He can’t remember
His Dad earned those medals
He wouldn’t want to remember.
Gemma L, aged 8, Year 4, Adventure School, Wellington
Anzac Day
guns planes
trenches helmets
boots scared
poppies
Vann is in Year 3, Russley School [note from Paula, I love the shape of this poem as it is like the V sign for victory and for peace. It is a simple but very strong poem. Wonderful!]
Anzac Day
Benjamin aged 8 Year 4 Home schooled [I love the way this poem looks like a medal!]
Anzac Day
Charlotte aged 5 1/2 Year 1 Home schooled [this poem also looks like a medal!]
Russley School in Christchurch sent in a terrific bunch of Anzac poems. What makes your poems so alive and so moving is the real detail you have picked. What a great job you have done! I can see you have really thought about the day and it looks like you have done some research. I haven’t posted all your poems but I loved them all.
ANZAC Day Mood Poem
ANZAC DAY is red, orange, and black,
It tastes like salty beef and tears.
It smells like muddy latrines.
ANZAC day looks like dust and poppies
and dark muddy trenches.
The sound of guns firing, shooting
and grubby stomping
ANZAC DAY MAKES ME SAD.
By Oliva F, age 8 Year Russley School
ANZAC Day Mood Poem
ANZAC day is brown like a muddy trench
It tastes like a tin of bully beef
It smells like smoke rising into the air
The sounds of guns firing is heard
ANZAC day makes me feel lucky
we are not having a war
By Sasha W, age 8yrs
ANZAC Day Mood Poem
ANZAC Day is dark
It tastes like cups of salt
It smells like gas and smoke
ANZAC Day looks grey
The sound of guns
ANZAC Day makes me feel blue
By Karim F, age 8
ANZAC DAY MOOD POEM
ANZAC Day is red and black
it tastes like bully beef and mustard and golden syrup
it smells like toadstools and smoke
ANZAC Day looks like explosions and people killing people
it sounds like explosions and guns
ANZAC day makes me tearful
Lucy C, age 7yrs
ANZAC DAY Mood Poem
ANZAC Day is red and brown
It tastes like bully beef and jam
It smells like smoke and gun powder
ANZAC Day looks dark and gloomy
The sound of music
ANZAC Day makes me sad
Hannah M, age 7yrs
And this one also from Russley School:
Poetry Box 