Poems about Identity, by Year 6

I recently had the pleasure of working with some pupils in Year 6, to create poems on the theme of 'Identity'. I'd like to share a selection here. If you're reading theme poems, then why not use them as stimuli to write your own? See what you can come up with! The first two poems are from pupils at Westminster Under School (London); the rest are from Crosshall Junior School in St Neots. Enjoy!

I’m Made Of 

I’m made of 

the artwork I created

from the tips of my fingers 

I’m made of

the flashing memories

in the back of my mind 

I’m made of 

the gooey heaven of ice cream flavour

bursting in my mouth 

I’m made of 

the dreams and aspirations

I have for the future 

I’m made of 

thrilling moments

in epic movies

I’m made of

the past, present

and future me

I’m made of 

the medals of achievement

I’ve made

What Makes Me Me?

What makes me me is the memories

that I have collected

with family 

like staying up laughing with my cousin 

or playing pranks on my siblings 

watching them scream in fear ang giggling

What makes me me is the food I like to eat 

like fried chicken

and pizza,

fruit

And sweets

What makes me me are the things I like to do 

like the endless void of calm white while I sleep 

or the determined feeling I get when I play dodgeball 

or watching TV

and the immersive sensation of reading

or the pleasure I feel when eating my favourite food 

What makes me me are the qualities

that build my character

I Am Me

I am Japan - its people, food and culture.

I am me, and my dad's delicious pizza

I am the healthy smoothies I blend

I am the friend of many,

owner of a dog,

owner of a company [! - editor]

I am a gamer, a coder, a writer

I love Dragonball, Godzilla, art

I am me.

Me!

I'm made of

the delicious mac and cheese

I eat while watching TV

I'm made of

the cookies I bake with love

every week

I'm made of

the imaginary characters

living in my head

I'm made of

the books I read

all night in bed

I'm Made Of

I'm made of

McDonalds as a birthday treat

I'm made of

macroons, jelly beans, suger and sweets

I'm made of

riding my bike with the wind in my hair

I'm made of

all the kindness for myself to share

Celebrity Children's Author

Since I became a successful children’s author

I’ve been amazed at the opportunities

that have opened up for me. 

Just last week I was asked to play for Man United. 

“But I can barely kick a ball!” I said. 

“Doesn’t matter”, they replied – “the crowd will love you”.

In fact, I’d just come out of the recording studio

where I’d been laying down my debut single.

I sing like a cement mixer, but no one seems to care.

Another thing I can’t do is dance.

This was no impediment to my being invited

to join the Royal Ballet and several breakdance troupes.

Yes, since my latest picture book came out

I’ve been on all the quiz shows, game shows, 

news shows, baking shows, DNA shows, reality shows,

politics shows, farming shows, antique shows,

documentary shows, mockumentary shows,

eating-camel’s-arse-in-the-jungle shows, 

and it’s no wonder: after all, the life of a celebrity 

is the rightful domain of the successful children’s author.

And boy, it shows.

Joshua Seigal 

Gifts From Dad

The other month he showed up

and he gave me a surprise – 

an awesome giant dinosaur

with special laser eyes!

For Christmas I got presents

such as models, games and sweets. 

Whenever birthdays come around

he ladens me with treats.

He frequently pops over

to bestow a bit of cash.

The other week he bought me shoes,

and when I run they flash!

 

These gifts from Dad are lovely;

to complain would be a crime,

but I don’t get what I really want – 

a little of his time.

Joshua Seigal

Lovely poems from Year 6, Sandal Primary School

When I was at school, our teachers often got us to write about the things we got up to over the holidays. The Year 6 teacher at Sandal Primary School recently got in touch to say he class had been writing poems about some of the wacky things they didn't do over the holidays - what a lovely idea for a fun writing activity. I was especially pleased to see that some of their poems mentioned Bluebell, my very silly cat, who has now become infamous throughout the land! I hope you enjoy this selection of poetry as much as I did:

Nobody Really Owns Anything

These words aren’t really mine – 

I’m just renting them from the pencil.

And the pencil doesn’t own the wood – 

it merely rents it from the trees.

And the trees don’t own their roots – 

the ground simply leases it to them. 

And the ground doesn’t own the earth – 

it’s just borrowed from the universe.

And who owns the universe, you ask?

Child, you don’t even own the question.

Joshua Seigal

Wonderful poem from Sophie at Manorside Primary School

Last week I was lucky enough to visit the fantastic Manorside Primary School in Finchley. The school is less than a ten minute walk from where I live, which was nice. I am really happy that Sophie's parents have given me permission to share the poem below, which was written during one of my workshops. Sophie is someone who does not always find school easy, and I think she can be so, so proud of what she has been able to achieve with her marvellous poem. Well done Sophie!

Just Like Me by Sophie

Blue describes me.

It is an ice cream – 

sweet, cold and a treat. 

Blue is a sparkly dress,

a plastic cup,

a rainbow hairband. 

Blue is my favourite colour. 

Blue is the ocea at the beach

on my holiday.

Blue is the sky.

Blue is the peace and quiet. 

I love blue!

It Was Like That When I Got There

after Homer Simpson

The telly’s lying on its side

The shards of glass are hard to hide

The window’s smashed, the hole is wide

But it was like that when I got there. 

Tomato stains are on the rug 

And sparks are flying from the plug 

It wasn’t me who chipped the mug – 

It was like that when I got there.

The goldfish isn’t in her bowl 

The hamster has gone for a stroll

My shoes have dog dirt on the sole

But it was like that when I got there. 

The vase has fallen from the shelf

I know you left me by myself

But it must have been some sort of elf

Since it was like that when I got there!

Joshua Seigal