I Can't Read Because...

I’m seriously sick, 

unusually unwell, 

powerfully poorly,

awfully afflicted, 

grimly grotty, 

really, really ropey;

I’ve a dastardly debilitation – 

a bad case of illiteration.

Joshua Seigal

To Those Diagnosed

So this is just a poem, and I’m no doctor, 

but what if you’re not that sick?

What if it’s the world that’s sick,

and you’re just doing your best to live in it,

to live with it? What if you fit imperfectly

into a world that was never built for perfection?

What if everything in the world is wonky,

and for sensing its wonkiness you are in fact

one of its less wonky bits? Hear this:

what if your head and heart are working overtime

for a corrupt boss? What if the world itself

is a corrupt boss – are you sick, or is he?

Listen to me: you’re not as askew as they say you are.

You suffer in a world ripe for suffering.

Take heart from that. And do what you need to do

to ease your pain, but let no one say

you’re sick for the feeling of it.

Joshua Seigal

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