Poetry Box | Object Poems

Our final writing challenge for the year was Paula Green's Object Poem. Each of our writers picked an inanimate object that was meaningful to them and wrote a poem inspired by it.

The objects ranged from special items of jewellery to toys and musical instruments and even a traffic light!

Congratulations to all our writers who took the plunge and gave this challenge a try. Paula has picked some of the poems she received to publish on Poetry Box. Special mention to Liama and Sanuthi who Paula has chosen to send one of her poetry books to. Well done!

https://nzpoetrybox.wordpress.com/2024/12/10/poetry-box-poems-by-children-objects/

Bernadette S. age 10,

sitting on a shelf
the cat basks in sunlight
black glass sparkling

Bernadette S. age 10, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

the globe perches on the desk
spinning around and around
my finger lands on Mexico

Kimberly B. age 9, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

one pair of shoes
for walking and running
dirty holes and tangled laces

Liama L. age 10, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

roller skates in my wardrobe
I’m searching
for another pair of shoes

Kylie G, age 8, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

Great Nana June’s Bracelet

rusty like an old car
golden like a one dollar coin
delicate like a twig
it reminds me of her

Harper B, age 9, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

Blank Paper

white like santa’s beard
fresh like a new bud
parched like a desert

it is but paper
waiting for a pencil
to disturb its surface

by Katherine L, age 9, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

Tonga

Tonga
a beautiful island
sits above the water

palm trees
surround the country
coconuts cling onto branches

the pacific ocean
crystal clear

a monstrous wave sprints to shore

Sisilia L. age 9, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

I bought a traffic light
my very own traffic light
a five year old kid’s dream

Sam M. age 9, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

A pencil has a limited life.
Life gets shorter when sharpened.
If ever sharpened to the end, life runs out.

Kelvin M. age 9, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

the soft touch of the dolphin
that came from Japan
the reminder of my grandparents in Tokushima

Karin M. age 11, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

Guitar

in my case my guitar
with memories like gold
memories
when I played my first song to my dad
on his special day
with love

when I was nine
on my special day
my dad brought me my own guitar

Sanuthi G. age 11, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

my school bag

my school bag
I see it every single day
since I was six  
it’s fluffy and pink
I don’t want another school bag

Bhaarati S. age 10, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

Food Poems Published

A few weeks ago, we wrote poems for Paula Green's Food Poem Challenge. Our poems had to have a food theme... they could be about a particular item of food or meal, or be written in the form of a recipe, or simply just mention food.

Some of our writers had their poems selected by Paula and were published on the Poetry Box website. Congratulations to...

Finn Beedie | Rm 12 | A Bed of Clams

Leo Yang | Rm 2 | Mr Whippy

Sam Li | Rm 13 | How to Live a Long Time

Special congratulations to Finn Beedie (Room 12) who has won a copy of Egg & Spoon cookbook (Alexander Tylee and Giselle Clarkson). Gecko Press

https://nzpoetrybox.wordpress.com/2020/12/09/poetry-box-november-challenge-some-favourite-food-poems/

Nature Activity Poems Published

 

Congratulations to these talented Russley writers, who have had their poems published on Poetry Box. 

Blake W | Wind

Sam L | Ginko Walk

James DW | Ginko

Anabelle K | extreme ginko walk

Mostafa | I Wonder Why

Esme | Scribbles

Paula Green's Poetry Box challenge was to write a nature poem, inspired by some of the activities in The Nature Activity Book, by Rachel Haydon and Pippa Keel. Paula invited students to explore nature, to listen and look, use their imagination, and take their time writing a poem.

She received hundreds of poems from all over NZ and said it was an exceptionally hard job choosing just a few. 

Paula said, "I loved reading your poems and I can tell you loved writing them. I especially loved the way you went outside and you listened and looked. What a terrific time the students at Russley School had slowing down in the world to look and listen."

"I loved the way some words stayed with me all day. I loved the way Esme ended her poem with a pencil scribbling!"

Paula Green chose Blake's poem, Wind, as one of her favourites and he will receive his own copy of the The Nature Activity Book. Congratulations, Blake!

I Wonder Why

 

In front of the library filled with books 

mysteries and adventures

a warning 

COVID-19 poster

the bare oak tree stretches its branches to reach the sky

soft breeze cools me down 

a flock of house sparrows chirp gracefully  

delicate flowers shine in the sun

and I wonder

why the sky 

is such a very bright blue?

- Mostafa Elnahas | 9 years old | year 5

Poetry Box Poets

The following Russley writers have had their poems published on Paula Green's Poetry Box website. Sophie Elkins was chosen as an overall favourite, and wins a copy of Paula's book, Groovy Fish. Congratulations, Sophie!

I also want to make special mention of prolific poet James de Wit, who had THREE poems published. Awesome!


Sophie Elkins - My Favourite Tree

James de Wit - Death of an Autumn Leaf, The Wiggly Squiggly Hose, The Peaceful Night
Lillia Poh - Lockdown List
Lucas Yee - Lockdown Walk, Bean Bag
Ella-Rose - Beans
Reuben Veenstra - Mondial Rose
Liam Bond - Nibbles My Pet
Liam Clark - Autumn
Eabha Dalton - String Lights, Things That Wake Me Up in the Night
Aaliyah Rentoul - Weedeater
Ila Rutherfurd - Things That Wake Me in the Night


Paula also published two of our Pass the Poem pieces...

Team Roto Writers (Mrs K, James, Lucas Y, Emilia, Henry, Oliver, Amber & Sam)
Pass the Poem - Ninja Cat

Team Awa Nui Writers (Mrs K, Lillia, Aaliyah, Sophie, Lily T, Therese)
Pass the Poem - Button Moon