Poet Lindsay MacRae led a poetry workshop at New North Community School, Islington in early November. Here are some of the poems written by children in year six.
 

The Tree Journey

I can feel snow dripping from my branches
I smell warm fresh hot dogs
Hear the wind whistling by me.
I can see boys kicking my trunk.
I taste the girl’s woody perfume.

They chop me down.
Hurtful and horrifying as getting beheaded.
Children singing queen of the woods.
Children giving me hugs
Like a human.

I’m a petrified prisoner locked up for life.
It feels like someone kidnapped me.

The daylight
I’m scared, happy that my pine needles
Are getting fresh air.
Zooming down the road.

I’m a star.
I’m back on my feet
All eyes are on me.
I’m stunning and shining
This is my time.
They keep me up until New Year
Don’t want to go down, I want to stay up.
A symbol of peace.

by Jaya


The Tree’s Journey

Snow falling onto my branches
With the breeze blowing it off
The children singing me a song
For twelve months I’ve been alone
Now they’re throwing me a party
I’ve been chosen
I’m the best
My dreams are finally coming true
The men are cutting my legs
I’m the chosen one

Strapped to the boat
I sailed away
I was boiling hot
As if I was next to the sun
The smell was terrible

Next I was stuck to a lorry
With the wind blowing on my legs
I wonder what I’m going to do in the city
They should remember that I’m Queen

The place they dropped me off at
Was Trafalgar Square
Everyone says I’m as
Special as a diamond
I’m royal
I’m finally dressed like a queen
The symbol of peace, once
A queen of the forest, now
The queen of the city.

by Makyn


The Tree’s Journey

In the forest
I listen to the birds tweet and tweet
In the forest
I smell the sweet cinnamon as it flushes up my nose
In the forest
I taste the ripened smell of blackcurrants

But then I feel the pain lashing through me as they cut me down
I see the children bowing down to me
I smell strong sausages sizzling away in the fire
I am set aboard on the ship

Aboard the ship
I feel strangled by strong straps tied to the ship
Aboard the ship
I hear the sailors struggle
Then the ship stops and they carry me off

On the lorry
I feel excited with royalty
On the lorry
I think it’s a new beginning
On the lorry
I hear the car engines roar
They take me off and get me changed and I’m all set to go

They make me stand just next to Nelson
Where the audience roars with excitement

by Radman