Poet Cheryl Moskowitz led a poetry workshop at Rosary primary school, Camden in early November.
Here are some of the poems written by children in year four.


The Journey Poem

I remember sparkly snow and bright green trees
I remember chocolate brown log cabins covered over in thick white snow
I remember the smell of dry compost and sweet roses
I remember flowers and berries and the sound of the hunters’ guns
I remember birds singing, the rustling of leaves and crackling of branches
I remember fires burning and people talking and kids playing
I remember thinking that there will come a time soon
when I will no longer remember any of this

Never did I expect to be out on the sea,
a great time for you and me
The things I see as I head further out,
if you wish to know this story just give me a shout!
I never expected to see creatures like this;
salmon and crabs, dolphins and fish
When I left the forest I got loaded onto a truck
When the people lifted me I got covered in muck
Now I’m on the boat, everything is fine
because the future ahead sounds divine
As I get closer to shore I’m more and more excited
To tell you the truth, I’m quite delighted.

At last I can see land,
but what is this place I am in?
Traffic on the road, wheels in a spin.
Cars screech, engines rev
I miss the forest and my forest bed
Here the snow has turned to slush
I miss the whiteness and the icy hush
In the Square with my head held high
I can see the London Eye
Buckingham Palace, the tower, gold
The royal gallery, young people and old
I’m glad to be here, in a place so new
Do you think I’m beautiful?
I was chosen for you.

They pull me out, I’ve got a funny feeling in my tummy
I didn’t want to be cut down but I had no choice
I am the Queen of the Forest, now resting at Rosary School
The fresh air is flavoured by roasting potatoes in the food hall
This tells me lunch is near. I hear cheerful children
chattering inside me, discussing their books printed on paper
pulped from me, with pencils carved from me, in a gazebo
built from me. This is the best life I could ever have had.
Better than the forest, better than the sea,
now London children have all of me.

by Cheryl Moskowitz and schoolchildren

Cinquains

Old tree
Tree from the ground
happy people singing
Songs from Norway, songs from London
new tree.    (Sarah)

Christmas
white snow drips down
kids run around the house
snow is melting, sprinkling down
house snow    (Alice)

The tree
snow flake falling
green branches breaking down
Ice crackling on the sad ground
outside    (Oskar)

The tree
So wonderful
Gifts are under the tree
People feel good around the tree
Christmas    (Oran)

Snow fall
Very cold now
riding on the reindeer
Remembering him on Christmas Day
Jesus     (Dillon)