Poet Cheryl Moskowitz led a poetry workshop at St Mary of the Angels primary school, Westminster in early November. Here are some of the poems written by children in year six.
 

Journey Poem

In the forest
I feel like I am in heaven
I can hear the birds chirping,
birds and animals
I hear bears roaring
and I can feel squirrels climbing up my back.
I can see snow dropping,
I can feel spiders climbing up on the snow.
I am comforted by my forest family.

I see humans for the first time.
I feel upset because other trees are being cut down and used for useful things.
They are getting chopped up.
I feel scared, sad
upset to be leaving home and family.

On the roaring ocean
I feel different because I am on my side.
I see marine life below me.
Sea creatures jumping
The boat sailing swiftly
air rushing through my branches.

I feel sad because I am leaving my country
and weird because people are staring at me.
I feel angry because they did not ask me if I wanted to leave Norway.
I feel devastated for leaving my home.
The roar of the ocean, blue sea.
I feel different because I’m on my side.

On the road
it is rocky, bumpy.
Strange noises make me feel terrible.
Loud beeps, rumbling engines like howling wolves.
Thick foggy air, cold breeze.
Gas, all gasses, and dirty fumes.
I smell strange things that people eat.

I see an amazing tall building with a clock.
I feel weird because I am taller than anyone in London.
Sparkly,
alone.

And now
it’s all over… I feel scared
I hear a chain saw and people talking.
I feel the warmth of the factory.
Pure white.
I am being turned into a boat
I will see other boats and the sea
and smell wet fresh air.
I will be a fishing boat.
so I can see the ocean
and hear birds singing
and waves crashing against me,
smell fish,
smell blood.

And now I am a picture frame
a hut
a crucifix.

by Cheryl Moskowitz and year 6 schoolchildren


Cinquains and other poems

More than fifty years ago
a little tree starts to grow
it grows and grows and grows and grows
till its fresh leaves show.

We thank a lot to Mother Earth
as she travels through the sea.  (Ingrid)

A tree
sat quietly
Waiting to come and see
Our country, our city, our place.
London.     (Lewis)

Christmas
Presents of course
Don’t forget the dinner
And family togetherness
Good times.     (Alice)

Fresh trees
The star glistens
Positive attitude
Glistening stars shine out tonight
laughter     (Ingrid)

Queen tree
She’s amazing
She fills the land with joy
She is a gift for us from friends
Thank you.     (Yassin Akhatar)