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Brother and sister Ameer Hamza Khan, 14,
and Emma Khan, 16, with Michael Rosen |
Spellbinding performances by wizards of verse
YOUNG poets at a Chalk Farm school recited their verse at an annual poetry competition last Wednesday.
The 2007 Haverstock Poetry evening at Haverstock School showcased the 20 best poems from more than 350 entered for the contest.
The pupils worked with poet Kat Francois, who helped develop their verse.
Entries ranged from an ode to fast food to an anti-war tract.
Poet and broadcaster Michael Rosen, who judged the event, said: “This was the best Haverstock poetry evening I’ve been to in 30 years.
“The quality of performance, in particular, was terrific. Everyone was on top of their material.”
Mr Rosen added that this year’s poems showed a growing political awareness among young people.
We print two of the winning poems.
And This is an Anti-War Poem…
Our lives are led by deceit and lies
This leads to millions of unheard cries.
Everything isn’t all bless in the hood
I would run away and live another life if I could.
But I’m stuck here now; I’m used to this life,
I’m used to the hustle and the everyday strife.
I walk the streets, people look at me weird
Coz I carry a rucksack and I’m growing a beard.
But do I stop and look at you with an evil stare?
Do I comment on your clothes? Do I comment on your hair?
Innocent people are dying and no one seems to care.
You call me a terrorist, I say look at Tony Blair
Sending innocent people to fight for this unjust cause
So many innocent people dying coz of these illegal wars.
I turn on the tele and I see the latest news
Another bomb, another country being abused.
This war on terror seems to go on for infinity,
Bombing for peace is like f****** for virginity.
Fighting for justice is what these allies believe in
Even if it leads to more bloodshed and grieving.
These extremists who call themselves Muslims should be ashamed
But they cannot be the only people who are to be blamed.
These horrific wars are all a government creation
Taunting and bullying the weak into a retaliation.
I get abused simply due to the fact that I’m Asian
It just seems that the government hold no control over this nation.
Hamza Qayyum 12H
Killer of the Deep
Waking up eyes ready and alert, sparked by the gleaming sun,
That pours through the oceans heavy waves
Absorbed and misty it appears, yet the light still reaches me
Of this you’re all unaware.
Just passing through
Rainbow colours, murky waters
Seeking, hunting, willing to stay alive
Swimming, Swimming
Moments of tension, exchanged glances with the odd passer by.
Respected by many and feared by most
Have a reputation of killing yet I do not boast,
For I am ashamed of what I have to do
No-one understands this creature of the blue.
I don’t intentionally rip my prey
From limb to limb, while blood trickles down its skin
Every day a new victim
Every day a growing reputation.
And there she is, all alone… I swim closer
So beautiful she is her golden fins… still swimming closer
Reflecting the sunlight glistening and beautiful… Sneaking nearer
An emblem orange a jewel shining with pride… creeping faster
Her small children by her side
Closer… and closer… AND
She’s seen me, the chase is on
Furiously chasing,
Anticipating,
Both hearts pounding,
Clock is ticking,
Surroundings just colours whizzing,
Twisting,
Gliding,
Turning,
A delicious fresh smell of fear,
My body burning,
Now she’s stopping?!?!?!… two rocks in her path her freedom they are blocking.
Cornered and helpless… yet once again I swim closer
Her eyes dazzling reflecting pain,
My eyes glaring, dangerous with anger,
The sorrow leaking out of her,
My heart sinks like the anchor of a ship
Burdened with a deep surge of guilt,
Yet I know I must…
It’s done
Enclosed in a cloud of sinister red blood
I turn towards the dazzling yellow sun
Murderer,
Killer
a frightful figure.
Yet it is what I was made to become.
Another day and in search of more prey
No fixed place, just stalking, hunting in this big blue space
Not wanting this tag attached to me
But with no option the label I must keep
For I am the shark labelled:
Killer of the deep.
Emma Khan 12S
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