Spring Competition: Poetry Finalists

Having reviewed over 250 entries for the Spring competition, we have identified the top 20 Finalists, and you can read all of the poems below. The Winners will be selected from this group, and announced in a podcast episode on May 11th. In the meantime, you can hear all twenty poets reciting their poems in our three special bonus episodes: Bonus episode 1; Bonus episode 2; and Bonus episode 3.

If you entered the competition and did not make the Finalist list on this occasion, please know that we really appreciate you taking part, and we encourage you to “keep rhyming” by writing poetry. We hope that you will enter more poetry into the Summer competition when it opens at the end of May. Sign up for our Poem-A-Week email to receive full details as soon as they are available.


Category: Age Under 9

“Spring” by Jack

In the Spring, there are flowers.
The bees think they are sour.
They sting with lots of power.
I see birds up in the sky
with my little eagle eye.
They fly so high.
”Bye,” I say to the birds.
”Bye. Bye.”

 

“The Paper Plane” by Caitlin

We made a paper aeroplane.
It didn’t fly that high…
It went sharply up, then sharply down,
and straight into my eye!?
We tried throwing it from the window,
hoping height would make the difference.
Unfortunately, though it started well,
it wound up in the fence!
You might think we did not have fun,
flying that paper plane.
But you would be mistaken – we would do it all AGAIN!!

“Spring” by Amy

The trees have had no leaves,
and the skies have been grey.
The seas have been rough.
Rocks covered in spray

Now skies are getting brighter.
The buds are on the trees.
The winds are getting lighter.
The flowers swarm with bees.

Colourful as a rainbow.
Beautiful as new life being born.
Chicks fluffy as a pillow.
Spring’s rose-fingered dawn.

 

“Hare Today” by Emily

Hare today, gone tomorrow.
The rabbit came, with no sorrow.
Hare tomorrow, gone today.
The rabbit just hopped away.

Hare today, then gone back.
The rabbit will keep coming back.
Gone back, then hare.
The rabbit is doing a dare.

Hare today, then ran out.
The rabbit leaves without a doubt.
Hare today, and is staying.
The rabbit is playing and playing.

Hare today, quick as a flash.
The rabbit runs in a dash.
Hare today, hare tomorrow.
The rabbit is eating sorrel.

Gone today, gone tomorrow.
We feel great sorrow.
Gone tomorrow, gone today.
The rabbit hasn't had a play.


Category: Age 9-10

“Spring” by Frida

Flowers Blooming.
Warm Sun Shining.
Birds Flying
all around.
Animals peek out of dens
and see...
no more snow
is on the ground!
I come out of my house.
A bumblebee flies by.
What a fuzzy little thing!
They come out at Spring.
I touch it,
but ouch!
A sting!
I regret touching that thing.

 

“Majestic Spring” by Joseph

Oh how I love the majestic Spring.
A baby bird with a flapping wing,
A pigeon, did you know,
gives her baby milk to help it grow.

I scatter the nutty bird feed.
A bird sweeps in with eyes of greed.
She stands there looking at me.
The pup barks like a yelp of glee.

I walk past the great old farm.
It's lamb-mania inside the barn.
How I love the majestic Spring.
Oh how it makes me want to sing.

“Spring Is Here” by Zion

Spring is here, Spring is here.
Winter is gone, flowers appear.
Three birds begin to sing.
Four bicycles begin to ring.
Five children jump the rope.
Spring is here. I hope, I hope.

“Spring Hedgehog” by Joseph

The little sharp spikes are pricking off its back.
Its clawed tiny paws leave a muddy patterned track.
Its sleepy shiny face rustles up the leaves
as the wind whips and cracks the tall blossoming trees.
The cute sparkling eyes look up at the sheep
and the hedgehog sees the end of a Winter sleep.

 

“Spring With My Family” by Cali

Movie night was a blast.
It went really fast.
Sweets, chocolate, popcorn galore.
It left us wanting so much more!

Our water fight occurred the next day.
Heart pounding, tummy turning, I was ready to play.
Soon enough the battle had begun.
Neighbours could hear the laughter, it was so much fun.

Hands hurting, palms sweating, I began to mix,
flour, sugar, eggs-my mum taught me all the tricks.
Mix it, pour it, crack an egg or two.
Sweat trickling down, tummy roaring, they’re ready-phew!

Roll a dice, get a six, that’s what we hope for.
Little did we realise the family was soon at war.
Scream, cries, stamping of feet.
and that was just my dad at his terrible defeat!

 

Category: Age 11-12

“Where Is God?” by Dylan

‘Where is God?’ the people say,
as the bombs fall,
and the cities crumble.
As the children starve,
and their tummies rumble.
As the air we breathe chokes us,
and the icebergs melt.
As the Earth burns,
and our fears are felt.
As people kill,
and the streets are full of dangers.
As we live our lives,
and our neighbours become strangers.

‘Where is hope?’ the people say,
as the sun rises,
and the birds sing.
As the moon and stars shine,
and Winter turns to Spring.
As children laugh and play,
and friendships are made.
As music fills the day,
and our fears begin to fade.
‘Here is God’ the people say.

 

“The Spring Tree” by Noah

Strong and silent, I stand alone,
towering over the humans’ homes.
Flowers blooming upon me.
I am the Spring Tree.

Watching from my grassy hill,
spreading Spring warmth to all.
I'm sure the bees'll agree.
I am the Spring Tree

Spreading life to all that's dead.
Watch the rainbow of life begin to spread.
Release all who cower from Winter.
Let the spirit of Spring enter.
I am, for all to see.
I am the Spring Tree.

“What is Spring?” by David

Flowers are Spring.
Beautiful blooms slowly opening.

What is Spring?
Baby birds are Spring,
hatching from eggs with soft feathered wings.

What is Spring?
Buzzing bees are Spring,
dancing on flowers as the birds sing.

What is Spring?
New life is Spring.
Miracles of nature about to begin.

 

“February” by Josephine

The cold breeze brings you the warmest feeling.
The ever green bushes bloom flowers you never knew were there.
The pond becomes the blue sky's mirror.
The top of the tallest tree in its reflection.
The wind howls as winter writes its last love letter.
The smell of pollen is calling to the flower beds.
The warmth has woken from its nap.
The angels are lying on cotton clouds.
They're painting the sky the color of flower crowns.
The uncut grass smells freshly mowed.
The snow queen has gone to rest.
The call of spring in a winter kissed chrysalis.

“Spring Makes Me Sing” by Huda

Spring
What a wonderful thing!
I love jumping in puddles,
and blowing big fat bubbles.
My dad loves planting tomatoes
while I’m getting bitten by tiny mosquitoes

A slight breeze that cools me down
while I’m running around.
There are beautiful flowers everywhere,
especially right there!

The only thing
that I don’t like about spring
is…
the cleaning.
I don’t really get the meaning
of spring cleaning

During spring,
you should have fun,
and run,
and play with friends.
But that’s not the end!

You can have barbecues with your family.
Eating happily.
There’s even more to do,
but that’s totally up to you!

 

“Spring” by Jessica

When cherry blossoms fly in the warm spring breeze.
That is Spring to me.
Yet I wonder,
what is Spring to you?

When children play and shriek with joy.
That is Spring to me.
Yet I wonder,
what is Spring to you?
When trees are bright and full of life.
That is Spring to me.
This is Spring to me,
but you see,
what is Spring to you?

Ask yourself.
Search deep inside.
Think back to when you were happy.
Is it the long days spent outside in the good Spring weather?
Is that Spring to you?
Is it staring deep into the azure sky?
Is that Spring to you?
Is it when new life is born and old life deceased?
Is that Spring to you?
Was it when birds harmonise and nature sings?
Is that Spring to you?

Even though again and again I wonder.
The days I have spent deliberating.
I still don’t know.
What is Spring to you?
Then swiftly I see.
Spring is you and me.


Category: Age 13-17

“The Last Day of Spring” by Aryan

During Spring times, yawn goes to flee.
Jovial the only thing you will see,
but my assertion went wrong when the mirror looked at me.
I found the only thing which seemed sully.
Alas! My mind was not so Spring.

I went to the attic, to search for sorrow,
I wondered what made my happiness hollow.
My eyes got it. I realize my pain will grow,
the vicinity I see today might not be tomorrow.
Oh! It was the last day of Spring.

My lips cried: why this moment has to die?
When faces are jolly why let eyes cry?
Why can’t you change this bitter truth into a sweet lie?
Why don’t you answer? Please tell why –
You have to kill this Spring.

I wonder how the mirror turned wise?
It told me – it is no good to despise.
If one phase is sunny other maybe ice.
Remember rain always settles and the sun always rises.
The same way it goes with Spring.

So, why rued your mood on the last day of Spring!
Why shut your ears! The bells still ring.
Why moan when the environment sings!
Hence, be optimistic and widen your wings –
for this another day of Spring.

 

“The Spring’s Smile” by Akubueze

You are here again troublemaker.
This time, I won't let you go so soon,
because you make me blush.
Even the flower knows what I'm talking about.
Even leaves are throwing itself for you,
like you are some royalty.
If you can make me blush,
I guess my smile has changed into the Spring's smile

When I called you a troublemaker,
I wasn't lying at all.
because you make me lazy,
and wanting to go on vacation.
You tease me with your warmness.
Oh I really want to go on a picnic,
and smile the spring's smile

I kept smiling all day to jokes,
and forgetting that time flies.
But when you arrived,
my day lengthens a lot,
and I smile to no jokes at all,
because I have been infected with
the Spring's smile

“Spring” by Abbie

Hopping and frolicking,
playing and gobbling.
That’s what Spring bunnies do.

Cheeping and crying,
singing and soaring.
That’s what Spring birdies do.

Buzzing and twinkling,
crawling and squirming.
That’s what Spring buggies do.

Bending and swaying,
sprouting and growing.
That’s what Spring plants do.

Shining and laughing,
lighting and warming.
That’s what Spring sun rays do.

Jumping and rolling,
loving and learning,
That’s what Spring children do.

 

Category: Over 17

“A Spring In Our Steps” by Melissa

Let’s step outside and step into Spring.
The beautiful season the daffodils bring.
Smell the flowers as their scent fills the air.
Bees buzzing, help them grow everywhere,
as the plants blossom and bloom, you’ll see
just how beautiful nature can be.
Hear the birds all singing their song,
and the whirling wind whistling along.
Feel the sun gently warming our cheeks,
or raindrops dancing round our feet.
Then, with a spring in our steps, home we go,
thanking Spring for this wonderful show.

 

“The Little Bulb” by Colleen

Through the winter, fast asleep.
Beneath the hard and frozen ground.
Planted down, so very deep.
The Little Bulb makes not a sound.

Now something changes, something stirs.
The Little Bulb begins to grow.
As the sun smiles down upon the earth,
and warms the frozen soil below.

She stretches, yawns, then reaches up.
Pushing now with all her might.
Her shoots like arms move through the soil,
until she breaks through into light.

At last her petals open up.
She turns her face to greet the sun.
A Shining Daffodil at last!
Another Spring has just begun.