Steven Herrick Virtual Poetry Slam

Steven Herrick is an award winning author of verse poetry books for children, and a performance poet.  Here is your chance to ‘slam’ Steven by sending in your poetry to us!

Thank you for your entries. Hope you can join in the activities next Summer Reading Club.

Below are two poems, Harry and The Lunchtime Cup Final from Steven’s forthcoming verse novel. Read Harry and write a short poem about what you would like to be when you grow up, and why.     

Read The Lunchtime Cup Final. In a short poem, describe Fishhead, Needlenose, Hutcho or any of the other colourful characters in the poem.  What do they look like, what are their interests, who are their friends?

Find out more about Steven Herrick’s books.

Harry

I thought it was a simple question, really.
Ms Arthur asked each of us to stand up, in turn,
and say what we want to be
when we grow up.
The first five students said
Teacher
then Rachel said
Pilot
and we went slowly around the class
Builder
Doctor
Truck driver
Writer
Vet
Architect
Soldier
and when it was my turn
I stood up
and in a very clear voice, said,
A Dad.
Everyone giggled
as if I’d said something rude,
or silly.
The bell rang for recess
and I sat down again,
red-faced and confused.
It was the truth.
I wanted to be a Dad.
I’ve never seen my dad
and I wouldn’t wish that
on anyone.

The Lunchtime Cup Final

Fishhead passed the ball to Baggo
who dribbled around Needlenose
and Blankbrain
before he was tackled by Curly
who kicked it upfield to Red
who flicked it across to Smelly
who wafted past two players
before unleashing a rocket shot
that Panther tipped over the bar for a corner.
Mr Williams (Willo) blew for half-time
so Duck and me ran to the bubbler for a drink
and I told him he’s going have to mark Wombat
or else we’ll lose for sure.
Duck nodded and said we’ve got to get the ball
to Sprocket because he’s faster than anyone on the field
except Snail who’s having a shocker.
Everytime he gets the ball, Lara Croft is onto him like a flash
and she’s the best defender they’ve got.
We hear Willo calling us for the second half,
Duck says,
give it to Hutcho, Crampo, or Dougo
but whatever we do,
keep it away from Nano.
He slaps me on the back
and says,
“Let’s go, Harry.”

Something tells me I need a nickname.

Slammed poems

Madison, age 10

‘Hurry up Madison’
‘Clean your room’
‘I want it spotless’
‘No things on the floor’
‘Look at your room,
It is a pigsty in here’
‘Hurry up’
‘Get started’

Jasmine, age 8

What I Want To To Be When I Grow Up...

M ake cars run
E ngine repairs
C an repair many things
H as lots of tools
A mazing workers
N ice service
I ncredible knowledge
C an give very big bills

Darien, age 11

Feeling sad

When you're feeling sad and bad
i am there so your are glad
you are nice and im your friend
i will be there till the end
when you are down and feeling blue
you know i'll be there for you

friends are forever
boys are whatever!!!

Sacha, age 11

Valentine's Day

This poem I have written to Say
Have a Happy Valentines Day
You are ever so sweet
Chocolates would be neat
I love you with all my heart so
Please don't make me fart!!!

Georgia, age 11

I’ll Be There

When no one’s there to hold your hand
I’ll be there, I’ll understand
When you’re lost and scared and all alone
I’ll take you in, you’ll be my own
If you’re worried, if you’re sad
I’ll rock you gently “Shh don’t feel bad”
No matter what I’ll care for you
I’ll hold you tightly when you feel blue
When you’re tired and lying in bed
I’ll kiss you lightly on your head
If you’re sick I’ll nurse you better
I’ll wrap you up in a knitted sweater
I’ll cuddle you close to my heart
So nothing will ever tear us apart
I’ll stand by your side, I’ll fight and defend
Just promise me you’ll always be my friend

Rachel, age 14

Time

You drain away like nobody’s business
Everyone seems to have none of you
Apart from when they have all of you
Wasting you
Spending you
They’ve got you
But they don’t have you
Using you wisely
Using you inappropriately
Managing you, badly or well
Can’t you help but feel manipulated?
Changing you, bending you, warping you
Stopping you
Using you for their experiments
Needing you
Wanting you
Cutting you up into smaller pieces
Bits of you, here and there
Giving you
Taking you
But,
Amazingly,
You are constant
You persist
You remain the same,
Regardless of what’s happening
You are needed
Without you
We would exist forever
Whilst never existing at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabriella, age 12

eyes like a shining green tea cup...eyes like a shining green tea cup in the sud filled world of washing up water.
Lips like dew filled roses... like dew filled roses in the magnificent world of make believe.
Hair that never ceases to take on a new identity, one day its sleek and all secret agent like, the next its all wild,curly and happy go lucky like.
friends are plentiful for this ever changing happy go lucky/secret agent girl named Curly, her talents are many and varied, too many to name.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Lizzie, age 12

When I grow up I'll be a vet,
I'll be the best vet anyone will have ever met,
I'll care for all animals, slim or thick,
Healthy or sick,
Strong or weak,
Arrogant or meek,
Give them needles and pills,
And give the owners BIG bills!

~~~~~~~~~~~