The new school year is underway across Australia. It returns each year while summer still rages across the breadth of our island continent. That first month is both exciting and challenging for all.
In keeping with the topic, here are 3 poems encapsulating the various moods of the school playground. They are part of an extensive collection of school themed poems in search of a publisher...
Whispers From the Playground
Everyone was huddled in groups
Talking in whispers and mumbles
Mischa said that Michael and Lynda told her
That Siraj and Tony
Heard Annabel and Charlene
Telling Tiana and Sienna
That the story everyone is talking about
Involving Arlo and Tyrone and a packet of biscuits
Just isn’t true…
Someone,
They’re not sure who
Made it up
Just to stir up trouble
And make mischief.
I found myself totally confused
What’s the story?
…and, who the heck is Tony?
Alan j Wright
Small Boys in the Playground
Small boys in the playground
Merge
along the school’s fence line
Running
with sticks
Clattering
them against the wire.
-And
near the school’s front steps
More
boys trade football cards
Leaning
for a time side by side
Against
the wall of a classroom
Before
poking at the moss
Between
weathered bricks
They
discuss favourite hiding spots
Their
heads together in conspiracy.
They
work at winning each other's trust
With
conversations about
swapping
sandwiches and cake
Comparing
scabs and scrapes
While
their eyes search beneath the foot of the poplar trees
For
smooth stones
And
lost marbles.
Playtime
slips away
Like
oil held between the hands.
The
bell rings
Its
sound greeted with groans
Time
is up.
Alan j Wright
\
Playground Freak Show
Weldon Smully
Ate three pies
Two blueberry muffins
A large banana yoghurt
Then washed it all down
With a can of creamy soda
He followed this up with the second loudest burp ever heard
All the teachers in the staffroom heard it
You could have heard it in Kalamazoo
I reckon
Everybody laughed
We were all talking about Weldon Smully
A few minutes later…
-Veronica Harmonica
Said, Listen everyone I can touch my nose with my tongue!
Everyone gathered around Veronica to see if it was true…
She can do this
I reckon
Weldon Smully suddenly found himself standing alone
The playground freak show had moved on.
Three wonderful works, Alan! ‘…and, who the heck is Tony?” made me laugh. Funny how the playground freak show moves on so quickly! : )
ReplyDeleteThank you,Tracey. Glad my poems provided some reading fun.
DeleteAlan, I laughed outloud at your poems. They capture children's thoughts and social moments so perfectly. Your poems remind me of my friend George Gilmore's poems about tweens.( He goes by the name Doida-doidadabbles.com) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your generous response, Cathy. I shall definitely check out George Gilmore's work.
Delete:) Thank you for sharing these playground poems, a setting which indeeds brings forth a wide variety of emotion and experiences!
ReplyDeleteA gold mine of poetic possibilities, Irene.
DeleteAlan, these brought back many smiles of recognition!!!! You have captured the pathos of the playground with humor and empathy. "The playground freak show had moved on." so captures how the playground population and drama is ever-changing. Thank you! Hope you find a publisher soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mona. Your comments are much appreciated. They give me hope.
DeleteYou certainly captured what often "is" on the playground, Alan. As my students came back from recess, I would catch a few words, like "Did you see?" or "She was perfect. . ." I wanted to ask more but knew if I did, they would stay quiet next time! Love that "freak show" competition! Best of luck finding publication! Linda B
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. The playground is a wonderful source for poetic possibilities. My grand-daughter, age 6 is providing me with regular updates.
DeleteNo one can say you don't know kids, Alan. Love the details in these that put the reader inside the playground. Clattering sticks against wires, poking moss between bricks. A few more of these and you might find a. publisher?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice. Your words are much appreciated. I write on in hope.
DeleteThere is never any shortage of playground drama to write about, for sure! I hope you find some publisher interest, Alan...
ReplyDeletePlayground drama is ever present in the lives of children and teachers, Heidi, that's for sure.
DeleteThese are colorful poems that paint the playground perfectly, thanks! I have always loved the way kids will create their own play, make up games with complex rules. Especially without adults nosing in…
ReplyDeleteYour comments are most pertinent regarding creative play, Doida. I am in full agreement. Thank for the feedback on the poems-much appreciated.
DeleteYou perfectly captured the gossip on the playground, Alan. And Weldon Smully! What a name!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. Glad you appreciated Weldon. I'm at pains to tell young writers to invest time in giving characters names that won't be forgotten. I'm fascinated by distinctive names. I frequently experiment with possibilities.
DeleteAlan, I love the feelings present in the boys on the playground poem. Just precious! And how Weldon Smully finds himself standing alone is so funny! We used to call the impressive antics you describe as the playground freak show "Stupid human tricks".
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise. Your comments buoy me. I really like your characterization of those playground antics as 'Stupid Human Tricks.' Let's face it, there were quite an array...
DeleteThese poems are wonderful and capture so many nuances of life on the playground--a rich material source! I had to laugh out loud when your narrator asked "and, who the heck is Tony?" lol
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your comments, Molly. Glad you had a laugh.
DeleteI was the mother of those two boys at the back of the schoolyard fence building trust and searching for smooth stones. --And I'm just wondering... Who had the first-loudest burp? :)
ReplyDeleteIt's always a pleasure to hear someone indicate a sense of connection with the words you are sharing, Patricia. 'Firsts' are an intriguing considerations-always and forever. They occur through our respective lives, but are particularly relevant to our formative years.
DeleteYou've captured some of the universal school moments, no matter the country. Kids are kids.
ReplyDeleteThe universality of these school experiences is important, Mary Lee, so thank you for noting this.
DeleteAlan, your post took me back to my years as a teacher on the playground. Your "Small Boys in the Playground" brought back so many memories of students -- of myself -- experiencing the passing of carefree time when one is just learning to be. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLike you, Tim, I found my mind referencing the school life from the perspective of both the child and my teaching experiences. Thank you for your response, and you're quite right, it was a time when we were attempting to discover exactly who we were.
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