TheWorldWithinOurHeads
‘Formorethanfiveyears,I'vehadthebrillianthonourofworkingwiththe talentedanddedicatedCollageVoicesteam.Overthosehundredsofrewarding Saturdaymornings,I'vecoachedsomefantasticyoungcreativewritersintheartof makingmagicwithwordsandpoems.Thegrouphasconstantlyevolved,grownup andmovedon.Butonethingthathasstayedthesameistheirabilitytoproduce fantasticpoemsthatcapturethelives,beliefs,humourandgoalsofbeingyoung. Thisanthologyrepresentsthecurrentandmostrecentcohorts’wordwizardry.You willalsofindthepoembytheoriginalgroupthatwasshortlistedfortheJack Petchy2117Prizeaboutabetterfutureworldforall.Thesepastfiveyearshave beenspecialtomebecauseallthechildrenhavebeenbeensotalentedandspecial intheirownuniqueway.’
–PaulLyalls,PoetandCreativeWritingTutor
‘Watchingthenextgenerationofartistsandpoetsemergingisabeautifulwayto spendeachSaturdaymorning.Iamsoproudoftheworkthesewonderfulyoung peopledelightuswitheveryweek.Thisanthologyisaselectionofthatwork, whichIamsurewillenrichyoursoulandremindusallofthepowerofwordsand thoughtsinyouthfulhands.’
–SteveMedlin,ArtisticDirector
‘Ithasbeenagreatpleasuretoeditandproducethispoetryanthology.Seeingmy writinginprintwhenIwasinprimaryschoolwasaformativemomentinmyown creativewritingjourney,andIfeelimmenselyprivilegedtobeapartofcreating thatforthesetalentedyoungwriters.Ihopethesepoemsinspireyoutoexpress youruniqueindividualityasbravelyasourpoets,inwhateverformthattakesin yourownlife.’
–RocioRodriguez-Inniss,WriterandCollageVoicesAdministrator
TheWorldWithinOurHeads
acollectionofpoemsbyCollageVoices’CreativeWriters2023
Copyright©2024CollageArts,CollageVoices’CreativeWriters2023.Allrightsreserved. PublishedbyCollageArts,London,www.collage-arts.orgwithfundsfromtheJackPetcheyFoundation.
Whatapoemisnot
byAriannaG.
Apoemisnotanairportthatfliestodifferentcountries, apoemisnotanescapefromschool, apoemisnotahappytime, apoemisnotaballoflove, apoemisnotaworldoffluffyunicorns, apoemisnotamouthgettingreadytoeat, apoemisnotabelief, apoemisnotayoungchildeatingicecream, apoemisnotayogalesson, apoemisnotafantasy but–itcanbelikeone.
Writingthewordsonthispage
byElysia
Thepenthatmovesindifferentways thinkingofwhatwillcomenext jugglingthingstomakeitwork thewhiteblanknessbeingtransformed intoawholepoem intosomethingfascinating thelinesfinallyforming writingalastlinetomakeitend.
Poetrytous
byElysia,Zoe,Akari,Mariella,Maia,andMaevy
Poetryissparklesinmymindandonmyfingertips, poetrysetsmefreefrommycage, poetryletsmebemyself-mytrueself, poetryismycalmplace, poetryhelpsmefocusmymind, poetryiseverythinginafewwords.
Exploringrepetition
Lifeislike...
byMaevy
Lifeislikelemonade, cold,sweetandatouchofsour.
Lifeislikeafairytale, italwayshasahiddenmeaning andtherearewitchesaroundthecorner.
Lifeislikealeopard, beautifulbutfierce.
Lifeislikeathunderstorm, anarrayofcolours butdeadlyifyougooutside.
Lifeislikeasink, itwashesbadthingsdownthedrain.
Lifeisliketheinternet, youcanexploreforalifetimeandnotfindanythingofuse.
Lifeislikeastorybook, italwayshas‘TheEnd’.
ThankYouforaLot
byAkari
Givethankstomytoothbrushforkeepingmyteethwhite, givethankstostrawssowecanargueiftheyhave1or2holes, givethankstobonesforkeepingusupright, givethankstoshoesforpreventingusfromsteppingondogpoop, givethankstoeverythingformakinguspossible.
Excusesforbeingrude
byMartha
Ididn’tmeantoberude, butIwastakinginstructionsfromamonkey. Ididn’tmeantoberude, butIthoughtyouwereahologram. Ididn’tmeantoberude, butahurricaneblewmeandIaccidentallypushedmyfriend. Ididn’tmeantoberude, buttheRomanEmpireinspiredme.
Ididn’tmeantoberude, becauseattitudeisart.
Ididn’tmeantoberude, butitisthetimeofyearwhenapplesfallonyourhead.
Ididn’tmeantoberude, butthelightningthiefstolemykindness.
Ididn’tmeantoberude, butIcan’tdresstoimpress.
Goingtoastrangeplace
byAriannaG.
I’mwalkingonarainbow, I’mslidingdownagiantgummybear.
Iambalancingonawobblyfish, Iamswingingonagiant'sleg.
I’mswingingthroughmeltedchocolate, I’msneakingpastaguineapig. Iamhidingfromadoughnut, Ineedtoreachthetop.
Realornotreal?
byRyan
Inthedesertofconfusion, youimaginecrazythingsthataren’tactuallythere. Inthedesertofconfusion, yourunintoloadsofcactibutcan’tfeelathing.
Inthedesertofconfusion, fictioncomesintorealityandrealitybecomesfiction.
Inthedesertofconfusion, differentuniversesbecomeone.
Inthedesertofconfusion, creatureslikescorpionsareasuglyasanogre. Inthedesertofconfusion, itisasblankasapieceofpaperandspace.
Excuses
fornoteatingmyvegetables
bySimone
Icouldn'teatmyveg, Becauseasnakewasguardingmyplate! Icouldn'teatmyveg, becauseaRobotthrewittothemoon! Icouldn'teatmyveg, becausethewindblewitaway! Icouldn'teatmyveg, becauseIwasdancingalldaywiththeDancingGirl! Icouldn'teatmyveg, becauseIaccidentallypaintedthemwhite, andIcouldn'tseethemontheplate! Icouldn'teatmyveg, becauseaghostmadetheminvisible! Icouldn'teatmyveg, becausetheyarenotkissable!
MakingfishcakesfortheQueen
byAriannaG.
Ineedfishcakes likethestarsneedspace, andastronautsneedair, likeahairdryerneedshair. Ineedluck likeapillowneedsabed, plantsneedwater, andamumneedsadaughter. Ineedajumper liketheLondonEyeneedstoturn, andLondonneedsaQueen, likeamirrorneedstobeseen.
Ineedtohidefrommybrothers likeamovieneedsahappyending, andanoteneedssending. Ineedrainbowsinthesky likeadogneedsbellyrubs, andIliketoeatice-creamtubs.
Ondoing
Playing byAriannaG.
Greatdays,adventurousdays,unforgettabledays, akaleidoscopeofadventuresinmymind. Thekaleidoscopetakesovermymind, theatrefromanotherdimension.
Nature-filleddaysofhappiness, andadiscoveryofanimalswithfunnytalents. Callingallartists, weneedmoreart! Onetriptothezoojustwon’tdo.
FindingaTamagotchiinmysafe byZoe
Longlostbaby, Iamsoworriedlikeanymotherwouldbe. Myelectricalpetfriend, sweatspreadsacrossmyforehead. Missingmetryingtofeedit, mysmallfeetaresore. Mybabyneedsme, never-endinglookingforsweetbabywithresilience. Mysmallfeetaresore,mychildneedsme, finallyreunitedbylookinginagloomyplace, Ispymylovedone. It’sworldcontinued, Icanbefree.
Jugglingbadly
byMariella
Throwingballsskywardsbutnotcatchingthem, tryingtohavenewskillbutcatching,maybeitisnotforme. ItisveryhardbecauseIcan’tcatchthem IcanthrowbutIcan’tcatchso... ...Icandoitwithoneball! Ijustputitinonehandandcatchitwiththeother.
Beingsnitchedon
by
Ryan
Sneaky spokenwords magicallyflowthroughamouthtoanear. Asecrethasbeenrevealed. Metryingtolietomymum falsewordstransfertoher neverworksitalwaysleadstoashout. Finallyfinishesbutthen happensoveragain.
Pretendingtobeacelebrity
byMariella
Dressingupinglitteryglitterdresses, puttingonsillythingstojazzitup.
Imaginingthatthebedisastage, mystuffedtoysaremygorgeousfans.
DreamingthatonedayIwillreallybefamous, peoplewillthrowmoneyandrosesonme.
Letmetellyouabout…
Babyburps
byMariella
Loudstrangenoisescomingoutofthebaby’smouth, abitlikearhinostomping. Anechocomingfromaholeandaminiperson. Theydon’tsmellgood,atall.
Aguitaroutoftune, atoddlercryingforhours, itiscrazy.
Popping,ploppingnevereverstopping! Ifyousmellityouwouldwanttogetoutofthecountry.
FartingHistory
byConnor
ARoman’sbottommakingrudenoises likethisswordslicingpaper, afartispartofthemysteryofhistory. ThesorrowfuldeathsduringWorldWar2, afartislikethereleaseofacanontoo. Thesmellysettlingsubtlerelease, historyneverends, afartdoesbutwillcomeandgo. Wewillneverforgetaboutit.
Isawablackswan by
AmelíIvyB.C.
swimmingacrossalake movingswiftlyacrossthewater inacountryfaraway surroundedbyturtles blackfeatherywingsofmajesty seeminglymagical withoutacareintheworld
Wantingtogotosleep
byRyan
Closingmyeyesanddriftingfaraway (notnear)
Farawayfromtherealwakingworld (planets)
WorldsloomingoverasIsnore ( )
Snoringmywayintomyhopesanddreams (magicalthoughts)
Dreamsthatmakeanythingpossible (youcandoit)
Possiblethingsthatyou’llneverimagine (thinking)
Imaginingthefictionintotherealworld (wherewelive)
Realworldwakemeupwhenyouneedme!
2023theyearofme!
byElysia
Indiabecomesthefourthcountrytoreachthemoon andformesecondaryschoolishappeningalltoosoon technologyisnowbecominganoverload AIisslowlybutsurelytakingovertheglobe whileIswitchfromaniPhoneseventoaniPhoneeleven.
Theworldgetsseriousaboutchangingtorenewableenergy
Ifindmyselfanewrenewablefriendshipsynergy andformesecondaryschoolishappeningalltoosoon
AmericanjetfightersintersectaChinesespyballoonthatisdrifting overthesea whileI’msingingtolittlemermaid;underthesea andsecondaryschoolishappeningtoosoonforme
Fourchildrenspend40dayssurvivingaloneintherainforest whileIamsurvivingthefirstdayofmysecondaryschoolquest.
Books bySimone
Everypageislikethewingofabird, withthepowertotakeyoutoanimaginaryworld. Withoutthem,wewouldn'thavespecialbooks thatmakeyouwanttoreadmore, thatopenuplikeawindoworadoor or,justlikeeverynewday–youcanreadoneinMay. Theyhavealottosay.
Agirlwholovesadventure
byAmelíIvyB.C.
Agirlwholovesadventurehastomoveto townleavingherforesthouse. Butwillalwaysfindadventureswithherfriends. Aprophecytoll(firewillsavetheclans).
Acatwhoventuresintheforest findsfriendsandenemies,andbattleswiththeshadow. Air,Earth,Waterand?Fire. Embersdancinginthesky. Playful,fullofpassionandanger.
Onfeeling
byMariella
childdistractors
flyingactors
summerdancer
prettyanswer
loversofpollen neverfallen
heartshapedwings nevereatsthings
cuteantennae
flyingby fromacocoon gonetosoon
Beingunderwater
byAriannaG.
Beneaththewaterfeelingworried tryingtoswiminsplashing listeningtothesilence holdingmybreath.
Listeningtoallofthesilence Icanfeelmybreath tryingnottobeworried hearingthenoiseofsplashing.
Thenoiseofsplashing–Don’tbeworried
Theechoofsilence–Keep holding your breath.
Anotherday,anotherdestiny
byMartha
Experiences,wehavesomany theworldwillfollowyou lovetherecordofyourmemories tocreateabeautifulsoul.
Timeisart youareart youarelostinaperpetual breakingglassheartcabaret.
Ican’tsmashinanewlight Iamnotachildanymore Iwasarevolutionarychild andathinkingopera
Guess what?
Topofthemountain
byMaevy
Westandinshockandwonder, thesunshinesourfacesgolden. Itislikestories,theairisthickwithmagic andwestareattheendlessviews.
Thebeautydazzlesus,welovetheview, thereisinfinitespaceandinfinitemagic. Welaughintothesettingsuninwonder, smileslightingtheworldgold.
Weslidedownthemountain,ourheartsstillgolden, takingwithusoursenseofwonder. Itisgettingdark,butthereisstillmagic–theregoesourview.
Themagicisgone, soistheview, butthegoldenwonderwillstaywithusforever.
Monsterpoems
byElysia
IamShoellaandIamdifferent peoplesayI’mcrazy,butIammagnificent Iloveshoesandthat’smyhobby mypurpleskinisroundandblobby
Ilovemyshoehomestackedwithshoes thisismyreputationandIhavenothingtolose Ihavesixeyeswhicharebrilliantforseeing IamuniqueandI’mnotahumanbeing
Ihearpeople’scomplaintsaboutmybignose butIthinkI’mamodelsoIjustpose Iblabbertomyselfmostofthetime andIlovesour,sourlime
ThisismeandIamunique andIloveshoes,thisiswhatIseek.
Strussymypet
byAkari
Shelivesinthesky, myfriend,mypet, hernameis Strussy.
She’sarareuniquebutterfly, andhercoloursarebeautifulandbright, shespeaksEnglishandsmells likefairydust,andshewishes tocometoearthtoseemeagain.
Mr.SquigglyTV
byMaia
LittleMr.SquigglyTV
oh,oh,
poorMr.STV
helivesintheSwelmenForest, rightoutofreach, wherehehuntsdownhispeach, likealittleoldceech who?Mayyouask.
Mr.STVisgreen,stripeddownwithpink apurpleTValmostaburp.
Daggerclawsforteethandrotteneggsmell, tailtiedwithabow, andoffyougo... Goldi,thesun,respectshimthough or else hewillbeapeachjustlikeYOU.
AboutwhatIam
byAriannaG.
IamamonsterIknowthatiscrazy ImightbeamonsterbutIam stillsupercool. Ihatefireitjustmakes thingsworse I’minaforestthat nooneknowsabout Ithinkhumansarecoolbut monstersarebetter Ismellfoodbutwhatkind offood?
Ifeelhappybutsometimes Ifeelsad
Iseebrightcoloursbut neverdark
Iamdifferentbutitdoesnot meanIambad.
2117undreamed
byJill,Louis,Annabelle,Drew,Kyle&Alfi
Hasnothingchanged,
Willweallhavelivedinvain?
Waterlevelsrising,likeourcurrentpopulation. Ourcurrentstateofplayisdire,werequire,furtherinvestigation. Butthesescarsmayyetblessus Withthisrise,wecanrise,riseabove Andsurvive,ourdemise
Ifweopenoureyes...
Thingsdon’thavetobealwaysthesame Richland–wasteland, Weneedtochange,climatechange Weneedtorearrange.
It’stimetotakeaction,stopkillingnatureforourown satisfaction.
Plasticpollution,killingevolution,requiresauniversalsolution. Savethesnails,maketimeforthewhales.
Arewelivinginthenow?
Timetochangeourculture
Sortoutourfuture. Willwelettimejustpass,soitgetsworse?
Butifweholdhandstogetherwecanbreakthecurse
Becomeaoneworldteam, Let’schangethetheme
Tocreateadreamthatis2117.
Acknowledgments
2023CollageVoices’creativewriters
AriannaG.,Ryan,Maevy,Mariella,Akari,Connor,Elysia, Maia,Zoe,Martha,Simone,AmelíIvyB.C.
‘2117undreamed’writers
Jill,Louis,Annabelle,Drew,Kyle,Alfi
Editor,produceranddesigner
RocioRodriguez-Inniss
ThispoetryanthologyismadeupofworkproducedinCollage VoicesCreativeWritingsessionsledbyPaulLyallsandRocio Rodriguez-Inniss
Thankyouto:
TheJackPetcheyFoundationforcontinuingtosupportour CollageVoicesprogrammethroughtheirJackPetchey FoundationAchievementAwardsandothergrants.
AboutCollageVoices
CollageVoicesoffersaccesstohighqualitycreative,performing andmediatrainingataffordablepricesbasedoutofCollageArts inWoodGreen,London.
Alltutorsaredrawnfromtheprofessionalindustryandwork withinourin-housetheatreandsuiteofrecordingstudios.Our weekendclassesare£2.50eachwithfullbursariesavailable.
Ourweekdayprogrammesareasetofwideranginginitiatives connectingcommunitytocreativity.Upskillingandoffering newopportunitiesaswellaspathwaystofurthertrainingand employment,weseektogiveplatformstothosenottraditionally heardandtobringtheirstoriestoawiderpublic.
Intergenerationalandinterculturalworkisembeddedinallwe doincludingacommitmenttobreakingdownperceivedand tangiblebarriersresultinginnotjustamorecreativesocietybut alsogreatersocialcohesion.
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