NationalPoetryDay A Poetry Anthology
On 2nd October, all year groups took part in a school-wide challenge to celebrate National Poetry Day, exploring this year’s theme of play. Throughout the day, pupils were encouraged to think creatively about what play means to them, from games and imagination to friendship, freedom, and joy. Each year group approached the theme in their own unique way, experimenting with language, rhythm, and imagery to bring their ideas to life. It was inspiring to see pupils of all ages fully embrace the challenge, expressing themselves with enthusiasm and creativity, and producing a wonderful collection of thoughtful, humorous, and imaginative poems.
In addition to this, pupils enjoyed a Blackout Poetry Challenge in the Library, crafting poems from selected text extracts, and members of the Poetry Club wrote poetic pieces inspired by the autumn season.
Please enjoy this selection of poems curated by members of the John Lyon community, each exploring the concept of play.
Miss Waller
Giggles skips across the air, sunlight frolicking everywhere. The ball is tossed, the chase starts, The hours vanish, night comes at last.
Rules are sketched, broken and remade Joy sparks, some arguments shade.
A cardboard box, tall as a castle, Kids scavenging for an abandoned parcel.
Play is freedom, brilliant and untamed, A child's way to imagined fame.
Even at adult age, Play will always find its way.
Burhan (Year 9)
Play with queens
Play with kings
Play with pawns, The small things.
Play with laughter,
Play with light,
Turn the day
Into the night.
Play with shadows,
Play with sun,
Play is freedom, Play is fun.
Matis (Year 10)
Play the Game
Running and jumping, Laughing and shouting.
Birds calling overheadThe ball curves and arches.
The game is in motion, A riotous commotion –
The goal is in sight.
Such teamwork in play.
By
the Upper Sixth
Ruffling, frolicking in the midst of verdant blades, Hidden ('hind the cover of the green, green glades,)
A watchful eye perceives, Hidden among the leaves, A rabbit and a hare.
Similar by sight,
different by heart, Seemingly the same, but altered part by part.
Unity in play, the highlight of their day, Together, unified, but soon to be apart.
Amaroo (Year 11)
Passing the ball down the field!
Laughter as the player scores!
Athletes shouting at each other!
Yelling with triumph as they scored again!
Keertan (Year 7)
Kicking the ball with all my might
Seeing the goal in sight
Dribbling with focus
Skilling up people like hocus pocus,
Ibrahim (Year 7)
Last man standing, Puffing and panting, He starts to sprint, In his eyes a glint, He ducks and rolls, Wishing time would hold, And he gets past, He’s very fast, Cheering him on, Memories really do weigh a ton.
Min Foh (Year 9)
The chalk line fades on the pavement stone A map to kingdoms built by me alone. I hear the ghost of a bouncing ball, The endless, reckless, freedom of a fall. We built a fort from kitchen chairs, Defending secrets from adult cares. A pirate ship on a carpet sea, A simple, pure powerful pretence of play. No rulebook read, no score to keep, Just promises the sunshine made us keep.
Tejan (Year 9)
At John Lyon, we love to play, Out on Sudbury Fields, some might say.
Music, Drama and Art Club too,
Over one hundred activities and things to do!
Ambition, Innovation, Creativity, Resolve, Showcasing our values as the games evolve.
Challenging ourselves to be the best we can be, Stet Fortunas Domus, Proud Lyonians we!
Anonymous