Christmas poetry anthology 2016

The Moulsford English Department proudly presents:

Christmas Poetry 2016

Contents The Night Before Christmas by Harry Bush (8M) A Winter Wonderland by Sam Webber (8R) A Lonely Snowman and his Red-Breast Friend by Ed Thorne (8E) The Present by Stevie Rankin (7T) It’s Christmas - by Alex de Beer (7GW) The Different Sides of Christmas by Harry Henderson (7HW) The Work of Christmas by Theo McCluskey (6B) Santa’s Night Out by Jack Summerley (6F) Christmas Eve by Owen Chetwood (6E) The Reindeer Journey by Jack Prior (5S) Midnight Sky by Max O’Farrell (5L) It’s Time by Theo Pettigrew (5O) Christmas Excitement by Matthew Buabeng (4GS) Christmas by Thomas DuBuisson (4CS) A WW1 Christmas Truce by Jools Buckett (4C) Christmas is… by Max Sheriff (3RS) I Like Christmas by Charlie George (3C) Icy Christmas by Arlo Ward (3N) Christmas Acrostic Poem (Lions) Bells Acrostic Poem by Max Ainge (Leopards) Our Nonsense Christmas Poem (Tigers)

Introduction Casting my eye over last year’s Christmas anthology, there are many themes that return in this marvellous collection of poems: reindeers; Father Christmas; snowmen; Christmas dinner; thoughts of others; peace; and, of course, presents!

However, there are two themes this year that standout. Firstly, for the older boys in particular, there appears to be a fascination with the winter landscape.

The backdrop of winter, snow and ice pervades through many poems. However, unlike Narnia, which CS Lewis describes as being “always winter but never Christmas”, our boys’ winter scenes are alive with wonderful Christmas imagery.

Indeed, the landscapes, backdrop and imagery all point towards our second theme: joy and excitement. Harry Bush has a good go at trying to define these emotions as he writes about an “ecstatic feeling of utmost animation.” However, I also love the purity and simplicity of Owen Chetwood’s language as he sums up the anticipation felt by children everywhere: “I’m so excited, I can’t wait for Christmas Day!” This sense of ‘Christmas Excitement’ (the title of Matthew Buabeng’s poem) is especially poignant if you read the anthology in reverse, with the younger years really engaging with the joy and fun of Christmas through some wonderful, heart-warming poems.

The vocabulary and imagery in this anthology cannot but impress, and our boys continue to display a sense of creativity and turn of phrase that will leave the reader with a smile on their face. Consider, for example, Alex de Beer’s wonderful line: “Carols tickle the back of my mind.” As I have mentioned in previous anthologies, this creative thought is only the tip of the iceberg of the talent on display every day in the English classrooms at Moulsford.

I encourage you to take some time this festive period to enjoy the work of our young poets. I do hope that you are able to pick up on some of that Christmas excitement, and wish you all a merry Christmas!

Mr Martin Head of English

8M - The Night Before Christmas by Harry Bush Coming back from the Christingle service, Singing with buoyant laughter; We ascend to our beds without a thought, Apart from Santa, thereafter.

That ecstatic feeling of utmost animation, Of charged emotions within your mind: The night that leaves so many sleepless, So many of mankind.

With the excited taste upon your tongue, Of mince pies, roast and wine.

Air with a whiff of hopefulness, Smelling; of fresh pine.

When the sounds of the calming fire, And the parents down below; Are suddenly, so much, That sleep you will forgo.

But just as your head begins to slip, Carol singers, start their song.

Still, you fall into a deep, deep sleep, Though their voices boom out strong.

Suddenly, with a great big crash, You wake up with a cry, Only to find that Santa’s come, And you. Weren’t there. To spy.

8R - A Winter Wonderland by Sam Webber Soft snowflakes float gently down Onto branches, droopy from snow, Onto a bridge of damp wood white from age, Carving an icy pathway leading into a winter wonderland.

Animal footprints lead languorously Into the tranquil forest, muffled by pressed powder.

The tree roots rise from the path like the knuckles of a wizened hand Gnarled and cracked by time.

A frozen stream flows strenuously Beside the decrepit, snowy path And under a crooked, icy bridge.

A world of white right under our fingertips Shining out, glistening, almost gloating Waiting to be explored.

8E - A Lonely Snowman and his Red-Breast Friend

by Ed Thorne My head is bare, My hat sits still, A red-breast friend Sits on thin-stick-arms.

My stone-cold eyes wander.

My scarf blows in the wind.

Oh! My friend! The fun of flight!

And I? Stuck alone, to sit, to melt.

My legs (what legs?) stuck in place, My nose a casually discarded date, Oh! My friend! Your freedom to travel Your wings spread free!

My body so colourless, My life so white.

Oh! Your brilliant colours!

Your life so bright!

7T - The Present by Stevie Rankin Flying through the night sky, It is time for me to drop, The wind is blowing past me, Howling at the stars, Freezing me, enveloping me in cold.

But I knew it had to be done.

No-one can be without a present.

I am dropped.

My body feels like it is being ripped in two, The pain is excruciating Radiating through my body.

Then, I land.

I’ve stopped.

It takes a while for me to regain my vision, But when I do there is a little boy, Gazing, intently, a face full of joy.

I am surrounded by lights, I am under a tree, I am the present on this Christmas Eve.

7HW - The Different Sides of Christmas by Harry Henderson Overnight, the snow drifts and leaves a trail of white, The Stars are shining brightly in the darkness of the night, The tree goes up, the leaves float down, Sparingly, quickly to the ground.

I would like a stocking Made for a giant, Filled with glorious toys, Then I would go, To Find the Desperate Girls and Boys.

Christmas is not happy for everyone, Christmas is not happy for everyone.

The romantic lights fill the world around me, Crimson reds, Emerald Greens, I look around and what I see; Children looking as excited as ever.

But not everyone is happy as larry There are some people who aren’t as fortunate.

No carols.

No fun.

No presents.

The day is drawing to a close, Adults are excited and children are delighted,

Children dreaming, Lights once beaming, Now switched off.

Don’t forget the parents cry, That very important mince pie, Or ‘he’ might not come, But ‘He’ creeps down and says ‘yum!’

His reindeers fly, float through the air, Dogs and cats they all scare!

The day has finally come!

Children rush down the stairs, With no care, All they want are their presents; How selfish.

They tear off the paper with such haste, All the magic gone to waste.

The food, the drink, they’re all put out, “Oh No!” they scream “it’s a brussell sprout!”

The tree looks so good all decorated, as all the adults idly chat, My Christmas is almost complete, Fun, Carols, Food, Drink.

But some have Nothing.

Remember that, So whilst you are having a nice Christmas, Others aren’t so fortunate.

7GW - It’s Christmas by Alex de Beer The fire crackling against the voices, Its sound echoing throughout the house.

As the menacing-marvelous moon rises so does the fire Spreading warmth to the table.

Bowls of steaming food being emptied by children, Laughter and the sound of crackers ring off the walls.

The warmth leaves me as I venture Outside. The crunch of snow beneath my feet I begin to walk the white wasteland.

Green fighting to be seen against the thick blanket.

Trees tipped with silver.

Lit by that giant orb of light hidden behind the clouds.

Carols tickle at the back of my mind.

It’s Christmas.

6F - Santa’s Night Out by Jack Summerley A Santa hat lay beside the bed, While the little boy was resting his head, Soon he will wake and see all the snow, But for now his head rests on the bouncy pillow.

At the peak of the darkness when no-one’s awake, There is still something left for Santa to take, A warm, fresh mince pie and a can of rum, But he must wait patient for there’s work to be done.

The presents has been set and the food has all gone, No time to dilly-dally, he must move on, Now the presents lie all on their own, And morning peeps through the boy’s window.

6B - The Work of Christmas by Theo McCluskey On Christmas Eve the children run, They run, they jump, they shout.

Might they run out of energy?

No, they shan’t run out!

But while they enjoy their freedom, Father Christmas takes the reins, His reindeer are all so special, They fly, or so they claim.

He’s amazing, He’s brill.

He’s great, He’s dandy!

He goes into each house And fills the stockings with candy.

Some stay awake and wait for him, Others just go to sleep.

But the house is always silent, Not a word, not even a peep.

He slips down the chimney, Not through the door, He tried it once, He doesn’t do it anymore.

They leave him cakes, they leave him drinks, They leave him biscuits and mince pies.

Those aren’t his teeth marks, It’s his reindeer’s, he’s that nice!

He left them what they asked for, And soon his work was done.

Back to the North Pole quick, To beat the rising sun.

While children open their presents, And families meet, Dads rest on their sofas And Mums put up their feet.

In the North Pole there is Christmas cheer, Followed by a well deserved rest, Before getting ready for next year.

6E - Christmas Eve by Owen Chetwood The roaring fire brings us a happy glow, Lights on the tree are turned down low.

The candles flicker high on the shelves, We’re busy wrapping presents like Santa’s elves.

I look outside at the snowman I made, His carrot is wonky and his buttons are jade.

The ground is hard with a blanket of snow, The tree branches rustle when the North winds blow.

I’m so excited, I can’t wait for Christmas Day! I look out of the window for reindeer and a sleigh.

I’ve left out a carrot and mince pies on a plate, It’s nearly tomorrow and it’s gonna be great!

5S - The Reindeer Journey by Jack Prior That time of year has come once again, The time to free the reindeer from their pens, Every one of them knows the drill, To fly into the stars when the night is still.

Rudolph at the front to guide the way, To guide the way for Santa’s sleigh, Every one of them knows the way, Around the world before the break of day.

And when it ends with reindeer tired, The love to sleep by the stable fire, Around the world they had to fly, Before the end of Christmas time.

5L - Midnight Sky by Max O’Farrell Winter, Flowing snow, The midnight sky, Whispering its wintery secrets.

Cold air rushing down the chimneys.

I hope it’s Santa!

There, glimmering, shiny presents.

Looking out of the window, Crystal clear snowflakes, Dancing on the window pane.

I’m in the Christmas spirit, Feeling joy to be full of happiness, Waiting to open my presents, And enjoying the Christmas Day.

5O - It’s Time by Theo Pettigrew Oh it’s Christmas, Oh what a delight, The wind still breezes in the early morning, Can’t wait to go outside, because I can’t see the beautiful sky.

I rush down my stairs hoping to see the glorious presents Around the tree, ‘Oh he’s come, And ate a mince pie’ I scream!

The stockings are so full, It’s like they are being pulled into a large tornado, My mum runs down shouting ‘This is the beginning, The turkey is in the oven!’

I feel so happy like it’s raining joy, I rip open the presents throwing the wrapping paper away, But being sad knowing at the end of the day, It is over... for another year

4GS - Christmas Excitement by Matthew Buabeng Christmas is fun, Happy as jumping jelly beans, Rushing to find our presents, It is the best day of my life, Sitting next to the Christmas tree, Tongue out with excitement waiting for presents Magical Father Christmas giving presents then he goes Amazing celebrations for our Lord Jesus Christ, So just play around, shout and scream, “IT IS CHRISTMAS!�

4CS - Christmas by Thomas DuBuisson I can see lamb-soft snow I hear the ice puddle crack under my feet I taste the tender turkey in my mouth I smell the roast potatoes in the oven I see a turkey hut with no turkeys in it I hear a cracker being pulled I taste the roast potatoes in my mouth I smell the pigs in blankets sizzling in the oven All my senses LOVE CHRISTMAS! 4C - A WW1 Christmas Truce by Jools Buckett A Christmas in War, No time to bore.

It’s no time for shells, Let’s hear the bells.

No mines, Just mince pies.

Decorations, No death conversations.

No tanks, Just people saying ‘thanks’.

No Fokker planes, Just soccer games.

But these days can’t last, So this is in the past!

3RS - Christmas is‌ by Max Sheriff Christmas is white snow falling, Christmas is red robins flying around, Christmas is children building snowmen, Christmas is eating turkey and potatoes, Christmas is a jolly time, Christmas is as fun as playing football, Christmas is children writing lists, Christmas is singing carols on 24th December.

Christmas is, Christmas is, Christmas, Is.

3N - Icy Christmas by Arlo Ward At Christmas time I read by the fire By the time I close my eyes the fire is higher I can’t wait to see the Christmas tree Sometimes my brother and sister get the same present as me When I’m outside I feel cold When I press my thumbs on the snow it makes a mold When it snows I’m feeling happy The Christmas Tree is all sappy I have some mince pies and rum So please come come come I love to do snowball fights I love love my brand new kite Thank you Santa Merry Christmas

3C - I Like Christmas by Charlie George I like Christmas because of the shiny, green holly!

Juicy sweet mince pies And lovely roast potatoes.

Presents by the fire And playing in the snow!

Reading a Christmas story And meeting family and friends Going down a massive hill on the frosty sleigh!

But I want to get up in the middle of the night to see Father Christmas eating a mince pie and a carrot and rum!

And then running down stairs to open my presents!

Everyone wants it to snow.

We’ve decorated the house and are going to church And looking at everything freeze!

I like Christmas!

No - I love it!

Leopards - ‘Bells’ Acrostic Poem by Max Ainge Bells are ringing Everywhere Loudly Lovely Sounds I hear.

Lions - ‘Christmas’ Acrostic Poem Christmas is the best day ever Hurry up go to bed!

Reindeers are flying on the sleigh Icy floor outside Santa’s coming tonight The North Pole is making presents Mighty fun snow on the trees A lot of people are loving the day of the 25th December Sleep and then it will be Christmas morning.

Tigers - Our Nonsense Christmas Poem Mrs Read had a seed That Mrs Thatcher wanted to scatter In the snow with Mrs Lowe And what do you know…

It started to grow!

Into a big snowman With a frying pan!

That he had on his head While lying in bed In his Christmas shed