Who We Are An anthology of creative writing by students from Excelsior Academy
This collection was written by participants from New Writing North's Young Writers’ City project. These poems were produced by Year 7 and Year 8 english classes, who worked with Lead Writer Sky Hawkins and Project Producer Emily Wiseman during the 2019 Spring term. This collection explores the theme ‘Who we are’, and explores how the power of our individual stories can change the world. New Writing North supports the development of writing in the North of England. We introduce young people to creative writing in its many forms, through our network of Young Writers' Groups and our longterm programmes in schools. © The authors, 2019.
Who I am I am black sometimes everything just goes downhill I am a red bear rare to find I am Monday nobody likes me I am original crisps plain I am a bed always needed I am coke with many different sides I am a field flower simply sweet Anonymous
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Who I am I am blue calm and chilled I am a wolf loved by many I am Friday the day before holidays I am cheese and onion I am a desk useful for gaming I am Pepsi your favourite drink I am a Bugatti car the fastest in the world I am a land full of grass where children can play by Jan
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Who I am I am Black sad and depressed I am a monkey hard to find I am Sunday silent and dark I am a mattress loved and comfortable I am water simply plain I am stormy rain I am a Mercedes clean and pretty by Amela
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Who I am I am from a sparkling white mansion From a plant pot and rose I am from a green door I am from a golden tree I am from a water bottle and maracas From Almatuf and Jumma I am from Muslims and Enid And from a Ramadan I starve for From knocking on doors I am from reading the Quran I am from my brother and sister From a biryani and a samosa From eating in the middle of the night And from my teddy I bought from the fair I am from those moments treasure in a box By Nada
4
Where I'm from I am from the giant and shiny blue pool From my Wii U and plushie cat I am from the house outside of the city And the house in the giant garden I am from the tall tree with lots of fruit whose leaves flew away like a bird I am from my Dad’s car and my bike From Tita and Grandieti I am from happiness and generosity And from creativity From artists I am from the clouds where Jesus lives I am from Mam and Dad From margherita pizza and simple spaghetti with tomato sauce
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From my Mam becoming a famous Italian artist And from my Dad playing guitar And me playing angry birds on his iPhone I am from those moments spending time together in the house outside of the city by Andrei
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My name Help my uncle, he travelled all the way from Iraq and is now in Manchester. Eggs is one food I don’t like. Let’s change all wars because my family are dying water and food is running out. Apples is one food I do like. Newcastle makes me feel calm.
By Helan
7
Where I am from I am from a teddy bear given the day I was born From a furry blanket and the pink book I am from love And Christmas Eve nights I am from scarlet strawberries impossibly sweet I am from a happy hamster and scaly snake From a weddle and a curry And from ‘Get off your phone’ From ‘How tall are you’ I am from ‘There’s no more money’ I am from my brother's dog keeping me company And the poem I wrote titled Tsunami I am from those moments the teddy bear I was given the day I was born by Lauren
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A moment I felt afraid Home alone Heard noises Scary scary scary Ignore the noises Storms everywhere Rain Lightning strikes I freak out Chocolate crisps Suffocating me Packed into my mouth I can’t breathe Floor boards creak clank He’s coming closer My nose He’s stolen my nose By Zainab, Erica and Kayleigh
9
A moment I felt afraid A moment I felt afraid was when a man was staring through the window at my sister and me Scared The police were looking for him. We didn’t know he was there outside the wooden brown gate. A moment I felt afraid was when playing a very hard level on Geometrydash. I almost lost at ninety five percent. I was afraid when I fell off the bed and broke my arm. I was only two. By Andy, Franky and Daniel
10
I'd rather be I'd rather be a famous football player earning loads of money living in Spain in a giant mansion and a different car to drive each day of the week. Lambo, Ferrari, Bently, Bugatti, Mustang, Porsch 911. I would rather be living in Barcelona where its sunny where the beach is stunning. The ocean too. Where there are lizards everywhere and parrots flying in the sky over tops of shops. I’d rather be a football player scouted by Man United. I’d rather play for Spain. Get a lot of money. Live a pleasing life. I would rather be a man who had a plan. Own my own plane and have all the fame to entertain. To do my own thing. By Kai, Gary, C.J, Dylan and Mohamad
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If we could change the world I would change racism as some people can end up killing themselves. I would change my family. My Mam and Dad broke up when I was one month old. I would change school, so it was more like homelife. No uniforms. I would change school lessons, so we would learn about useful stuff to helps us in life. I would change where my Granma lives, so I could see her. I would change the world so that homeless people could all have a home and a family. I would change my brother passing away. I never got to meet him. I would change Brexit to make it stop. I would change wars to make them stop. I would change my next-door neighbour’s dog. It always barks and tries to bite me. I would change my life by making the world a better place. I would change the way politicians fight like boys with big toys. I would change the news and headlines and the lies they pedal and sell. I would change to never being sad. If we could all change the world. by Year 7
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Who I am I am rose gold a Pakistan sunrise I am a horse the wind blowing through your hair I am Friday the day of Eid I am cheese and onion crisps to cheer you up I am a lamp to take the darkness away I am a blue mosque in Turkey a nine-year-old’s dream I am a posh car to protect you from the cold by Iqra
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Who I am I am red anger and pain contained in a home I am a turtle shy, interesting, with lots of stuff on my back I am Monday annoying and lazy I am cheese and onion picky and relaxed I am a chair cold inside but always laid back I am roller blades stepped on and used I am the horizon at the edge of the sea you know stuff about me but nothing at all by Pedro
14
Where I am from I am from the white caravan From the blue blanket and teddy bears I am from a chaotic household And a quiet sound, sweeping through the house I am from a weeping willow that dances gracefully in the breeze I am from the old household in Byker I am from the adventures and disasters And from little lullabies From morning till midnight I am from my white dog Nicky I am from Anna, Steve and Paige From macaroni cheese and Dad's homemade pies From a cake baking on Christmas day And from Uncle John at number 19 the clown teddy in the closet I am from those moments a chaotic home and a white caravan by Faith 15
Where I am from I am from the big brown house with the large white door From a pink blanket and a small monkey I am from a village And phone calls at Christmas I am from a 400-meter zip wire from the Claytons and the Williams I am from listening to music and watching horror films And from regardless of age, all going to bed at the exact same time From split trips to the cinema for two lots of kids I am from the dark, next to the field with a horse I am from Tracy and Peter From beans and potatoes From falling out my pram And from my dog called DJ I am from those moments the big brown house with the large white door by Tia 16
Who I am I am blue peace and calm I am an eagle protector of friends I am Saturday a day with family I am sour cream and onion Pringles liked by some and not by others I am a blanket always warm I am a mountain tall and mysterious I am a bike and if I breakdown I can always be fixed by Maryam
17
Who I am I am green a football field I am a lion strong and fierce I am Friday the last day of school I am a bed a place to rest I am the Burj Khalifa a place in Dubai I am Fortnite a forum of friends by Jack
18
Where I am from I am from the lenses that layer my eyes From a brick house and blanket and pillow I am from a loud noise screeching through the streets And a complicated home with complicated responsibilities I am from the brown tree carved with initials whose tears of wood fell to the soil I am from the flames of the fire lit with a spark From the Bells’ and the Lewis’ I am from adventures and wonders And from night sky ashes From stress I am from footsteps in the sand I am from Bobbie, Debbie and Lacie From handmade chips and apple pie
19
From never ending terror And from the eyes of my ancestors From stones and leaves I am from those moments the lenses that layer my eyes by Kai
20
Where I'm from I am from an apartment From my fluffy duck I am from crazy comfort And spaciousness I am from a tree near the blue pool I am from a silk blanket and red ball From Peter and Nikola I am from family game nights and chatting through meals And from ‘treasure what you have now’ From ‘only good boys get presents’ I am from singing at church I am from Nana and Grandad From Yorkshires filled with mash From a fight over money
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And from the struggle for power And from a small music player I am from those moments my Dad surviving cancer by Pedro
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Who I am I am blue I am a gecko always camouflaged I am Saturday a day of choice I am T-bone steak A park with a lake I am a BMW 18 A game of Red Dead and Fortnite I am mint By Jack
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Who I am I am black quiet and reserved I am an owl sleeping a lot I am Thursday close to Friday, an early finish at school I am a sofa cuddly and soft I am a beach a sunset glowing over the sand I am rollerblades my childhood memories by Zahra
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Who I am I am green a friend called Shrek I am a monkey to make you laugh I am Saturday a whole day off school I am BBQ Hula Hoops I am a bed always there for you I am a sunset pretty from within I am an aeroplane ready to fly by Lauren
25
Who I am I am yellow to make people happy I am a whale discovering the sea I am Friday a movie night I am ready salted never have to change for people to like me I am a fire place to spread the heat I am ice skates creative and rare I am a lamppost to brighten your path home by Morgan
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Who I am I am red passionate and have read many books I am a fox sneaky and work best alone I am Friday chilled and like to have fun I am BBQ flavour an adventure outside I am a coffee table always there to rest your snacks I am outer space full of knowledge I am a scooter even if I am slow I will reach my destination by Blizaid
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Who I am I am yellow I am The Simpsons I am a snake smooth and sleek I am Saturday a 24hr party I am a hot tub chilled and relaxed I am a fight fascinating to watch I am a limo blasting out music by Zainab
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Who I am I am blue calm and relaxed I am a cat sleeping a lot I am Saturday a day to reflect I am a sofa bringing the family together I am a city at night I can be seen in the lights I am a plane a huge adventure by Aleena
29
Who I am I am white sick of the terror in the world I am a jaguar won’t let anyone bring me down I am Tuesday a favourite day I am ready salted to sprinkle the past away I am a gaming chair a happy place to be I am a distance view a part of my past by Michael
30
Who I am I am pastel purple red and blue I am a fox cuddly and explosive I am Friday always looking forward I am BBQ different and liked I am a bed a place to be at the end of the day I am a rainbow expressed pride I am an Asda trolley unusually useful by Harrison
31
Who I am I am yellow shining my truth I am an elephant standing up for myself I am Friday the day school finishes I am a red and pink sunset I am a plane flying through memories by Marzana
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Who I am I am Yellow happy I am a panda cute with eye bags I am Sunday a day for church I am a bed comfort and sleep I am night warm and fuzzy I am an aeroplane always wanting to fly by Priscilla
33
Who I am I am black a dark heart I am Monday not liked by many I am roast chicken the best on the plate I am a couch a place to lean I am a plane a happy destination I am the moon you can’t see the real me by Megan
34
If we could all change the world I would change the time children go to school. Our brains don’t work at that time of day. I would change non-equal pay, so jobs and dreams can’t be crushed. I would change the year I was taken from my Mam and put into care. I would change my age to 17 so I could drop out of school and go to LA to pursue my dream. I would change the millions of animals in this world being abused. I would change the millions of homeless people. Every person needs a home. I would change not having my twin standing by my side. I would change health care. Everyone deserves access to being healthy. I would change scientists getting more pay than teachers. After all, they taught them what to do. I would change when my Uncle John passed away. I never got to say goodbye. I would change stereotyping. It’s not fun having labels put above your head. I would change homophobia. It stops people from being their true beautiful selves. If we could all change the world. We would change Brexit because, well because quite frankly we are sick of hearing about it. By Year 8
35
If If I had the courage I would be like a tree and how it flows through strong and brave. How it absorbs positivity. If I had the courage I wouldn’t change myself to fit in with others. If I had the courage I would stick up for myself. I wouldn’t suffer inside like a butterfly whose wings have been ripped off slowly. If I had the courage I would be. I don’t know. I guess I would be more courageous. If I had the courage I would be on top. You gotta care more about yourself. I’m loving it. I would speak about Donald Trump retiring. Kill all the zombies. Splat, splat. Boom by Aleena, Mariam and Sophie
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Let me tell you Let me tell you I love you Let me tell you I miss you how I laugh for you Let me tell you how I like potatoes and cheese and sausage and mash how I hate brussels sprouts Don’t drown please Don’t fall down the stairs Let me tell you how much I love you By Tia
Dear Bullies Dear bullies You really need a makeover Learn to back off Go to Jupiter to get stupider You need to understand your actions Would you like it if I squished you with my foot? No, you wouldn’t So, stop back off By Kai
37
To my mistakes I have made many mistakes that’s ok People are people We all make mistakes Many people have gone to jail for their mistakes The worst mistake I made was when I wore my left shoe on the right foot the teacher asked did I have it on the right foot? I said yes because I didn’t know my right from my left. Anonymous
38
If If you hear the ocean it takes you back to your childhood where all was happy If you smell home baked cookies it takes you back to your mother in the kitchen If you feel a fluffy blanket it takes you back to the days you were looked after when ill If you go back to all those memories, really think about those days. See the truth If you really feel the pain, you will realise it’s still with you always like a shadow. Anonymous
This really happened, I had a fight with my brother This really happened, I went to my Dad's This really happened, I went to hospital to see my new cousin This really happened, I went for a ride on my horse This really happened, I got told my dog was not good Anonymous
39
Beauty Always there. Buried within every person Beauty is not the way we dress the way we walk or talk Beauty is pure The way we act The way we love Beauty is a misunderstood concept Beauty has no description It comes in many forms Beauty is unique Beauty is you By Toni
40
Haiku Postcards To my Granma A piece of wisdom Comforting like a pillow Light scents wandering From Zahra
To my sister I love you so much You sparkle like a rainbow Always so thoughtful From Daniel
To my family Always buy me things My life goes fast like water Always there for me From Samuel
To me Anger the problem Even though you’re soft inside Can you help my rage? From Me 41
To Theresa May This is so boring Is this really necessary I don’t understand From Abby
To the best Mammy ever You are my hero Caring and loving always Keep smiling for us From Tia
To my Mum You’re so strong and brave You have been through so much My hero always From Maddy
To Dad You are amazing Thank you for staying so strong Even with cancer From Pedro
42
To Demi You are my best friend Together since nursery We have clicked since then Love Lauren
To Adolf Hitler Hey you evil man We don’t live in fear now When you are mentioned From Billy
To Kim Jong-un Give people a choice Don’t torture poor people Please do something else From Jack
To the world Don’t be sad or bad Feel glad as the shiny moon And I’ll watch you zoom From Buzaid
43
To my Mum You're so brave and strong In and out of hospital Smiling through it all From Nicole
To my Sister My inspiration You are like a second mam I look up to you From Holly
To whoever needs this You are like a fire Don’t let your sparkle burn out Keep your flames roaring From Megan
To Nana Grandad is watching Don’t give up you can do this I’m so proud of you From Jaymiee
44
To Dad Sick of it just stop The cigarettes can kill you Don’t leave me alone Love Franky
To Grandad You’ve helped me speak more Thank you for helping me learn Your chips are the best From Kai
To X Shattered and broken Time feels unbearably long Overdosed on sadness From Sophie
To my parents You are really strong You have been through thick and thin Coming up like waves From Michael
45
To Donald Trump You are an orange But you are the sour one I would not eat you From Zainab
To Great Grandad Have never met you Somehow, I feel your presence Stories your son shares From Iqra
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