Reclaiming the Truth – a Celebration of Black History month
‘We Are’ Whole House poems
December 2024
The quality of entries for House Poetry was very high this year, and in addition we had our biggest take-up since its inception, with 9 of the 10 Houses submitting poems.
Pupils were asked to enter one or more of three categories:
• A poem entitled ‘The Beautiful Truth’, 400 words or fewer
• A poem to celebrate Black History Month on the theme of ‘reclaiming the truth’; 50 lines or fewer
• ‘We Are’ – a whole-house poem which contains a verse by each year group, to which all members of that year group contribute
House Poetry began in 2021 and was initially suggested by Rosemary Parkin of Wimborne House at a point when covid was causing periods of online teaching, and activities were severely limited. Rosie pitched it as ‘an idea for an inter-house Poetry Competition which works in lockdown but could also very easily be continued for years to come’ and so it has proved! Rosie is now reading English Literature at Durham University, but very kindly agreed to be our guest judge this year. Her comments on the winning poems are included after each entry.
For the first time we will be awarding a trophy, the Rosemary Parkin Award, to be kept in House until the next House Poetry competition. This year the trophy will be awarded to Court House for the overall quality of all their entries.
Mrs Crouch Canford English Department
Category One - The Beautiful Truth
Senior Winner – Georges M, Court House
The Beautiful Truth
What foul perfections are from us concealed?
Lie it behind dark shroud or evil eyes?
Oh, majestic, beautiful truth revealed!
Does Jophiel with flaming sword truth shield? Or hides it amongst us in unfair guise?
What foul perfections are from us concealed?
Those who tread upon Elysium’s field
Was the unmasked verity their grand prize?
Oh, majestic, beautiful truth revealed!
Is to Plato’s shadows our knowledge sealed?
Must we compromise to this world of lies?
What foul perfections are from us concealed?
This empty pit in our soul must be healed!
What a fool they are who think themselves wise.
Oh, majestic, beautiful truth revealed!
But for the eternal quest I am steeled. The echoing of humanity’s cries: What foul perfections are from us concealed?
Oh, majestic, beautiful truth revealed!
Judge’s comment: This won for being an accurate and very effective villanelle! – I was very impressed
Junior Winner – Quentin X, Montecute House
The Blossom of Truth
In the ruined garden where shadows hang. A plant with snapped-off arms whined,
“Why am I born with thorns they hate?” “Why do they snap my arms off?”
“No, No, No, no end yet”
“Who locked my soul in a fragile frame? “Who spitted on me, a unknown shame?”
This world breathes evil whispers near, Beauty often draws envy and fear.
But you needn’t feel guilt in this twisted affair Remember, life is seldom fair.
When the hound jumps to you. The most beautiful bloom is The counterattack for you.
For every bruise, for every slight, For every word that chills the night Blood dripping will shine,
Reddening your highest crown.
Your silence speaks, a voiceless plea, None of us forget, nor shall we.
From this pain, a truer grace will rise, To waken hearts and open eyes. Every rose wears ivy’s guard, The best revenge is your red beauty,.
You are the beautiful truth, Never let others diminish you
Judge’s comment: Very effective use of metaphor. My favourite line is “beauty often draws envy and fear” – extra points for creativity
Senior runner-up – Jacob R, Franklin House
The Beautiful Truth
In the morning’s calming trance, the sky starts to hum, A symphony of most golden light, where shadows come undone. The dew-drenched grass, a view of glittering pearls, Each green blade whispering a secret, as the dawn unfurls. The sun, a golden hand, extends its calm embrace, Awakening the landscape with its kind and glowing face.
The trees do stand tall, their branches sway and sing, In accordance with the breeze, they waltz on invisible wings. A river speaks in ripples, playful, wise, and bright, Its speech a murmur, with drops, dancing in the light. The stones beneath it sparkle, polished by its touch, As the water whispers wisdom in language faint but lush. The flowers lift their face, their petals paint the air With whispers from the bees, with hues beyond compare. A rose blushes crimson, shy against the sun, While daisies smile stoically, as though the world has just begun. And somewhere in the silence, the earth starts to speak, In tones of sacred stillness, both mighty and meek. The wind strokes the mountains, sighing of long-lost youth, The beauty lies in attention, thus, the beautiful truth. The sky unfolds like parchment, etched with streaks of gold, As clouds become the letters of a great story yet untold. In every drop of rain, the world’s sweet song is sung, A melody of moments, where all are ever young.
The world, alive with whispers, reveals its stunning face, In every tree, every wave, a glimpse of gentle grace. For truth is not a hard-fought battle, nor beauty just a crown It’s found in silent spaces, where peace and light are bound. So listen, as the world sighs softly in your ear—
The beautiful truth is becoming ever clear.
Judge’s comment: Beautiful imagery, especially the use of anthropomorphism. Better yet it all sits in a satisfying rhyme-scheme
The ‘beautiful’ truth”
A woman wakes up, Her babe in arm, a smile in her heart. A warm coffee awaits her, loving husband too.
A few countries over, a woman wakes, To the sound of obscenities, He stubbed his toe. All must be dropped. Immediately. Plaster shall be applied. You don’t know what he’ll do. You don’t understand. Hell breaks loose otherwise.
Hop over to the desert, You shall dress in black, Talking? Too tempting. Eyes? Too distracting. Song? Too alluring. You shall not be anything, too radical. “Know your place.” It’s suffocating.
Two skips over the pond, Freedom. The warm rustle of trees wakes her up, Mid morning, sun gleaming. Beaming as much as her family, She’s content – life is simple yet pleasing. Let’s just ignore the mosquitos. “We promise we’re doing all we can to contain the spread.” A lie?
A baby bite, her soul takes flight A better place? Surely. Yet where’s better than paradise?
Agonising screams echo down the hall, Enough to make a father cry.
It’s their fault.
She won’t survive it, she’s too young. “She’ll be fine, its her only purpose. She’s no good for anything else.”
Flags wave all around.
“The land of the free” Free to do what? Produce a tot unwillingly? It’s just another cog in the machine, right? She’s only there just for you, for all of you. Do as you please.
A Feminist, right? You support women, don’t you? And yet, you allow this.
“I love women, I definitely don’t assault them, its her fault.”
Too. Tempting. She just existed.
She’s all dried up. Bled out. Flatlined. Well done. You must be immensely proud.
The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. It’s not all as it seems, all lies, lies, lies. That’s the ‘beautiful’ truth. No. It’s the hard truth.
And so she wakes up to the smell of coffee.
Judge’s comment: I really liked the recurring motif of coffee throughout the violent imagery. A powerful depiction of the experience of women
The Beautiful Truth
What we see in the light
Always hides the dark
And blinds us
For sight
What’s he?
We are blinded by the rumors and crushed by expectations
We hear what we see and believe what we hear, in our heads so rambled I wish I was not so scrambled
The pushes and the pulls, the yeses and the no’s
The mask of joy stuck with glue so tight our skin stretches and rips and pulls with all force,
Its shredding Its shredding Its shredding
The pieces off us all lie on the floor spread so far apart
Who are we anymore?
We are the beats of our hearts and the breath in lungs
We are the hardships we face and the triumphs we create
The love we receive the hate we embrace
The tap of our feet the shake of our hips
The spread of our wings the wind in our hair
Every fiber of or beings that is who we are
The blood in our veins that is who we are
The emotions in our hearts that is who we are
We are no one but ourselves
You are you
I am me
We are we
That is the beautiful truth
Judge’s comment: I loved the use of vivid metaphors to build a picture of being human, especially the line “the pieces of us all lie on the floor spread so far apart”; the varied rhythm was very interesting
Is it worth fighting for what we love?
Is it worth chasing the dreams up above? Is it worth going to war…
Just so we can be sure?
When every day passes Another problem comes to light. But we keep pushing through so we can feel that Uncommon, uncertain, unnecessary word
Is it worth fighting for girls who are boys Who like boys to be girls?
Is it worth chasing perfection?
Is it worth waiting for the destination?
Or are we all standing here waiting for nothing… Why do we do it when our lives are at risk
Finding our dreams, trying to be the next Taylor Swift?
Is it worth being me? When normal is what we decree.
Is it worth sticking up for others? When we’re bound to f a l l ourselves.
But sometimes you have to let it linger.
Because if I shake it off I, I, I shake it offI’ll lose what it means to be human. But that’s the beautiful truthIt’s not really worth it - until it ends.
That’s the beautiful truth.
Judge’s comment: a clever use of song lyrics; good use of rhyme, repetition and structure to create a satisfying and effective poem – superb work for a shell!
Category Two: Reclaiming The Truth
A Celebration of Black History Month
Senior Winner - Adrian C, School House
They may interpret them as weak, Or undermine their strength to stand. Alas they were strong, plowing without breaks, Where rain didn’t dare interrupt their rakes. They were turned away and ignored, And some overlook their struggle. Alas they were relentless, embracing their selves, They rose like the sun, singing in the curving sky.
They sowed grain and seeds under the scorching earth, Yet with overwhelming effort, they seized their future. Alas they were unstoppable, inspiring power and culture. Flourishing like the poises, such pride doth empower others.
Let not our distorted perception trouble them, For their history reveals wonder not shame. Let their voices dazzle brightly, Or every voice be blind.
Judge’s comment: Liked the structure and the imagery and the theme, LOVED the final couplet, “let their voices dazzle brightly, or every voice be blind”
Junior Winner – Amelia M, De Lacy House
Reclaiming the Truth
We are taking it back, What they took from us. Our safety, we are reclaiming What they took from us. Robbing us of our lives, Childhood, Freedom. We will get it back
Judge’s comment: Short, effective, I really liked the use of punctuation, impactful
Reclaiming the Truth
To argue one’s rights is a dangerous thing
To go where the wings of birds
Cling to the air for their lives
To reclaim the truth their are many forms
And in her courageous youth
Did Ida B Wells find hers
To stand for the truth is one thing
To write in the face of your faceless killers, It takes a different kind of strength
The lynching of one’s costly life
The dignity lost
In the false accusations
To restore her forgotten friends
To glue the fragments of their shattered lives
To show what was always true
Violence in the dark of the night
The snatch and catch and burning
Smell of wrecked printing presses
but that does not keep strength down. Who has gone that far down dark roads? Why not keep walking?
To stand when others sit
To speak when others fall silent
To write when others do not
All to reclaim a truth that was always there
Judge’s comment: Very effective and powerful, great use of metaphor throughout
Junior Runner-up – Toby B C
The Truth
‘The truth’s overrated
The truth won’t set you free You don’t need a shepherd Just follow me’
There he stood on top of a mound
At first glance he was a sheep by sight and by sound . They huddled around him a mass of woolly bodies
Agog, aghast, ‘Is this what a god is?’
The sheep were transfixed at this marvellous preaching
His wolf like appearance seemed missed through his teaching.
As the sheep listened they hadn’t detected
Around them a fence had been quickly erected .
A small pack of wolf like assistants Put up a fence with gleeful persistence.
‘ Keep your eyes on me’ the teacher loudly bleated.
Fearing their attention might soon be depleted.
‘Let’s repeat our mantra my darling bunch’
Licking his lips and thinking of lunch.
‘The truth is overrated
The truth won’t set you free You don’t need a shepherd Just follow me’
But all of a sudden a wise little lamb
Cried ‘ wolf, wolf, wolf’ exposing the scam.
Then chaos ensued; the whistle blew. Sheep and wolves around the pen flew. Like a cat in the pigeons
And the dung in the fan
The flock all scattered afeared of the plan.
But relief, oh relief arrived with one shout, ‘Wolf you let my sheep come out’
There in the gateway powerful and true, A shepherd confronted this hulla balloo. ‘Get back you wolf, get back you beast.’
‘My little flock is not tonight’s feast’
Order and peace and joy were restored
As out through the gates the happy sheep poured.
Then this good shepherd spoke firm as a rock, caring and wise to his small little flock:
‘The truth is not overrated The truth sets you free You do need a shepherd
And that shepherd is Me
Judge’s comment: Impactful, great use of imagery, I really liked the powerful triple ending
Category Three: ‘We Are’
Poems to which all members of the house contributed
Winner – Monteacute House
We are -stanzas written by Monteacute lower sixth, fifth form, fourth form, shells and upper sixth in that order.
We are ambitious and we are united With nerves of steel, we are sure to move ourselves blighted by the light Emmanuel, our guide, we miss you so Your presence lacking, we all know In Dave's legacy, we stand strong We are individuals, moving swiftly along
The journey of life, we cannot stop Until we reach the tallest mountain top Held in the beauty of being held in loved ones hands Bound by determination, like unbreakable bands, Our lives are linked, humans can tend We are here and we are waiting, and we won’t bend, We are forgiving, willing to mend the pain We are good and strong in our works, nobody suffers in vain
Dripping with sweat through all life’s tests
However, broken, we can survive the fall We are hungry, victims of cold, We are in the thick of it, charging through the snow Yet together, we stand to make sense of it all The Hawks too fly high, circling with might, Seeking to complete what was previously incompletable
For in unity, our strength unfolds.
We are incomplete, yet we endure the heartache and a thousand scares that seem so pure
Our journey vast, constricted by time We are unparalleled, never alone, but we are also imperfect.
With true friends who stay, never given away We can mend our bodies and bring our minds to the test Our progress doesn’t define who we are just the path we climb Progress propelled by collaboration So don’t ask who I am but instead who we are, Because we have realised that it is together we go far
Judge’s comment: I liked the split of stanzas between year groups, the powerful language and sense of togetherness
We are
Speak if thou be’st not voiceless. Who are you? I charge you to define yourselves. Who are you?
Such a task is impossible. We shall attempt it, for that is reason enough.
On the outskirts of Canford Stands a high-flying house, Populated with Canford’s most suave and couth, Who beat the trail to all kinds of triumph, And consistently balance leisure and glory. With minds sharp as blades and hearts set on high, We chase every challenge, reaching for the sky. A brotherhood strong, where loyalty reigns, Each step we take is the sum of our gains. In the halls of Court House, we stand tall and true, For we are the few who dare to pursue.
In Court House so united, friendships intertwine, Joyful laughter echoes, a warm-hearted sign. With manners that uplift, in Court House we stand, Generous thoughts, generous minds, reaching out with a helping hand.
With a busy, great start we try and rise and embrace, Proudness to come, leaving our passionate trace. Glorious moments come and go within our days, We are brave with our actions, thinking about our ways.
Sophisticated, suave, we are still standing with all our might, Together we unite, trusting our future, hopefully bright. In Court House we will find our worthy song,
In an oasis of joy, Court is where we belong.
Speak if thou be’st not voiceless. Who are you? I charge you to define yourselves. Who are you?
We are voices, steady and true, With “Manners Maketh Man” as the view. A compass that points us through dark and through light, Guiding our steps to what’s noble and right. We are courtesy in a world moving fast, Learning that kindness is meant to last. A handshake offered, a door held wide, Respect and honour, our source of pride.
We are the ties and polished shoes, The subtle art of classic blues, A nod, a word, a lifted glass, Our spirit strong, no storm can surpass.
We are the Gents so valourous and couth, Sculpted by time yet rooted in youth. From strangers to comrades. United, we claim a wealth of accolades
We are the laughter in darkened halls, In unity, we rise to meet the calls. Individual cogs in an unyielding machine, Through troughs and peaks, We are green.
Speak if thou be’st not voiceless. Who are you?
Who could prowl this place with such dignified pride? Who else so contrasts intelligence and arrogance? Who else serves with such leadership and leads with such servitude? I charge you to define yourselves. Who are you?
Such a task is impossible. We shall attempt it, for that is reason enough. We are athletes; exuberant, exhilarated, exalted. We are artists; immortal, imaginative, impassioned. We are scholars; deliberative, dedicated, decisive. We are companions; affable, affectionate, affective. We are adventurers; bold, brave, boundless. We are architects; stately, stunning, stylish. We are gentlemen; couth, kind, compassionate. We are Court.
Very Highly Commended – De Lacy House
We are not musical champions
We are not musical champions, We are not always on time, We are not perfect students, We can’t always write poems that rhyme.
We are not fashion gurus, Nor do we get much romantic success, We are not always in first teams, We are not always the best.
Judge’s comment: this is an incredibly ambitious poem and I love the use of questions and answers in order to try and define what it means to be in Court House
But, we are a hard-working community, Always looking for ways to improve, Our results speak for themselves, We are good when we get in the groove.
We are part of a formidable family, Each one of us adds something more, We are proud to wear the colour blue, Regardless of the score.
Judge’s comment: Very amusing, entertaining, honest, genuinely touching; a pity more cross-house collaboration wasn’t included
‘We are’
We are divided as a species
Bounded by boarders
Patriotic people
In a lunacy of linguistics
We are divided in culture and currency
Ever changing
We are united at Canford
We work together
Looking outward not inward
But it’s good to reflect Like the moon orbits earth
We have cause and effect
With one goal in common
To make a change for the best
We are leading the way in a generational quest
We are achievers
In all that we do
We are believers
Thanks to Canford and you
Like the Lancaster bomber
Our achievements fly high We are connected
Our influence is reflected Rippling through Lancaster
We are at the top
We’ll always try give our best shot And lead the house to victory To continue Lancaster’s glory
We’ll guide the shells to the shore Out of the waves, to explore And set an example to the crew
We are all connected Whether OC or new
We are ambitious
Not afraid of a challenge
We’ll see it through
We’ll prove you right
We are bright
But we are humble too
We know we’re smart in Lancaster we treasure the heart
We don’t want trouble
We promise, we swear
We’re reckless on the playing fields
But in the classroom wouldn’t dare
We’re working at our best
To see this exam year through
And next year fourth form
That will be you
We’re not stressed
To be put to the test
For now our minds
Are on break times
When we rush to break its anarchy
To get the last biscuit makes us panicky
We’ll storm the halls
Tear down the walls
And if we don’t get our snack
We’ll eat yours
They call us shells
We are enthusiastic
We make Lancaster fantastic
Though we’re new to Lancasters regime
We’ve settled into this fun team
We scuttle around school
Our backpacks broken
Our key cards lost
But it won’t be long till we’ve outgrown our shell
So watch your backs in academics and on the pitches as well
Judge’s comment: I simply adored the stanza about biscuits, and the fact that this is a uniting factor of the house is brilliant
Highly Commended – Wimborne House
Wimborne shells
Inquisitive about what Canford has to offer
Motivated to try it all
Buoyant about the new chapter of our lives
Opportunities await us in so many forms
Relationships evolving
New journey under way
Exploring Canford’s array of challenges
Wimborne 4ths
Inspected in CCF
Mentee relationships building
Broadening our awareness of the wider community
Open minded to new ways of thinking
Rambunctious to respectful we are growing
New depth to subjects
Expressing new confidence
Wimborne 5th form
Intellectually challenging
More focused
Busyness to rise to the challenge
Options made
Role modelling evolving
Need to support each other
Excelling in drive and determination
Wimborne L6th
Independence beginning
Meaningful engagement in community contributions
Braveness to delve deeper into one’s thinking
Optimistic about the new chapter that lie ahead
Role modelling relationships in mentoring
New depth to subject learning, new leadership as NCO’s
Embracing new responsibilities
Wimborne U6th winding paths through Canford’s green
In house corridors our older faces still feel like shells yet ready to face forward
Making more memories from the Canford bubble
Beyond the gates awaits, sad that time flies so fast.
Old traditions guide the way, whilst new traditions are made
Reflections of how we go to this point
Nurtured souls by matrons’ care and relationships made
Excelling in future endeavours as Echoes of Wimborne linger in the air.
Judge’s comment: I like how the acrostic in each verse creates a sense of unity. The fact that the lines get longer in later verses suggests the maturity developed by the pupils throughout their time in House
Highly Commended – School House
We Are’ – School House Whole House Poem Questions asked by juniors answered by seniors. Each stanza represents a house family.
I
How much shall we revise for our exams?
‘As much or as little as one requires.’
How does one reach the highest level of sport?
‘Hard work, consistency, and a hell lot of luck’
II
And one day, will I ever fall in love?
‘Your journey’s a long one, enjoy every step.’
How can I learn to love myself?
‘Embrace and flourish, my dear precious flower.’
III
For what makes us and everyone so special?
‘The religion, the ethnicity, and equal diversity.’
For what happened to our waffle Wednesday?
‘The hashes and bacon, they took them away.’
IV
But there isn’t any milk left in the fridge!1 ‘Fill it yourself but not over the ridge.’
Don’t stress about it, focus on the rest, Just keep on pushing ‘till you’re the best’.
V
How will I ever master my fractions?
‘Just eliminate all your other distractions.’
And what subjects, what subjects shall I pick? ‘Research, you will, then have a think.’
*
We love it well, our gentlemanly values, With support and loyalty, we strive to be astute. And together we’re prideful yet fair, We always will stand for each other with care.
Judge’s comment: An effective use of question and answer, with a lovely mix of the serious (How can I learn to love myself) and the everyday irritating realities of Canford life (what happened to our waffle Wednesday?)
Highly Commended - Beaufort House, who recorded their House poem, inspired by BREIS, the visiting poet who came to school on National Poetry Day.
Judge’s comment: I really enjoyed how each verse had a different feel, with some lovely imagery from the animal kingdom. I would have loved a written version as well, but it was great to see how Breis inspired you
