EYE OF A POET
Poems by University Of Birmingham School Year 7 2017-2018
All photographs and poems gathered here are the work of University of Birmingham School’s Year 7. They were created in collaboration with Stan’s Cafe as part of a Friday afternoon enrichment series, contributing to the school’s character education programme. Each set of poems has been inspired by a photographic walk undertaken by each class visiting one of the four areas around Birmingham from which students are drawn. Students have been encouraged to look at their city and their photographs with a keen and imaginative gaze (The Eye of a Poet) before translating what they see into a series of poems. These poems have been written using a range of approaches including: strict Japanese Haiku, ‘fridge magnet’ writing, writing from a title, writing from a structure and free writing. We had fun making this and we hope you have as much fun reading it. Year 7 and Stan’s Cafe
EYE OF A POET
Credits All of Year 7 (2017/18) with Brenda Read-Brown Craig Stephens Rebecca Rochelle James Yarker Graphic design & Illustration: Gareth Courage Producer: Lucy Nicholls With thanks to: All the Y7 Tutors, Mrs.Barrington, Ms.Hanson & Ms.Wrigglesworth, Laura Killeen & Roisin Caffrey at Stan’s Cafe Eye of a Poet was originally inspired by Big City Writing commissioned from Stan’s Cafe by Brookfields Primary School, Birmingham 2016/17. Stan’s Cafe is a theatre company based in Birmingham, which creates its own highly original productions and tours them around the world. Since the company’s formation in 1991 its artistic explorations have included collaborating with schools and young people on creative learning products especially tailored for the needs of their partners. www.stanscafe.co.uk
A golden padlock hanging from a mouldy rail What crime has it done?
7A
Harry
A great moment when some ducklings go for a swim What a good surprise Agraj
The geese are drowning They need to learn swimming skills just like me today Donnell
Geese swim round, careless no worries in their small brains until humans come Luke
A home is caring A home is where you’re welcome A home is a home David
Feathers on the ground lost by birds, found by children I am lost in thought Pablo
Family of ducks A ripple across water Change everlasting Anisa
On a lonely lake a life ring among the weeds pointless of purpose Jake The small glimpse of red that car, tiny as a pea You can take the wheel Charnae
The wrinkled grandma opens her loving arms wide for the new green life Jayden
I see mutant cheese in the coloured graffiti mouldier each year Rowan
7G worn worn away worn away paint paint that was there before but gone now paint Freddie
Unknown lonely sock weeping on the floor missing its brother Please insert a coin I’m hungry - give me money then I’ll be happy
Amelia
Into the unknown Lost, alone where no-one knows it’s laid, sad, afraid
Levon
Fuad
Northfield is… a safe place a scared place It’s hiding like no-one’s looking a lost place like it’s the only one of its kind a broken place Its owner needs a booking a dog is lost and missing space don’t worry, we’re not blind a caged place a tied place They’re almost everywhere a trying to get out place in the park and on the street a walled place Hello! The bin is right there! a socket place But the litter just takes its a locked place seat a chained place Sami a cracked place a stop place a trapped place a tall place a locked inside strong bars place The bright green light shines a please insert a coin place Is there someone inside there? a new life space Then it fades away a unique place Northfield is… Raouf a place for all Abi
Silky daisy leaves All the wonderful things of the dark forest Dylan
Trees A cherry blossom pink like candyfloss standing out like a flamingo in a flock of pigeons I watch people all day They walk past they point and stare I whisper Help me! but they cannot hear Zain
My safe space I can go for warmth I can go for joy I can go for dreams I can go for weeps I can go for inspirational tips My safe space It helps when I’m down and out of town When I’m up and all around When I’m in and when I’m out My safe space is here Shantae
Ghizlaine
Towering green trees Branches stretching out like hands Reaching for the sky
Tyre Discarded, lonely Left to deflate You’re not allowed to park there but it had no other place to go This was how it lived
Elliott
Summer
I’m in a crowded field but yet the odd one out Feeling alone and I need a friend to grow beside me to talk to me to be with me in a crowded field
A mountain of tyres all attached by a pattern some will never see
Crashing on the floor Ciggie box and ciggie ends Blown, twirling away Sumaiyah
Reuben
On a bike, I’d go to school On a car, I’d go to work On a train, I’d go abroad On a plane, I’d fly away On a bus, I’d go to the shops On a race car, I’d zoom But I’m stuck on a wall I can’t travel, fly or drive Why?
Emma Duaa
Growing and growing Bright colours attracting bees Daisy’s got no friends Akilah
The eye of a tiger Big Brother at night Go on, try and shoplift But be ready for a fight ‘Cause I am the guard tonight
Scratched, discarded bench Our world keeps charging forwards The paint fades away Abi
Desolate, sad sock sobbing sadly on its own I know how it feels Malaika
Tom
Four circled by two legs trembling and shaking fear in the dog’s heart Come to my boat in a bottle We have hammocks for plenty and food for a crowd bring your friends to my feast and hide within the cover of glass My bottle is broad and big with many luxuries Shrink down to my size see how you like it Max
Ten people crowding it It thinks Should I run away? but it does not run James
The tree overlooks Its naked branches grow tall A toddler’s scribble Mayah
This glove was lost on a log This glove was lost by a child This glove was lost next to the bog This glove was lost in the wild. This glove is blue This glove was forgotten in the cold This glove is soaked through This glove’s owner might now be very old
7M
A burning sky ball Holding planets in its grasp Too weak to see us Not even parting the clouds Even with its hulking size No strength to part the skies Vish
Vish & Hannah
A lost woollen glove Lonely on a fallen tree Somewhere a cold hand
It lies still waiting Waiting for the wind to help To carry it on It happily lives Settled down beneath the trees Out from the depths of the earth
Hannah
One has left in peace One has come in happiness New life has begun Peninna
Luke An unfinished artwork Wondering where we have been Waiting to be seen
Ghost workers echo Through the mill Mystery smoke clouds Rise from the chimney And up and away to the sky
Ayesha
Pennina, Layla & Amelia
The tower is tall Red bricks reaching to the sky Here too long to fall Esa
Below the sky the black branches tangle Like veins inside a body The leafless tree that came up from the earth From the bones to the arms all through to the fingers It stretches across the green Giving oxygen to other life
Everyday frogs carry stars across the country Fish, leaves and roots flow through seasons Voles collect sky and carry money to banks Turtle hides in his shell where he collects rain To carry to the city Rat reflects on his actions.
Mohammad, Luke, Joe & Husam
Hannah & Vish
The frog is lovely Brown but mighty little but quick Frogs want care from you Mariam
Old trunk of history Once strong and tall in wind and storm Now quiet Still A fragile insect house Alexis & Susanna
Tangle of branches Lost in the murky water The sky is there too Mohammad
The crumpled leaves hang Orange and gold they twist and turn The branches let go
An unfinished piece of art Forgotten and lonely Hoping to be seen
Mayah
Sarah
The dog is hiding Shaking behind the dustbin He’s lost his owner
Brown muddy puddle In the lush emerald grass Waiting to be splashed Hannah
Eshan Small, fragile new bud Delicate piece of nature Secret life within Susanna
The pool hiding memories Cools the day Moon reflection Eshan
White sky hides darkness Light has hidden children Heat hides behind clouds D’Nico
The only flower in the field But keep your eyes peeled ‘Til another one’s revealed D’Nico
By the brown river Cradled softly in a hand A small sprig of hope Susanna
Today is another day Hour upon hour Every footstep lies upon me Many pieces of me are lost Over time I have become old So I am old but I am beautiful And sometimes so beautiful Incredible artists work on me Calling out for all to see
Catkins dangle low Hanging, trying to escape Tanned in the sunshine Luke
Mariam
This new born nature Green as fresh grass will bloom to a Colourful mystery
Like valleys through a mountain Like veins on a grandparent Like rain down a window The tree crumbles Becomes small And weak As moss grows the years become apparent Passers by wonder when it’s life will end
Susanna
Mayah
Thin but alive Without a doubt I am not going to die Going to last till the end of time Inaya
All from the same school All wear the same uniform But all different Joe
7N
Lake Blue water, blue sky Clouds drifting above Swans ready for their photograph Wait Let them get their feathers ready
Red can lying down Glistening in the sunlight Who has drunk it dry?
Maria
Angel
The hole My home Small but big Here I will stay Waiting for you Come in Come up Have tea with me Stay with me Live with me forever Forever Isn’t Long Humaira
Ball Multi coloured Eye catching, wondering, rolling Sitting all alone Bright sphere Daniella
True answers collected and relayed Distant news collected and relayed Hurtful messages collected and relayed Good greetings collected and relayed Late apologies collected and relayed Impossible memories collected and relayed Happy hopes collected and relayed Birthday invitations collected and relayed Embarrassing photographs collected and relayed Painful questions collected and relayed Funny friendships collected and relayed Hashtags Likes collected and relayed
Invisible ghosts play songs In the lonely park Children’s voices echo Pillars covered in gold Songs gone Under the blue sky Smoke floats. Chris, Lukas & Ismail
Come to my house It’s lovely and warm Dark and damp Maggots for a snack Worms for dinner Sticky and slimy Fungus wallpaper Moss carpet Come to my house I’ll be your friend for a day
Kyra, Zaine, Maria & Imani
Naomi
This path has known squabbling swans This path has known moonlit secrets This path has known unwanted history This path has known fierce fights This path has known first footsteps This path has known falling hugs This path has known fathers racing This path has known mothers cycling This path has known drumming parades This path has known late night parties Mohammed, Misgina & Amina
Lake The water mirror Floating, glistening, shifting. You are the sleeping beauty of the park Watery heart Chris
These black lives matter Seven girls and boys say cheese They stand tall with pride Mohammed
A rusted handle Old bolt on blue metal gates Hiding a monster Armaan
Red postbox stands there in the light Shadows are waiting for the night Monday to Friday collection at 9 am The morning chaos starts all over again Zaine Red post box, green grass, giant’s shadows It’s coming Little ants, fleeing for their lives It’s coming Heavy footsteps shake the ground It’s coming Footprints in the grass, squashed daisies. It’s coming Rubbish everywhere It’s made a mess Umar
Black forgotten gates A rusting barred prison cell Is someone in there? Daniel
Bolt Rusting and unused Scraping, screeching, holding Waiting to be closed Neglected lock Youle
Paint dripping Swans swimming Bag flying Rubbish lurking Bench crying Clouds drifting Gates stopping Kite flapping Can lying Cat waiting Sign warning Trolley drowning Bolt closing Post box posting Food rotting Path leading Josie
Rush hour driver in a van Scary nightmares driven through the dark Rumbles, knocks, dreadful dreams I’m full of hopes for a good night’s sleep The last stop A crash I wake up
An abandoned ball Waiting to be played with. When will the games start? Amina
Y shaped branchless trunk The dark clouds lurk above A tree fights the sky Josie
Youle, Bailey, Daniel & Roman
The tree wears a wig Its hair blows in winter wind The leaves have fallen Ria
Leafless trees lurking Brown branches against the sky Waiting for the Spring Ismail
A ball on the ground Abandoned and forgotten Waiting to be kicked Youle
Halloween is here The tree has its costume on Have you got yours yet? Misgina & Harrison
7S
Creamy cocoa chocolate delight Golden history Mystery magic Purple Cadbury sensation Exciting amazing aroma sweet Bourneville factory smoke Katya, Ben, Tristan & Malaika
There it sat In the middle of no-where Eyeing the prey Eyeing it suspiciously Eyeing it as if it wasn’t prey! It flew up Flying like a cloud And then fell To the ground Finley
British Telecom Big tower Bustling town Broken tree Brook travels Bird tightrope Bad thieves Bells toll Oliver
Spinning spinning In the wind Spinning spinning With children in Spinning spinning All day long Spinning spinning Feeling sick Ben
Upside the world It’s a vast field With many many red-block houses Such a brilliant and beautiful world Down the world Its endless stream With dead leaves floating on it Such a brilliant and beautiful world Autumn has come On every tree every single leaf Has a shiny yellow coat Such a brilliant and beautiful world
5 lamp posts lighting the way home 26 flies buzzing about 3 people gaze at the dome 5 little gnomes all standing stout 12 torches light the way back home 30 houses nestle snug in rows 600 people now gathered in inside 12 hats jammed against the weather 20 families eating chips and fish (from the sea-side) and 1 winding road that joins them all together Tristan
Tara
Chocolate factory Sweet aroma Bourneville gates History mystery Purple Cadbury Amazing taste Gold ticket Magic cocoa Busy liquid Warm and creamy Sensational delightful
Standing by the window sill Eyeing up his target Watching
Tracey, Ano, Juanita & Jack
Ben
The spy sneaks around waiting For its target, watching Carefully, waiting to kill
Paw mark sunken into stone A feline grey claw scratch Make it angry Chase it Stealthy Hide and sneak Creep Naughty Smooth press Ruined forever
Standing in the crowd Thinking about his target Thinking Hand on target’s shoulder Arresting him Done.
Sun comes down It’s the end of day The evening steadily approaches Such a brilliant and beautiful world. Simon
Private Road Private Roa Private Ro Private R Private Privat Priva Priv Pri Pr P
The spy looks for food Hungry Starving Famished Even a squirrel would suffice Music tones Time circles Doom swings Days toll Clock bell rings Cold metal bell Vast far-reaching morning The whole world shakes At the heavy clang
The spy looks through the gate In the wide green grass There’s a light A brown spark A squeaky object jumps around Often a hitch in its movement Waiting to pounce, the spy leaps And catches the mouse in her mouth
Suhail, Finley & Simon
Warisha
Ella, Hajeeban, Caitlin & Yusuf
Alone on Mars Darkness silence Footprints appear A noise over there Aliens hidden between boulders Sand on the Moon Zooming through outer-space Helpless oxygen storms The adventure never stops Emma & Keira
British Telecom Broadband tower Big tree Barber’s teeth Bringing tea Beneath tower Belligerent town
Vibrant berries on the bush Silently swaying in the wind Bright red berries Singing in the rain As the rain drops go Drip drop drop.
Pile of mystery Hidden away secretly Behind the grey mist
Caitlin
Yusuf
Eloise
Bright lights flood through the trees Autumn fish swimming deep in green A glowing mirror shows the world A bronze storm swirling
Waiting for the bus X61 to Frankley Home is far away Jack, Simon & Ano
Tara
Autumn, autumn The sun fades Leaves fall, gold and orange The cold wind swirls them in the air The leaves change colour In the summer Juanita
Red stamp waiting to deliver distance From me love you Into the post box greetings Real friendship is sealed sincerely On the street corner Post your letter Enduring now Send quickly Royal news to Her Majesty X
Running down the park, they go Happy faces, full of fun Jumping in mud, splashing in puddles Shaking over owners Barking at others
Ella, Hajeeban, Caitlin & Yusuf
Emma
These animals can be crazy Lap or hunting Their life is wild Yes, dog like a child
Heavy metal bell swings Happy celebration music Far-reaching World shaking A mirror backwards An inside out cat? An upside down tree? People on leashes? Animals free? You grow backwards in an upside down world
The autumn leaves swirl Around and around in the wind The fall is here and the trees Are losing their leaves
Lakes on the ceiling? Ducks swimming upside down? What’s wrong with a backward world? Animals on leashes? People free? A right way up tree? A right way out cat? In the distance Maybe, just maybe They’re the right way up And we are the wrong way round Katya
The leaves are waiting For their friends to join them Before winter is here Ella
Katya, Malaika, Ben & Tristan
Humans had existence Far from here Rolled a tear Hajeeban
The Evil Organisation and Raging Destruction of the Universe (Extract) Deep inside, team fears secrets bare There lay the God of Destruction The God of Destruction in its purest form Just one more hour until the time of destruction The ultimate weapon The one which ended the war of thousands of year ago Man VS Pokemon... Cameron
Morning birds sing Into the vast cold Bells ring Time circles The impressive clock clangs
The World’s gone wrong (A rap) There’s so many things In the world going wrong So here’s a few things that are in my song People are starving And all of these people Who suffer everyday Need someone to pay And help the each day Share to help them Live another day Leo
Tall spikes coming out Spiralling red and yellow Trees tower behind Houses stare at it Grass blades point at the spiral As it stands frozen
The mosque was pretty Hand made with different colours We can see gardens Kalkidan & Ary (with Miss. Hirst)
7T
Grace, Emily & Isha
Colossal white car Looking good on the tarmac Range Rover racing Zain, Luke & Imon
Graffiti Sunset Paradise for all who see Garage spray can beach Gleaming white whale Nudging through the shoal Volvo, Tesla, Ford And the Vauxhall flow Red and amber blink Steady green and go Rush and eddy stream Past the pole fish glow Menace in the trees A black Jaguar Woman hugs her young On Broadway Plaza Five guys prowling slow A looming cinema Concrete and tarmac Versus Mother Nature Broken down mattress Marooned on a drive Pompous pigeons strut And litter here thrives Squeegee smiling pilot fish Wipe to survive Urban jungle grime Tributes won’t revive
The great library How does it get its books? The eagle delivers
This is where we live Do you recognise it? Eye of a poet and heart of wit 7T with James.
Freddie
Butlers from big houses who bow to the rich Bottle-washers bringing washing cloths to wash other people’s bottles Bald men meandering in brown wigs Brainy school children battling in a spelling Bee All gather at Assembly Point B Isha, Emily & Grace
Bailey, Harrison & Luke
Just turning morning The rainbow town glimmers As traffic lights blink Grey elephants run across a blue sky The sun slowly sinks People flood the open streets This is the story of those streets Katy & Rachel
Still, grey moss-covered gravestone Lies sleeping beneath the trees Sombre stands the sad stone In peace Quiet skies whisper Chiselled names of resting people Dead fallen leaves People lie dead in their graves The grey sky has fallen quiet Stones have messages and dates engraved Leaves whisper names in the breeze Trees stand still and sombre Unattributed team poem
Len & Luke
Red rose, bright nectar Colours blasting everywhere Flowers make you grin Tash
Explosions of gnomes Vibrant coloured flowers spray An exotic Bomb Usman & Len
Magic cards gather Sly pavement creatures trending They will destroy you
As the bright light shines Soft petals fall into flames No one and touch them Helena
I can’t say Thank you enough I wish you’d stay I need to say I love you and I miss you just because You mean the world to me
Yousaf (with James)
Tash, Jaia & Takiyah
The warm breaking dawn Our huge glamorous city The lovely landscape
Beautiful flowers Vibrant pink, sway in the wind What a lovely day Tash & JJ
Amirah Petals formed from blood Water droplets from the sky Placed within the earth
Embarrassing reports Impossible promises Unwanted habits Haunting love letters Bad memories Out of date dreams Unreliable inventions Ill-advised thinking Poor requests All debts Any negativity False confessions All shredded. Unattributed team poem
Red hooded BM Shiny rims slick like silver Soft leather inside Rio
The April sunshine Swallows swoop above high up My leaves grow at last This one perfect rose Bees of love surrounding me Yes, I am the rose My petals turned brown A blanket of snow now falls My stem is now weak Alone on the ground Unable to get up now Yes I was the rose Takiyah
Printed on recycled paper by Newspaper Club