Are you feeling fierce and tiger-like? Are you full of energy like a bolt of lightning?

Whatever mood you’re in, turn it into a poetic comparison.  If you’re happy, perhaps you’re a sky full of stars.   If you’ve had a bad morning, maybe you’re a storm on a grey beach.  Write down your comparison at the top of your page; this is now the title of a poem. It’s time to push that comparison further. Give us an action. If you’re Storm On A Grey Beach, what do you do? Do you surge, roar, and smash?

If you’re looking for inspiration, check out this wonderful poem by Holly, aged 9.

In another poem, Holly became a flower. The line ‘above me, I see the light blue sky’ is particularly good. It helps put the reader in the scene. Well done, Holly!

Recently, I visited St Kentigern Girls’ School with fellow poet, Gus Simonovic. Gus and I had a wonderful time working with the junior school students and their teachers. Between breaks in the rain, we dashed outside for several poetry walks. While adventuring, the students drew on their senses to come up with original, striking, and imaginative observations. Gus and I scribbled at high speed, gathering their thoughts and poetic comparisons. Back in the classroom, the students, teachers, Gus, and I all worked as one giant poetic brain to turn our adventures into class poems. Gus and I were blown away by the girls’ enthusiasm and love of language.

You’re going to enjoy reading their work!

Caroline