Some original and moving takes on the theme of ‘Home’ were expressed by primary school pupils in a poetry competition run by the University of Winchester
Part of the University’s recent conference for Refuge Week was an online assembly with renowned local poet and refugee Majid Dhana (also known as JidosReality) which is estimated to have reached 1,200 young people.
Majid’s theme was ‘Our Home’, and KS2 & KS3 students were asked to explore and express their unique perspectives on what home means to them.
The best entries, chosen by Majid, are now on show in the University’s St Alphege Building, where the young poetry stars met up with the Zimbabwe-born poet.
As well as describing some of his experiences as a stateless refugee, Majid (pictured above with four of the young poets) gave each of the winners a critique of their work and encouraged all of them to keep writing.
“Write what you feel inside,” said Majid. “Poetry is fee therapy and will help you as you grow up.”
Sarah Harder-Collins, Deputy Director, Student Support and Success at the University, said: “We have been blown away by the excellence of the work from all the young people.”
She thanked young poets for sharing their work and told them their poems were being displayed in a very busy part of the university where they would be seen by hundreds of students on their way to and from lectures.
The winning poems:
The War
It was the war that forced me from my home,
It was the war that left me all alone.
It was the war that took my family,
It was the war that made me flee.
It was the war that made me migrate.
It is war that I hate.
Caitlin, Year 5, Langrish Primary School
Home
Home is family, family is love,
Love is hope, everyone should have love.
Nothing lasts forever, but everyone should feel safe.
Safe is hope and hope is love,
Love is family and family is home.
Everything changes, but that’s fine,
Be brave, you might lose sometimes,
But that doesn’t matter if you have love.
If you have love, you have the sun,
You have a home.
Eliza, Year 5, Langrish Primary School
Home
Home is my safe place,
Of where I feel peace,
My shelter when it rains heavily,
Everyone has a special place and mine is my home.
Home can be big or small,
Or many different shapes and sizes,
Magical and safe,
Enjoyment is consistent.
Happily I stay,
On the special peak of my home,
My memories are cherished here,
Everyone is welcomed.
Jasmine, Year 6, Winklebury Junior School
My Home
My home is not made of bricks and wood
It is made of the relationships that have sprouted.
Grown in the soil and the dirt
Only time will properly nurture.
My home is a place I seek comfort
My worries are acknowledged.
My happiness is spread
These small acts are more meaningful in my head.
It may not be perfect,
But the imperfections shine
Just like a butterfly finding its light.
This is my home. Flesh and bone.
Eva, Year 6, Winklebury Junior School
The Other Side
A young boy wakes up on his birthday.
He goes downstairs and he cries.
He didn’t get the cool game all his other friends have.
Meanwhile, another boy wakes up on his birthday.
He goes downstairs and smiles.
He didn’t get a cool new game or toys; he got war.
But he is happy he is still alive.
Rory, Year 6, Cove Junior School
Refugees
I’ve travelled far away,
Far, far away.
I’ve left my family at the age of 14,
I had to.
If I didn’t,
I would’ve died.
I made it,
But I don’t know if they did too.
Three days later,
I’m living on the streets.
Begging for money.
29 years later,
I live in an apartment.
I have a job.
But I’m just managing to pay off my rent.
50 years later,
I miss my home,
I miss my family,
I’m all alone.
Emily, Year 6, Cove Junior School
Refugee
Here and there
The world must see
How it feels
To be a refugee
Find a country
So open and kind
But to be told, “no!”
They must be blind
Broken home
Broken hearts
Nobody’s there
Forever apart
Maybe one day
The world will see
How it feels
To be a refugee
Anna, Year 6, St Peter’s Catholic Primary School
Refugee
Realising they have to leave their country
Everyone set out on the endless journey across the sea.
Fear was gathering around for days
Until they saw land again.
Gladly accepting their new home,
Escape has been achieved
Everyone welcomed them to their new future.
Hanna, Year 6, St Peter’s Catholic Primary School
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