First Prize, Poetry 15 - 18 years

I Wish I Were Big

I wish I were big,

Have long legs to keep up with the older children,

I could lead the games at school,

Look down on the little ones,

I could rule the school.

I wish I were big,

No more forests of legs as I walk down the street,

Strange men stepping on my feet,

Huge faces smiling down at me,

No more hiding behind mummy,

I could be brave.

I wish I were big,

I could stay up late at night,

wouldn't it be great,

I would make the monster in cupboard disappear,

Just like Mummy does,

Have no fear of darkness,

I could be brave.

I wish I were big,

I could tie up shoelaces like Daddy does,

Drive the car to work,

No more playing with imaginary friends,

I could have a real adventure,

If only I were big,

One day I will be big,

Enter the grownups’ world,

Leave the wild place of a small child's mind,

I will walk and talk like they do,

My games will become real,

Will be more than imagination,

I will be like that one day,

I will be big.

By Elise Davies

Chew Valley School