Logan Pawley – Age 7

Crazy snow excites

A million flakes falling

Whirling in the gusts 

Duncan Bartlett

I remember being captivated by the cascading waterfall,

As it crashed over the rocks by the long gone ice cream stall.

I remember fish in the still waters under Mercury’s watchful eyes,

And listening to the brass band underneath summer’s azure skies.

I remember paddling and splashing in a pool in the open air,

My red yacht sailing on the pond with the slightest breath of air.

I remember moving away and leaving all the memories behind,

Pastures new were calling and there were new adventures to find.

I remember the years rolled by and the wanderer made his return,

Many changes filled his eyes in the city that he yearned.

I remember my blushing bride clinging to me as we walked,

First along the riverbank, kicking leaves up as we talked.

I remember returning to the park and the memories from before,

Now with children of my own it was time for them to explore.

I remember the pool, the fish, the bandstand had sadly disappeared,

Long gone was the waterfall, no ice creams and my eyes teared.

I remember times move on, we could see a board and roller park,

Basketball hoops, table tennis had now taken up their mark.

We remember walking a little further, there was a stirring in my soul,

There it was, in front of us, my rock, my fort, my goal.

I remember that was my bench, slightly warped, a split, a crack,

There it was with open arms and that sturdy oaken back.

I remember seeing initials carved which somehow gave it charm,

Memories of lovers, just like us, sat gazing in each other’s arms.

We remember all those times, sitting, watching our children grow,

Now the bench takes on a different form which nobody could know.

We remember, we will always remember 2020 and time beyond,

We sit on that bench with our memories in the reflection of the pond.

We remember the loved ones who have left us sadly all too soon,

We reflect on their lives as we sit there howling at the moon.

We will always remember sitting on our bench, it’s our escape,

As we sit and watch the world go by in this meaningful parkscape.

Bill Beaumont (York resident and friend of Rowntree Park)

(With acknowledgment and apologies to Kenneth Grahame – Wind in the Willows)

In Rowntree Park, down on the lake,

By the grass and trees so tall,

Ducks and coots are a-dabbling,

Up tails all.

Ducks and drakes and coots tails,

Pointing up toward the sky,

Their heads down underwater,

No sound, no call or cry.

Feeding as they float along,

Just where they love to be,

Heads down and tails up,

Dabbling free.

Throughout the park folk come and go,

Children run and play and fall,

And the water fowl are still a-dabbling,

Up tails all.

Katy Brown

Through autumn, summer, winter and spring.

This park brings us joy, in the memories it brings.

Annie jumps in puddles, while Max counts the ducks.

Mrs B at number 6 reminisces old memories, with one of her heartfelt looks.

It’s the crunch of the leaves, the glisten of light on the pond.

It’s the adventures that await our children, which is why we are so fond.

From a child to an adult, I have walked this park.

The sounds of laughter and conversations and a new puppy’s bark.

We share it with the squirrels, the ducks and the geese.

But it’s when we see the white doves kissing, that we really find our peace.

So come sit, come natter.

We are all friends at Rowntree.

Read, eat, drink and play.

Get lost amongst life and just be.

Class 6PM

Some of the poems in the children’s collection have been inspired by the work of Valerie Bloom.

A fox as red as the ripest cherries,

It barely eats any ripe berries,

As strong as an ox,

Even though it’s a tiny little fox,

As sleepy as an owl,

Listen to its little growl,

It cannot fly,

It is really sly,

As fast as lightning,

It’s barely even frightening. 

Anthony

———————-

A Guessing Poem

Swaying in the blue sky,

Like a cup for the bees filled with pollen,

Like a tiny bell in the bright green grass.

Grace

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A Guessing Poem: Lake 

A gleaming carpet of blue,

Swaying in the breeze,

With tranquil surroundings,

Wading through it up to my knees.

Milosz 

———————

Drifting in the breeze

All quiet, all calm

Fast wind running through the sky

Facedown on the ground

On the mountain 

Daffodils moving 

It’s all a dream

Like butter melting

Lily

———————-

I Asked the Mushroom

‘Why do you hide?’ I asked the mushroom

Underneath your speckled umbrella.’

‘I hide,’ the mushroom said, ‘because

I like the dark my good fella.’

‘Why do you stand still as stone?’ I asked the mushroom,

On the forest floor?’

‘Because’ the mushroom smiled,

I like to watch the raindrops pop, you may find it a bore.

Ashton

——————————–

A Guessing Poem: dog

I’m a man’s best friend

I’m a park, playing, pet,

Have you got a bone to lend?

When I’m sick I go to the vet

Ellis-Jack 

———————–

Blue as the ocean 

Long and high stems reaching towards the sun

Under the trees a gloomy flower stands

Each flower is a magician’s hat 

But why does it look so sad?

Everyday the bluebell greets the sun

Laying in the grass

Longing to be noticed

Tonya

—————

Sunshine smile upon your face,

Up to the sky so high you race,

Never gloomy,

Full of joy,

Loving life, never coy,

Others seem so small around you

Wonderful wonder of nature,

Everyone stops to stare at your beauty

Raise your head to greet the sun.

Amy

————–

I Asked the Tree

‘Why do you grow so tall?’ I asked the tree,

so tall the top I can’t see?’

‘I grow,’ the tree said, ‘because 

up to the sun I want to be.’

‘Why do you have so many branches?’ I asked the tree

hundreds of them grow over time,

‘Because,’ the tree smiled,

‘I grow them for you and your friend to climb.’

Laila

————————–

I Asked the Bluebell

‘Why do you greet the sun?’ I asked the bluebell,

In the little pond.’

‘I greet the sun,’ the bluebell said, ‘because

we have a special bond.’

‘Why do you play?’ I asked the bluebell

In the green sunny park.’

‘I play’ the bluebell smiled,

To keep away the dark.’

Zara

——————–

Dancing slowly in the crisp, summer breeze 

A ball of butterscotch-yellow

Forever free and completely at ease

Failing to not feel mellow

Over time, its petals started to grey

Drooping and sadly fading

In weeks then, winter returned

Laying out its icy cloak of snow.

Jillian

———————-

I Asked the Green Shoot

‘Why do you wave’ I asked the green shoot

In the wind you face the sun’

‘I wave,’ the green shoot said, ‘because

It makes me greet the fun.’

‘Why do you dance?’ I asked the little green shoot 

Swaying to the breeze

‘Because’ the green shoot smiled,

‘It keeps away the freeze.’

Luka

————————

Many Colours Form 

Into A Beacon Of Hope 

After The Thunder 

Matthew 

————————-

Luscious carpet of blue

Amazing reflection of the sun

Kicking the paddles of the boats

Enjoying the dancing fish

Talicia

———————–

Class 6G

Some of the poems in the children’s collection have been inspired by the work of Valerie Bloom.

Do you enjoy the breeze?

And do you like the bees?

For a small flower just like you

Fields that you live in split in two

Or even parks 

Do you ever feel afraid of the dark

I’m never in the dark I keep it away

Love is the key so I never feel grey

Abigail 

————–

Light as bright as the sky 

Angels watching above your head 

Knite flying across the sky,
Eggs rolling across the floor.

Alivia 

——————

A Guessing Poem

Tall and bright yellow,

Reaching stretching and growing,

Basking in the sun.

Archie

Lots of fresh water like drinking from a waterfall.

An amazing stream with a small waterfall.

Keeping treasure beneath me.

Enjoying the beautiful sun.

Jason 

——————

I Asked the Willow Tree

‘Why do you cry?’ I asked the willow tree,

‘I don’t like to see you sad.’

‘I cry,’ the willow tree said, ‘because

I am alone in this big countryside.’

‘Why do you have no leaves?’ I asked the willow tree.

‘Because’ the willow tree smiled,

‘Because autumn is coming and I have to be ready for the winter.’

Lucas

———————-

A Guessing Poem 

Lollipop like

Stands tall in the wind

A fluffy head

A thin body

Robyn

——————

Why do you grow so big?

Is it because you can relax so high

Laying there in the sky

Lying in the grass below

Optimistically the people watch you grow

Why not discover what’s down below?

There could be something good but you don’t know 

Rearing for the young birds in their nest

Everything is good to go

Even though you are unsure we love to watch you grow

Sienna

——————-

Dancing in the breeze

Air into the petals breezing past 

Feasting on bees

Funny yellow flower dancing in the strong breeze

Open yellow thing in the distance you will see

Dancing in the strong wind at some point you will see

I’m a flower dancing in the strong breeze you will find me in a field next to lots of flowers like a cow

Learning other people getting to know other people what am I?

Thomas

—————–

Blue like the sea 

Like a cup for a mouse 

Under the dark oak trees 

Eating water under the trees 

Beds for bees 

Eating the roasting hot sun 

Like a berry blue 

Laughing under the sun 

Sat with its blue friends 

Summer

———————

A Guessing Poem

Blur reaching at the sun, 

Tiny as a kitten’s paw,

A twisting treasure,

Never stopping to shut the door.

Marina

————————-

Dancing and swaying in the air

A little dandelion with grey hair

Night time comes say goodbye to the sun

Day time rises a new day begun

Energetic little fly flew on top of her head

Lazy fly made herself in bed

In the morning the wind began to blow 

“Ouch!” she cried and then said, “oh no!”

Now her seeds are spreading, making new homes

Julia

————————

Scattering away from a cat,

Quickly climbing up the tree,

Unbelievable to climb that fast,

Irritating all the dogs,

Rushing to collect the nuts,

Raindrops make you hide away,

Eagerly dancing for the rest of the day,

Loving to tease all the rats.

Toni

—————————

Dancing in the wind and welcoming the spring

As slender as a model proud of their mane of petals

Fanfare of golden trumpets playing together

Flowers in a group like they are partying at a festival

On sunny days they are happy watching the winter disappear

Dreaming they will get a visit from the bees soon

Individually very small but all together a sea of bright yellow

Luminous like the warm sun 

Summer comes they began to crumble but they will be back next year

Matilda

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