Poetry and Creative Writing for All

Alison Wade

I’m from St Helena, a small island in the Atlantic Ocean, unique and peaceful.

I’ve been writing poetry since I was 12 years old, and won my first prize at my school for Hard Times on St Helena, a poem about how life use to be.

I have always loved writing poetry, and recently some of my poems have been used as songs, just changing a few words. I was really excited when 3 of my songs was released.

I was overwhelmed when I won the prize for October, it has boost my spirit for the new year and I certainly will continue to write.

Let there be Peace

Everyday around the world, its so hard to survive
Little children suffering, no hope to stay alive
No home and no family, no cosy bed at night
No hugs or no kisses, no Mum to hold the tight

Lets make this world a better place, for us all to enjoy
Giving hope and sharing love, with every girl and boy
When I sit and realise, that I am truly blessed
I can’t help but shed a tear in thanks and happiness

So let there be peace eternally
Let’s fill the world with love and harmony
This is the time for unity
So let there be peace for you and for me

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Mum

Mum you’re full of kindness; you’re warm and caring too
You give me strength and show me faith, in everything I do
You’re smile as bright as sunshine, you’re love so radiant
So patient and forgiving you’re my angel heaven sent.

Mum you’re full of wisdom, so gentle yet so strong
You comfort me and calm my fears, you taught me right from wrong
Thank you for all you’ve done, you give so generously
You’re a blessing from above, and you mean the world to me.

Mum I know you are the best, so special in every way
I love you more than I can express, and I’ll love you til my dying day.

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Hard Times Long Ago

Many years ago, when are parents were so poor,
They wore clothes made from flour bags because they couldn’t afford anything more,
Our fathers had to work for about two shillings a day,
Unlike now we get a much bigger pay.
Out in the flax mills men had to work,

This generation today would have gone berserk,
With the old rough roads under our feet,
Boots, shoes or socks our wage couldn’t meet.
Children had to work before going to school each day,

On home arrival work waiting and no time for play,
A strip of grandpa’s felt hat for wick in our oil lamps,
Sometimes not a hot bath because the wood was so damp.
Bread and jam then was often our diet,

But no one complained we all took it quiet,
To have a lot of meat was all very fine,
There were no refrigerators so we had to put it in brine.
Compact radios and tape recorders then were unknown,

So Grandpa played the gramophone,
We couldn’t afford to paint our homes with pretty paints,
But we were not ashamed because we are all Saints.

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Our Beautiful Island

St Helena, this beautiful island is always home to us
no matter how far we travel returning is a must,
To see family and friends after so many years
down at the sea front there’s laughter and tears.

For 500 years we have cherish this place
grass beds and earth toilets were no disgrace,
On special occasions we would have some meat
to have cakes and puddings were really a treat.

To talk about life in the past is always fun
grandpa played the gramophone, after work was done,
Putting felt in our oil lamps, to give us some light
and a good hot bath every Saturday night

With electricity, refrigerators, showers and telephones
our lives are comfortable, no moans or groans,
We have challenging jobs that gives reasonable pay
and there’s always food for another day.

Our environment is friendly, clean and secure
so tourist travel miles to quietly endure,
Our natural hospitality and contagious smiles
is always found in our 47 square miles.

The sceneries throughout are exquisite
we’ll welcome anyone to enjoy a visit
This attractive little island is so unique
no airport, and just one language to speak.

There’s a violent world around us out there
but for gunshots and bombs we have no fear,
So we are thankful that we are blessed
with peace, freedom, love and happiness.

We are free from plane that pollutes the air
so lets keep it safe and show that we care,
This tiny isle in the Atlantic Ocean
An airport would spoil its admiration

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Country Night

Dress Country Style, on Saturday night
Make sure those boots, fit just right
Put on your gear; saddle up your horse,
You’re in for a good time, off course

So dress your best, and win that prize
Show of your steps, you line dancing guys
Let’s make it a night, in country style
Come on girls, drive those men wild,

So ride on out to Pub Paradise
Where the atmosphere is always nice
The music’s good, the chilli beans are hot
Have some fun, come on, Why not?

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Submission Guidelines: Poems of no more than 30 lines in length each will be considered.