As part of a mentor task in their Creative Writing learning, Year 9 students were asked to analyse the style and language of their favourite piece of writing by a published author. Following this, students were then asked to write their own creative piece in a similar style. The process took about three weeks.
The aim of the task was for the students to learn to express themselves using a distinct writing style, focus on word selection and the meaning of words and learn to appreciate the highly individualistic nature of writing.
Two of the students, Chanel Fernando and Grace Napoleone, share their poetry and a little about what they enjoy about poetry.
Chanel Fernando (Year 9 Purple):
I absolutely love writing poetry because of how I can express my thoughts and feelings and let my creative juices flow with just pen and paper. Unlike Maths, it’s something I don’t necessarily need to think about and I can write endlessly when I get an inspiration. I really encourage everyone to give poetry a go. It’s so much fun!
God
by Chanel Fernando
Lost fate,
Insufferable weight,
Moon and stars separate,
Oh so bleak,
This heart is going to leak,
In search of God.
He lost the track —
Didn’t realise the crack —
As the boy split apart —
The path was broad.
Awaken to a fraud.
That looked like God.
The dream he can’t find.
It is right behind
He met his concealed heart —
‘Is it far’, he prayed.
‘Where is it laid —
The land of God?
‘Tears assemble stairways
To heaven,
The cross you carry will forgive,
Faith, will convert life,’
The heart responded, —
‘If you seek for God!’
Grace Napoelone (Year 9 Jade):
I really enjoy writing poetry as I find it an easy way to freely express myself. It is a way for me to tell others how I feel about certain things. Poetry can be anything you want it to be. It can be a light-hearted rhyme, or a deep and meaningful piece. Poetry gives you freedom and choice.
From the Depths
by Grace Napoleone
Not once, have I begged for pity
Even as I saunter through the city.
From the depths and hollows of my chest
The emptiness aches when I put my body to rest.
I am not the same as others remember
When my heart glowed like an ember
When my eyes published novels
Before my house began to fill with bottles.
By the crackling edge of the cliff
By the eye of the forest as the trees stand stiff
By the shoreline with the breeze going fast
I stand still as my soul tries to forget the past.
I followed you through the deep end
Then you left me here unable to comprehend
You were too far gone to be saved
Now all that’s left is a stone that is engraved.
You were addicted and you were consumed
All you created was a continuous wound
Lost and alone, overwhelmed with fear
All that I ever hear is the sound of your tears
My cries yelled out over the mountains and hills
But you were so busy taking your pills
The vines and valleys I wander through
Haunted by the ghost of you.
