The birds tweeting, the animals playing with no sense of fear

I wish I could run about with them but mum says I should grow tall and green

I stare up at the clear sky wondering about all the places I’ve never seen

As I stand and talk to my brother

I wonder if the loud constant vibrations were thunder

Pure destruction no more fresh air round here

But I still stand tall with no sense of fear

These giant hands approach me

I think about being cold and lonely

What is my life going to be

An item of nature, an item of humanity or a start to a piece of poetry

Boxed up up with no hope

A land of rotting nature, how can I ever cope

Made by god to be smoked by man

I love the fresh air around here as I sail away to another land

The birds tweeting, the animals playing with no sense of fear

I wish I could run about with them but mum says I should grow tall and green

I stare up at the clear sky wondering about all the places I’ve never seen

As I stand and talk to my brother

I wonder if the loud constant vibrations were thunder

Pure destruction no more fresh air round here

But I still stand tall with no sense of fear

These giant hands approach me

I think about being cold and lonely

What is my life going to be

An item of nature, an item of humanity or a start to a piece of poetry

Boxed up up with no hope

A land of rotting nature, how can I ever cope

Made by god to be smoked by man

I love the fresh air around here as I sail away to another land

“You can’t come here, your skin is dark”

I will stand firm and proud!

“You can’t sit there, your skin is coloured”

I will stand firm and proud!

You can never achieve that, your skin is the wrong colour”

I will stand firm and proud!

You can’t love here, you’re not the same as us”

I will stand firm and proud!

I will do it with pride

“Drag that coal over here!”

I will do it with pride

“Clip my toe nails, slave”

I will do it with pride

“Shave my body hair”

I will do it with pride

“make me the finest feast in the land”

I will do it with pride

“Mine me that gold, slave”

I will do it with pride

“Slay your cattle and feed it to me”

“Strip and entertain me”

Dignity taken and head lowered

I will do it with pride

PRIDE

I demand my hair with the wit of a rebel

Like the hate of the bull, the might of the lion

I refuse, I refuse, I refuse

I refuse to go bald like a fish

I command my curls it’s my only wish

Like the will of the hawk, patience of the crab

I refuse, I refuse, I refuse

I refuse to go bald like a melon

If you dare, I’ll peck your eyes like a heron

Like the love of a swan, the wonder of the snake

I refuse to go bald, I REFUSE!

Saul: Living things would have equal rights

Rory: I would cut out all arguments and brutal fights

There would be harmony and peace on earth

You could even play football on Wembley’s turf

You could eat anything and not put on weight

And you won’t be tired if you go to bed late

No murderers, paedophiles and any  scary thing

All this nice stuff is what I would bring

And last of all but definitely not least

Let’s all please share a massive fest  

Animals can’t breathe

Then we kill and package them

Yet we still eat meat

Black, white or yellow

Although we look different

We are still the same

Through peaceful combat

No longer will I abide

Heart strong, head high

No longer will I abide

Fists unclenched, hands by my side

No longer will I abide

No look on my face, no expression in my eye

No longer will I abide

I will take all the lashes, onward, can stride

No longer will I abide

The future, good minds on my side

No longer will I abide

No friends, no family, all have died

No longer will I abide

Take my belongings, my dignity and my pride

No longer will I abide

No longer will I abide

Through peaceful combat

No longer will I abide

Heart strong, head high

No longer will I abide

Fists unclenched, hands by my side

No longer will I abide

No look on my face, no expression in my eye

No longer will I abide

I will take all the lashes, onward, can stride

No longer will I abide

The future, good minds on my side

No longer will I abide

No friends, no family, all have died

No longer will I abide

Take my belongings, my dignity and my pride

No longer will I abide

No longer will I abide

Walking down a path that lead to my child, Tundea’s school.

I think about what’s happening to the justice of our country.  

I see my mum approaching the same as everyday but today’s there’s something different. She’s not usually this way.  

As I come nearer I think about how to say to her that today we’re not going home as usual. We might never go home again. 

 I get told were going to the station. We are going on a protest to give up ourselves like the rest of our nation. 

 Thousands of people stand around the entrance we all start singing songs against the hated laws of Sharpeville.  

I see my friend form school with his mum and dad as well. I shout to him but my voice gets drowned out by the noise. 

 I turn around and see that everyone has started to scream franticly. I take Tundea’s hand and start to run. But the police have come and they have their guns.  

Everything’s gone blurry. I can hear a moan. I look back to try and find her.

I am alone.

Wonky, out of place and yellow

Why must we see the tools that they use?

Torture, fear and pain.

Why must we have the light like the shining sun in our eyes?

Bright, blinding and useless.

Why must we be patronized with lollies and stickers?

It’s like being a dog which can’t be understood

Why must we make such a fuss?Life’s too short 

By Avril 8c and Eleni 8e