During the Christchurch Heritage Festival in October, we ran three masterclasses exploring both the heritage of inner city Ōtautahi Christchurch and ways in which we can write about the ideas in our heads.
Our young writers collected words from signs, plaques and poems etched on footpaths. Back at Tūranga they worked collaboratively to form new meaning from their found words, making decisions about order and shape and form. It was great fun playing with words in this way.
Here is the second set of two, in which Ice cream Charlie makes a couple of appearances.
May by Rose and Kate
A city's pride and joy,
the weeping willows
of echoing Westminster,
died when everything
was coloured white
when the statue was first laid out
and Victoria Square adopted the lantern ceremony
At the end it was born
a place for the people
after being damaged
when everything was coloured white.
Victory is a masked artist by Vesper and Katie
Children pray for lost secrets
evolving with the times
The white walls to heaven
froze a stopped clock
Nobody is coming to save us
Death won an historic victory
The land
the sky
the ice
and the horizon
The Old TOwn by Morgan and Arabella
The name of Victoria Square was
adopted in spirit and forceful character.
The rails below had seen many
journeys and were ready
for retirement.
Regret evolved as the
character of Victoria Square
changed with time.
The bridge rusted
beyond repair.
What FLavour will you choose? by Tilly and Zoe
Every dish has a story
Charlie's vanilla ice cream
Explore a place for the people
Extreme care!
I do not regret this journey.
Lime.
The Antarctic Gateway by Rhys, Oliver and Joe
A place
for the people
evolving with the times
Unworn age lies
how shallow
from a stopped clock,
their own surprise.
I do not regret this journey
to the Antarctic Gateway
History Quarried by Isabelle, Charlotte, Jess and Rayana
Strong. Safe. Secure.
Trees were planted
the weeping willows of Christchurch
founders of Canterbury
The river
Summer's Avon spelt
a great fortitude
as ever in the past
The Bridge of Remembrance
and buildings of heritage value—
oh, how much history was quarried
But yet
I do not regret
Work safe
Home safe
Look out for trams!
Charlie's Ice cream by Emmi and Isabel
Children of those who suffered
from Charlie's ice cream
evolved with the times
to telephone Captain Robert Falcon Scott
November 1898.
"I do not regret this journey
to commemorate
potatoes wheat and pigs."
Read the other found poems here.
Thank you to our young writers and to our supporters, The Christchurch Heritage Festival and Christchurch Libraries.
(c) Write On and the young writers