This poem was highly commended in our recent Year 7-8 Matariki: Reach for the Stars Poetry competition. The winning poems will be published in Write On 56.
More than a person
by Gemma Buchanan, age 12
I am my own person, thoughts and feelings. But then, I am limitless, infinite. like space and time. My skin, face and figure don’t outline me. My words, intelligence, and wit, don’t define me. The train of thought in my head is too loud for that. The steam pouring out of the chimney, would fill the whole universe if I wanted it to.
Don’t you ever think that
you can design me.
I am not caged by mere bones,
or your words.
If the stars are not arranged for me,
I shall stretch my hands up
to the inky heavens
and realign them myself.
My life will be a comet,
ripping a hole
in the blanketed galaxy above.
This poem has been edited with permission of the poet.
(c) Write On and the poet 2021