Childhood Poetry Competition

Leading my squadron in V-formation
I piloted my spitfire through heavy cloud
down Norlingtom Road.
Eyes peeled and arms outstretched
I held the centre of the street
until a voice behind cried: ‘Hey! Look out!’
I turned about, to find – not a Messerschmit –
but the insurance man on a big black bike…

Next thing – my aircraft nowhere to be seen –
I was plucked from the gutter
bleeding from nose and knee.
I decided not to return fire because
the enemy gave me fourpence
and cycled off.

Bravely, now walking-wounded,
a grubby handkerchief around my knee,
I hobbled home,
proud of my clinking coins.

Back at base,
my mother saw my winnings differently
and threw them round the kitchen.
Enough for a loaf,
they weren’t enough to pay the doctor
and the daily dressings for a week.
(The scar still bears witness)

Reflecting during convalescence,
I considered that the skies
Were unnecessarily dangerous
and decided to join the navy.
Luckily, there was a convenient
cardboard box in the garden shed
and an old tennis racquet for a paddle…

Through phantom shapes all Persil white
I duck and weave and try to track
My unknown friend, who’s out of sight,
But always there, behind my back.

I sniff the laundry freshness air,
Remember sound of mangle squeeze
And peggy plunge. I want to share
The Reckitt’s blue in gentle breeze.

I know he’s there. His presence hides
Behind the yellow rosebush. See,
Behind the old oak’s leafy tides,
He eddies through and teases me.

Gran sighs and scolds. I laugh and run
And skip through sheets’ divided pegs,
I tumble in the noontide sun
And feel soft earth upon my legs.

I roll in daisy snow, my feet
In purple clover. I can smell
The coolness of a flapping sheet,
The new-mown grass, a summer spell.

I play my tireless hide and seek
For gossamer and cobwebbed friend,
Elusive tease, his tongue in cheek.
I never want the game to end.

And when the day draws to a close,
And I am tucked in bed by Gran,
I hope that he will send me those
Deep dreams of him, my Peter Pan.

Shortlisted
Entries shortlisted to the final judging stage of the Childhood poetry competition were from: Daphne Clarke, Richmond, North Yorkshire; Roy Cockcroft, Foxley, East Dereham, Norfolk; Mac Dowling, Ferney-Voltaire, France; Stephanie Ellis, Sholing, Southampton; Averil Farrar, Denby Dale, Huddersfield; Pam Gidney, Andover, Hampshire; Beryl Haigh, Headington, Oxford; Yvonne Jackson, South Kilvington, Thirsk, North Yorkshire; Isla McAucklin, Kilgarvan, Co Kerry, Ireland; Alison Mosquera, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Diane Simkin, Camborne, Cornwall; Liz Summerson, Hilperton Marsh, Trowbridge, Wiltshire.