THE SPENNYMOOR TIMEPIECE

It stands in the tower above the Town Hall

With four large faces on view

At each quarter we hear its rhythmical jingle

To remind us another striking hour is due.

For many years it has remained aloft

Hearing the sounds of clippetty-clop

Cars and buses and motorbikes

All passing by in daytime and night.

It’s illuminated and grand

Your eyes are drawn up high

To that canopy of blue in the distant sky

To the clock, and not a second behind.

Elizabeth Sayers, Spennymoor, County Durham

MORE THOUGHTS

So much can be written

On a blank page

A ball of wool with kitten

Or birds within a cage,

Close your eyes and see places

Built long before your time

In a coal fire, see faces

Of people in their prime.

Imagination creates magic,

Read of Merlin’s wondrous power

Solomon’s wisdom was not a trick

And leaning Pisa is a tower.

Thinking clearly brings a smile,

Lovely thoughts make life worthwhile.

AEL Smirk, Darlington, County Durham

MY MAGIC BOX

I will put in my box

A bit of clear blue sky

A bit of a warm chocolate brownie

A small light blue unicorn.

I will put in my box

The sound of a colourful parrot squawking loudly

A whiff of warm apple crumble

A burning hot summer’s day.

I will put in my box

A melting delicious ice-cream

The colours light pink, bright yellow and clear white

The textures of a soft comfy feather bed.

My box is made of clear white

Shiny crystals with diamonds on the lid

And wishes in the corner

I will keep my box

In a white snow-like tunnel

With gold stars all around

And dinosaurs’ teeth attached to the stars.

Sarah Kennard, aged nine, Middlesbrough