Transcript

SOUND - Walking

Hi everyone! Little Dazzy Donuts here with a special bonus episode of Kids’ Poetry Club. I really enjoyed listening to some of the Spring competition entries last week and so we’re doing it again this week. Don’t forget that the deadline is April 30th, and so there’s still plenty of time to send in your own Spring poems. It has been wonderful to receive those that have already come in. A massive THANK YOU to everyone who has sent a poem or drawing.

Last week, Queenie mentioned that she’d have a surprise for me at the Club today – so I can’t wait to see what it is. Well, I’m here now – let’s open the door and find out.

SOUND – attempting to unlock and opening door.

That’s strange. I can’t get in.

SOUND

It appears to be locked from the inside. Hang on – can you hear that commotion? It’s coming from inside the Club.

SOUND - Knocking.

Hi Queenie. Are you in there?

Queenie – Errr … yes. I am. But I’m not ready yet. I need more time.

Oh, okay. Do you need any help? Is everything alright?

Queenie – Errr … well, I’m in here with some of my Spring friends and we’re preparing for your surprise. But I think we’re a long way from everything being alright. Oh gosh … what was that crash? I’m sorry Little Dazzy Donuts, how about I play the music while I regain control in here.

That sounds like a good idea. While Queenie plays the intro music,  get wriggling around to find a comfortable spot. I’m not totally sure what’s happening … but welcome to this bonus episode of Kids’ Poetry Club!

Queenie – Oh no – what have I just stepped in? Yuck! Who did this?

Welcome back to this bonus episode of Kids’ Poetry Club. I’m sat outside of the Club on the doorstep waiting for whatever is happening inside to finally stop, and for Queenie to open the door. There have been some very strange noises coming out of the Club, that’s for sure.

SOUND – door opens.

Queenie – Hi Little Dazzy Donuts!

Hi Queenie. Why are you sticking your head through the crack in the door and not letting me in?

Queenie – It’s all to do with your surprise. Oh, hang on a minute … (Please folks, I just need a minute of peace so that I can chat with Little Dazzy Donuts … oh no, don’t eat that. I don’t even think that’s edible.)  I’m sorry little Dazzy Donuts. I’m going to need some more time. Look, here are some poems … can you read those while you wait?

On the doorstep?

Queenie – Unfortunately, yes! Oh …. I have an idea …. Wait a mo … I’ll be right back.

SOUND – Door closes.

SOUND – Door opens.

Queenie – Here’s a speaker. If you find any poems you want to listen to, just shout the poet’s name through the door and I’ll play the recording. I’m sorry – I’ve got to get back in there. I’m walking a fine line between a genius surprise and a total farse.

SOUND Door closes.

Umm … errr … wow. She’s gone. There really are some strange noises coming out of the Club. Oh well, I’ll try not to worry about it, and read some poems instead. There are a lot in this pile Queenie has given me … let’s take a look at this first one. It’s from Noah in Wales, and is called The Spring Tree. I like the thought of a poem about how important trees are to Spring. Queenie, could you play Noah’s recording please.

Queenie – Sure … hang on … let me step over this … and climb over that … and remove this … there we go. Okay, here’s Noah’s recording. You’re going to like this one!

SOUND

Noah - Strong and silent, I stand alone, Towering over the humans homes, Flowers blooming upon me, I am the Spring Tree. Watching from my grassy hill, Spreading spring warmth to all, I'm sure the bees'll agree, I am the Spring Tree Spreading life to all that's dead, Watch the rainbow of life begin to spread, Release all who cower from winter, Let the spirit of spring enter, I am, for all to see, I am the Spring Tree.

Thank you, Noah – what a lovely poem. I love the idea that the Spring tree is watching from its grassy hill and is there for us all to see. Trees change so much from season to season, and I like how you’ve captured the life of a tree in Spring. Thank you!

Noah’s poem includes bees … and coincidentally, here come some bees now. It looks like they’re waiting to get into the Club. Queenie – are these bees here for your surprise?

Queenie – Bees? The bees are here???? That’s so exciting. Chicken – the bees arrived! Can you make some room at the back for them please?

SOUND – Door opens. Bees.

SOUND – Door closes.

While Queenie and Chicken make room for the bees, let’s look through this stack of poems some more. Oh, I like this one – it’s from Jack in the United States. Queenie, could you play Jack’s poem for us please?

Queenie – Jack’s poem? Oooohhhh … that’s the one with sour bees. I like that idea. Let me play it now.

Jack – In the Spring, there are flowers. The bees think they’re sour. They sting with lots of power. I see birds up in the sky, with my little eagle eye. They fly so high. Bye, I say to the birds. Bye, bye.

Thank you, Jack. What a fun poem! You mention the Spring flowers, bees, and birds. I’ve seen so many of all of those in my garden in these first few weeks of Spring. Thank you, Jack, for your poem and your recording.

Queenie – Little Dazzy Donuts?

Yes, Queenie. Are you ready to open the door now?

Queenie – Errrr … not quite. I’ve lost something. By any chance, have you seen anything out there that looks like it should be in here?

What sort of thing?

Queenie – well, you’d know it if you saw it. It has horns.

Horns? There’s nothing out here with horns. Hang on – so you’ve lost something with horns?

Queenie – well, if it’s not out there, it must be in here somewhere. Chicken …. Chicken …. Little Dazzy Donuts says it’s not out there. Can you check the cupboards again?

Well, Queenie – while Chicken looks for whatever you’ve lost with horns, can you play another poem for me? Let’s see – oh, I’d love to hear the poem by Josephine from the United States. It’s called February.

Queenie – Sure. I like that poem too. It’s like a picture painted in words. Oh, hang on … who left this straw on the poem recordings? Was that you? Okay, well, can you keep it over there please? Okay … here goes. Here’s Josephine’s poem.

Josephine: The cold breeze brings you the warmest feeling. The ever green bushes bloom flowers you never knew were there. The pond becomes the blue sky's mirror. The top of the tallest tree in its reflection. The wind howls as winter writes its last love letter. The smell of pollen is calling to the flower beds. The warmth has woken from its nap. The angels are lying on cotton clouds. They're painting the sky the color of flower crowns . The uncut grass smells freshly mowed . The snow queen has gone to rest. The call of spring in a winter kissed chrysalis.

Thank you, Josephine. I really like how your poem captures the change of seasons from Winter into Spring. There’s so much beautiful imagery in your poem! Thank you Josephine.

You know what, we have received so many great poems for the Spring competition. It’s so nice to read poems about a change of season, especially a change that brings about flowers, animals, insects, color, and life. Oh hang on … what’s this coming up the path …

It’s lambs. Well, they’re very Spring-like … but I’m surprised that they here at the Club. Queenie? Are these lambs for you?

Queenie – lambs? Did you say lambs? Oh gosh – I didn’t think they were going to make it. How are we ever going to fit in more animals. Chicken – if the Ducks go up on top of the book shelf, would that make enough room for the lambs?

SOUND – Chicken.

Queenie – okay. It looks like we’re going to shoe-horn in the lambs. I’ll let them in now.

SOUND – door opens. Lambs.

SOUND – door closes.

Okay, I’m still out here on the doorstep … and to be completely honest with you, I’m actually quite glad. I feel much safer out here than I would in there with Queenie and Chicken. Queenie – how’s it going in there.

Queenie – Oh – it’s peachy. Real peachy.

But not peachy enough for you to let me in?

Queenie – Oh no – nowhere near that peachy. (Oh no! No! Don’t do that. Not now. Oh my. Does anyone have a wet wipe?)

Okay, Queenie – while you battle to regain some control over whatever is happening in there, let’s hear another poem. Oh, this one would be perfect … it’s from Caitlin from Ireland. It’s about an activity that someone can do in Spring. Queenie, could you play Caitlin’s poem for us please.

Queenie – Caitlin’s poem? Oooohhhh … I like that one. It’s about something I’d love to do on a Spring day. Let me play it now.

Caitlin: We made a paper aeroplane, It didn’t fly that high… It went sharply up, then sharply down, And straight into my eye!? We tried throwing it from the window, Hoping height would make the difference, Unfortunately, thought it started well, It wound up in the fence! You might think we did not have fun, Flying that paper plane, But you would be mistaken – we would do it all AGAIN!!

Thank you, Caitlin. It sounds like you had such a fun time with your paper plane, and I love that you’d do it all again. A big thank you for sending in your poem and recording.

Talking of fun poems, I have another one that I’d love to hear. This one is from Joseph, and is called Spring Hedgehog. I really like hedgehogs, and so let’s listen to Joseph’s poem. Queenie, could you play Joseph’s poem for us please?

Queenie – I definitely can. Who doesn’t like a hedgehog poem? I’m pressing “play” now …

Joseph: The little sharp spikes are pricking off it’s back. It’s clawed tiny paws leave a muddy patterned track. It’s sleepy shiny face rustles up the leaves. As the wind whips and cracks the tall blossoming trees. The cute sparkling eyes looks up at the sheep. And the hedgehog sees the end of a winter sleep.

What a lovely poem. Not only did Joseph mention hedgehogs, he also included sheep – so that’s two of my favorite animals in one poem. A big THANK YOU to Joseph,

Well, we’re down to the final poem for this bonus episode, and I’m still stuck outside of the Club. Queenie – we’re running out of time. Are you ready yet?

Queenie – we are … almost. Let’s do one more poem, and that gives me some time to line everyone up and point them in the direction of the door.

Well, I’m relieved to hear that. It sounds like you’re finally in control. Okay, if we only have time for one more poem, then I’d love to hear Jessica’s poem. Jessica is from England and her poem is about what Spring means to me and to you. Queenie, can you play Jessica’s poem for us please.

Queenie – I’m sad that this is the last one for the episode, but I’m really happy you picked Jessica’s poem. I’m pressing “play” now …

Jessica: When cherry blossoms fly in the warm spring breeze, That is spring to me. Yet I wonder, What is spring to you. When children play and shriek with joy. That is spring to me. Yet I wonder, what is spring to you.  When trees are bright and full of life. That is spring to me. This is spring to me, But you see,, What is spring to you. Ask yourself. Search deep inside. Think back to when you were happy. Is it the long days spent outside in the good spring weather. Is that spring to you. Is it staring deep into the azure sky. Is that spring to you. Is it when new life is born and old life deceased. Is that spring to you. Is it when birds harmonise and nature sings. Is that spring to you. Even though again and again I wonder. The days I have spent deliberating.  I still don’t know. What is spring to you. Then swiftly I see. Spring is you and me.

A big thank you to Jessica for sending in her poem. I really like how her conclusion is that Spring is you and me. What a lovely way to end the poem.

Well, I think I’m finally going to get into the Club. Queenie – are you ready?

Queenie – yes we are!!!!! Better late than never … this is going to wow you more than you’ve ever been wowed before. This is like a Wow Supreme. A Wow Spectacle. A Wowzapalooza!

Well, Queenie – before you run out of Wow superlatives and open the door, let me first say a massive thank you to the six poets we heard from today: Noah, Jack, Josephine, Caitlin, Joseph, and Jessica. Don’t forget that you can also enter the Spring competition like they did, just check out the details at our website, kidspoetryclub.com. I can’t wait to read your poem, or see your drawing. Also, don’t forget that we’ll have a normal episode of Kids’ Poetry Club on Monday – I’m looking forward to seeing you there. Right, let’s see what this surprise is all about.

Queenie – Okay then. Thanks for waiting, Little Dazzy Donuts! I’m going to open the door now. Prepare to be wowed!

SOUND – door opening … animal sounds.

MUSIC