Hopes & Dreams Competition: Winners & Finalists
The following poems and art were selected as the Winners for the Kids’ Poetry Club Competition on the topic of HOPES & DREAMS! The Winners were selected from over 500 entries that came in from 17 different countries. The competition results were announced in a special awards ceremony podcast episode on February 8th, when Little Dazzy Donuts read the winning poems. In addition to seeing the Winners below, you can also read all of the Finalists’ poems, listen to all of the poets reciting their poems in our bonus episodes, and check out the Finalists’ art. Congratulations to all of the Winners and Finalists!
Poetry & Art: Under 9
“My Hope And Dream” by Sahana
aged 8, from India
(available to listen to in episode 76)
My Father hopes and dreams that I become a DOCTOR.
My Mother hopes and dreams that I become a BANKER.
My Sister hopes and dreams that I become an ASTRONAUT.
My Grandparents hopes and dreams that I become an ENGINEER.
Alas, is there anyone who cares and wants to hear my dream?
I hope, dream and believe I will one day become an ARTIST.
Oh Mind, take me THERE.
By Chanelie, aged 6, from Sri Lanka
By Líle, aged 8, from Ireland
Poetry & Art: Age 9-10
“Hopes & Dreams” by Emma
aged 10, from Australia
(available to listen to in episode 84)
An author.
A dream.
An imagination.
A gift.
A passion.
A hope.
The words magical, mysterious and crazy.
The author, the creator, what an honor it would be,
to have my very own dream come true, you see.
A story has a start.
A story has an end.
A story has a purpose.
A story has an adventure to tell.
The author taking the courage,
to share a twisty story,
A writer is true.
A spark of the need to tell a journey.
I want to become an entertaining writer.
A hope… a dream…
By Amogh, aged 10,
from the United States
Poetry & Art: Age 11-12
“The Concert Pianist” by Casia
aged 12, from the United States
(available to listen to in episode 81)
My fingers flying over keys.
Audience watching full of glee.
The orchestra will accompany
my Mozart, Chopin, Debussy.
But, first I'll have to practice more.
Perfect my sound.
perfect my form.
before I truly can perform.
I hope,
I wish,
that you will hear
these joyful sounds
with your own ears.
I hope,
I wish that I can play
the composers’ songs the way they say.
You should know
that music shows
a lot beauty and wonder.
My dream is to become
the one to spread
all that beauty and wonder.
By Ayushman, aged 11, from India
Poetry & Art: Age 13-17
“Hopes And Dreams” by Sneha
aged 16, from India
(available to listen to in episode 73)
Sweet dreams, sassy thoughts.
I wanna become a lady boss.
Crystal clear, my hopes are high.
Oh don't dare to cage me,
it's my time to fly.
I wanna pay my own bills,
and a perfect life for my family.
And all this with a kind soul.
Isn't it lovely?
I hope to see women getting
equity more that equality.
With more respect
and reduced display of frivolity.
Dreams of a prudent life,
heart high with hopes.
And for this,
I'm ready to climb any ropes.
Mind it, I'm not scared of any slopes.
If you think women are weak,
dear, you need a mental floss.
Because, sweet dreams, sassy thoughts,
there are girls out there
who wanna become a lady boss.
