First Place: Ode To Denmark ( A response to Hamlet ) By Herbert Zhu (Gr. 5)
Over the far side of the obscured mountains
Daunting challenges, incalculable risks,
Hazards chartered our course,
Obnoxious dangers, craning cliffs,
Questions of consciousness,
Faithful that fields of happiness lay beyond.
But the query, the delight,
Belie the secrets of the unknown.
Is it worth the menace
Of the land that lies beyond?
Truth and secrets to discover,
But are they to be found in
The lands we are now walking?
Risking our life,
Is the decision,
And there are dreadful days to come.
Second Place: Wisdom and Stupidity by Helena Kong (Gr. 5)
Wisdom like the great oak tree,
winds that blow on the face of thee.
“Wit beyond measure is a man’s greatest treasure”
Imagine that, it must be a pleasure.
A person sharing wisdom with all,
His popularity is not small.
“Look, she is so much better,
Popular, favoured, and much more wiser.”
“Did you hear? They said you’re stupid,
Since when did you think you were wanted?”
Indecisive much, unsure, worthless,
in time of need, oh dear, you’re helpless.
Spreading lies, fake news and the untrue
must be someone out there who can change your view.
Third Place: Q&A By Emily Xin (Gr. 5)
Questions are confusions, delights,
daydreams, nightmares and wanderings,
they are complex, or simple,
they are a sentence or phrase
used to find out information.
A question is a problem
that tests knowledge
or ability. A question is doubt
about value
or truth. A question
is the specific point
at issue.
It is room
or objection.
a question
is a raised hand
in a class. It is rough,
dry paper. A question
is slimy saliva
in your mouth.
Perhaps the breakfast
that you had?
They could be mysterious ghosts
inside of my computer
creaking and squeaking
as I try
to listen to my teacher
When she says the answer
Is a correct
match to a description.
An answer is
a correct response.
It is a solution
to a problem.
An answer
opens doors
to someone
or picks up
the phone.
An answer
It is the cool
slippery metal
that you turn.
An answer is
the breeze
that whooshes
in your face.
Honourable Mention: Victory or Failure by Isabella Fu (Gr. 4)
I lost the competition
Don’t try and tell me that
I’m proud of myself
It’s true that
I’m not triumphant
It’s foolish to believe that
I’m victorious
Something in my mind is that
I’m failing
I should never think that
I will win
Being the one behind
Is the opposite of
Being the best
Honourable Mention: Exams by Kai Yee Li (Gr. 5)
Exams are pointless
And I will never in my whole life say
I like exams
I tell everyone that
You have to spend countless hours preparing for exams.
I don’t think that
Anyone can find fun in work.
Because
Work is boring.
I disagree that
Gruelling hours of work can lead to success.
I know that
I get to have a break after my exam.
The exam is done
I barely rest before
Another exam comes.
Honourable Mention: Rise to Vote SIR! by Neilan Chow (Gr. 4)
R: Rise, good sir; for you shall vote
I: In the form of casting votes, you will choose the good ruler
S: So people shall live in peace.
E: enter the line of voters and cast your vote
__________________________________________________
T: Today you will vote to support the good
O: obtain the chance to select the best.
__________________________________________________
V: Vow to do good and vote out loud
O: often speak of your goodwill
T: Take pride in knowing what’s best
E: enter the troop of voters and cast.
__________________________________________________
S: sir, then you will know you are doing good
I: Industry lies upon good votes
R: Raise the good with you, and the others!
Honourable Mention: Trees are Masters by Ryder Hsu (Gr. 5)
Trees are masters
I don’t believe
Green will never fill up the world
Soon greenness will return to 1 million years ago
But it is false to think
Climate change is nothing
We must change our habits
I do not think
Trees are ugly,
Trees in the ground are useless.
If you like opposition, then
Trees are of no use, and
The opposite fills my head.
I regret it when
We keep doing what we are doing,
I say to the trees.
Honourable Mention: Friends and Foes By Teresa Pan (Gr. 4)
Friends you play with at the playground,
Congratulate your victories,
When you conquer monkey bars,
When you swing high,
When you learn rock climbing.
Cries with you when sad,
When someone vandalized your eraser,
When someone stole your hat,
When someone deleted your project.
Share your stories today and tomorrow.
But you have foes too,
Whom you hate and despise,
Laughs at your sadness,
Sulks at your happiness,
Foes are a different story, oh yes, it’s true.