Young Poets Competition 2020

History of me

My name is NIA which means purpose.

I am determined, independent, grateful, intelligent,

happy, kind, sad, angry, playful, and mischievous.

I wrote a poem to remind people of black history,

which is just history to me.

Bessie Coleman was determined and independent

She soared through the sky,

She was the first black female pilot

Who earned her license to fly.

She was born in Atlanta in 1892,

She had to overcome racism, sexism, and many obstacles

to do what she wanted to.

Mary Seacole was kind, helpful, strong, smart, focussed, grateful for her privileges,

She helped the injured soldiers during the Crimean war.

She had a sense of humour that made the soldiers laugh,

She used traditional medicines from Jamaica as her healing craft.

Celebration has been part of our culture since ancient African times,

Festivals, food, music, masquerade, costumes, and rhymes.

Drums are like the beat of the soul of the people no matter where they are,

Across the gigantic ocean to lands so far.

The Notting Hill Carnival is a good example of this,

it has been around since the year 1966.

Bringing different communities together, celebrating Caribbean culture,

embracing what makes us diverse

and realising it’s not a curse.

History is something we all need to know,

It’s important to learn that you matter as well.

My name is Nia and I am a descendant of African kings and queens,

Purpose, resilience, determination and respect are all in genes!

Nia Ofuyaekpone-Shombe

Stand Strong

Equality is special,

It means something to me,

Like black history month,

That has been going on for centuries,

I’ve got my own voice,

No one needs to speak for me,

I will share it with the world,

Then everyone will see.

I am my own person,

I am proud of who I am,

And these inspiring people,

Really helped me understand.

First Martin Luther King,

Who was definitely right,

He told us not to fight physically,

And that's what held me tight,

The other one is Rosa Parks,

That refused to go to the back of the bus,

And when she got arrested,

She didn’t make a single fuss.

Together we are strong,

But not being equal,

Has been going on for too long,

Lets stop this unfairness,

Don't hide behind our shadow,

Be bold like clouds,

that are as soft as mellow,

Let's shine together,

Bright as a rainbow,

It has different colours,

Green, red and yellow,

Sometimes the sky changes too,

Purple, pink and blue,

Believing in yourself and each other,

Will help us get through.

Be yourself and remember,

No matter the colour,

Age, size and gender,

Even if they push you till you fall,

You should never be told,

Not to stand tall!

Kaylah Gomez

Coming soon:

I'm invisible

Black Lives Poem

Not just a colour

Black its a colour, the colour of my skin

Yet my blackness delves deeper than my pigment and melanin

I'm my own type of black, its composed from within

My identity and individuality, not just my skin

From the crown of black 4c hair that sits upon my head

Its my optimism that from inside me is embed

When I voice my opinion

Don't look down apon me because I'm a black women

I'm educated, and bright

And shine like a light

All of of my qualities I embrace I give credits to my beautiful black race

Yes I radiate beauty

As black is a part of my identity