Happy Travels
My journey began with a handful of words.
see where it will take you!
After all the Pen is mightier than the sword!
'My Tree'
There it is, tall and powerful 'my tree'
Standing still waiting for me
Head high, and proud
All its secrets in the ground.
For years 'my tree'
Has watched life go by
Saw young soldiers, fly planes in the sky
Then heard their widows
Beneath your branches cry
Keeping their secrets in the ground.
How many children
Have climbed your boughs?
And fallen to the ground!
Your soil soaked up all their tears
Your leaves soothed their fears
Then you kept their secrets in the ground
'My tree'
What do you see
When you look at me?
Who what will I be?
You watch me grow
Knowing one day I will go out,
into the world and I know
you will keep my secrets in the ground.
By Terrell Bennett
Black Lives matter
All Life matters
Black Lives Matters,
I agree, yes they do! George Floyd's death was despicable and should never have happened. But let's learn from this, In America, violence, arson and looting, Why? How is this going to bring George Floyd back to his family?
Many years ago a black lady sat on the wrong seat on a bus Rosa Parks it went down in history books but what did it change? Black people were treated like second class citizens.
People all over the world need to realise 'Black lives' do matter, but so does all other lives.
Does it matter if you're Black, White, Asian, fat, thin, rich, poor, disabled or abled bodied!
We all came into this world the same way. we are supposed to live together, respect each other.
Adults throughout history have tried to change all the hateful things about racism. Now I think it should be down to the children of the future to try and do that. After all last year, a child Greta Thunberg changed the way the world thinks about climate change!
When we are born, we're influenced by our parents and close family , we start school, where we begin learning to read and write, taught not to let anyone touch our bodies, taught etiquette and decorum.
So why aren't children taught to accept all their classmate's colour or religion whatever they are? If this is known from an early stage in their lives children will grow to accept everyone, not for the colour of their skin, but because they are all the same, equal, At school, I've been called the N-word, when I asked the child why? He told me it was because his grandparents and parents are racist. Colour is only on the outside!
It's what's on the inside that counts if young people know this from a young age, they will grow into being very positive human beings, who will teach their children the same values they grew up with.
If a racist person was dying I'm sure it would be ok for an Ethnic Doctor to assist them in saving their life. After everything the world has been through this year with the Pandemic, this shouldn't have happened and I would like to try and make sure it doesn't happen again. Let's make sure George Floyd's death doesn't just go down in the history books, let it be the turning point. We are human beings , not animals.
So let's show it doesn't matter if you're Black or White it's just a colour, what counts is the person you are!
Give every life, every colour a chance to thrive and prosper.
My Mom always says don't judge a book by it's cover, I know now what it means, do you?
All Lives Matter.
By Terrell Bennett
Lockdown
We've lost our freedom
Me and you.
Nowhere to go
Not much to do
watching tv show after show, with not much to do
Time goes so slow.
Can't go here
Can't go there
No-one to even cut my hair!
Do I sound selfish!
Yes I do!
When all the key workers
Are looking after me and you The world is facing a killer
Not one
Using guns and knives,
But a deadly disease
Stealing thousands lives.
Day after day
it gets worse and worse
I worry so much as my niece is a nurse
I hope all my friends
Are feeling calm and stable
I talk to you all
Whenever I'm able.
But now let's bow our heads And say a prayer
For all our loved ones
No longer there
Taken from us,
No last good byes,
No kisses, no fuss
So alone.
So brave they lost their fight. God bless you all
Rest in peace
And forever good night.
By Terrell Bennett
Stephen Lawrence
A murder, that changed the nation
That's what they say
A racist attack!
Just a bit of fun;
But it stole away
A Mother, Father's Son
He had such a future
In life a special role...
To be an Architect
Was his goal
At last two were sentenced
For 14 plus years
But for his parents
A life time of tears
Stephen was good
So pure, so kind
A better son
Would be hard to find
He looks down from heaven
To try and ease his family's pain
Till they can Re-unite
And al be together again
Stephen Lawrence gone but not forgotten.
By Terrell Bennett
Does Anyone Care
Forgotten!
No longer there
The Government
Do they actually care?
My year! Year 11
The G.C.S.E Kids
Seem to have been
Crossed off the lists
What do we do?
Where do we go?
To find the facts
We need to know
I want a career!
I need my grades
Not some made up score
That won't bring jobs
To my door
I worked
And revised hard
So did my friends
'Boris' Please! tell us
When this will end!
Tell the 'forgotten kids'
With their futures ahead
Give us some facts
I'm going out of my head
You've helped the Key-workers
The Businesses too
Give us some hope
A shining light
Make my future
Yet again seem bright
I'm being pushy!
I know that's true
But please!
I want to be someone
I want something to reward
All the hard work I've done
My life's in 'limbo'
I read and write
But then during the night
I lay awake and think
Will I be!
What I want to be?
Help us
My friends, and me
Give us back our dreams
We are the future
But right now
The future's all misty
We want to go down in history,
But! Not because of this disease
Give us our G.C.S.E'S
Please!
By Terrell Bennett
Keep Them Safe!
I met a homeless man today
We had a chat
He had so much to say
He told me
'this' and 'that'
Said his life
Hadn't always been this way
He was an 'English Teacher'
A man of 'words'
How he's living now
Seems so absurd
He said his 'Demons'
Was the 'Drink'
Lost everything in life
Home, family and wife!
Now his life's on the brink
I gave him a sandwich
And a cup of tea
He couldn't stop thanking me
For stopping! Not just walking by
Why? are people still living like this?
Day by day
The Government promised
To get these poor people off the streets, give them safety, shelter, something to eat
This man was a good man!
And many more out there are too
Let's do something now, keep them safe and 'Virus Free'
After all one day that could be me!
By Terrell Bennett
All Lives matter
When I was younger, I attended 'Manor Primary School and Nursery.
From the first day of attending "Nursery' until the time I left 'year 6', My Head Teacher ( Mrs Anita Cliff ) and all the 'teaching staff', taught all us students important 'rules' to carry with us throughout our lives.
'Always respect ourselves' and 'others'. Treat everyone as 'equal', regardless of colour, race or religion.
It didn't matter 'what colour' the child sitting next to you was, 'because we were taught ( we were all the same ).
We were all given the same opportunities to make the 'most of ourselves'. Mrs Cliff, made sure we celebrated 'all religious festivals' ( not just the Christmas one's). No child felt left out!
We were taken to visit many different 'places of worship'.
No one felt different because they were 'Black, White, Asian, Disabled or Abled Bodied'.
We were all the same! Yes! we all had different personalities, but we were taught no one was better than anyone else.
It would help if most the 'schools' taught this way. Maybe then we could start winning the fight against 'racism'.
Mrs Cliff told us 'Education is one of the best gifts in life', and we should all take advantage and make the most of it no matter who you are.
By Terrell Bennett
Choose the right path
You're in a gang!
You carry a knife!
A scene that's starting
to spread, like a disease,
You carry a knife
Pit it down, please.
You carry a knife!
Does that make you brave?
Or, Are you just a slave?
Trying yo fit in,
Do yourself a favour
And put it in the bin.
You carry a knife!
Do you intend
To take another's life?
At what cost?
So a mother has lost
A daughter, a husband or son,
Please think, turn around and run.
You carry a knife !
Do you really want
To commit a crime,
Go to prison
For a long time.
You carry a knife!
Leave your gang
You're better than than that,
You could have a future, a family one day,
Don't throw it all away,
Open your eyes see the truth
Of what's going on around you!
You carry a knife!
But: stand tall and proud
walk away, head high
It's better: Than to kill or die.
You carry a knife!
There will always be crime,
Be the best person you were
raised to be,
Go into the world to learn and give.
You carried a knife!
You chose the right path,
May God keep you safe
In your life!
Let's hope and pray, that all those in gangs, or those who
Cary weapons, one day, realise it's not the way to live.
There are people and services out in the community, who can help turn your life round.
See that there are opportunities to help give you a future. Crime and Violence never pay, one day you could lose your own life. And for what? To be part of a gang, to fit in! Think Again
By Terrell Bennett
Ghost town
Sshh! hearth silence
No one's around
This virus has turned
The world into a 'Ghost Town'
You can only go out
For 'food or meds'
Wear a mask
try to stay home
The Government said
Empty schools
Even! gangs off the streets
Stricter day by day rules
Our friends we meet
Elderly and vulnerable
Staying home
Phone them, so they know
They're not alone
Even travelling to far
Has been given a ban
We can, exercise for an hour
But can't sunbathe
To get a tan
When will this disease, go away
When can little one's
Go to the park to play
The 'country' will have to work hard
To get back on it's feet
So once again, our streets
Are full of open shops
Tills ringing up 'pounds'
But till then
Sshh! not a sound! We living in a 'Ghost Town'
children need to know
Football was back on 'tv' last night, before the the match started, all the players went down on (one knee).
I hope 'young' fans who want to be like their 'football idols', will learn something from that! Football is a team game, that can be played by every race and colour, that come together on the pitch.
Young supporters, see this all the time, I hope they understand colour is acceptable.
On or off the pitch!
Sportsmen and women, do a lot of good for their communities. Just look at what Marcus Rashford has achieved. He may lead a life of luxury now, but he hasn't forgotten where he came from. Thanks to Marcus every child will receive free school meals in the summer, the Prime Minister listened to him!
We can all change the things in life that aren't right.
Children can help the change ( bullying, racism and poverty) at school. By giving talks in assemblies or having debates.
All children voices need to be heard! A lot of subjects that don't seem acceptable to parents or teachers are never discussed with the youngsters. This needs to change!
The young ones are the future adults they will grow up not discussing life's problems.
It doesn't have to be full force talks, Adults can start having little chats and getting their child to give their point of view!
Children have the right to know what's going on in the world, so along with English, Maths and Pe; Introduce little Pepe talks about real life.
The life that they are going to experience when they grow up and go out into the real world on their own.
I've always listened to the news, read books and newspapers. My parents discussed with me what was going on in other countries.
Children are smarter than you think,
their young minds register everything.
Now is the time for them to investigate everything!
They may surprise you!
By Terrell Bennett
17/6/2020
Has Everyone Forgotten?
Has everyone forgotten?
Do they no longer care!
Covid-19
Is still out there
Beaches packed
No-one wearing masks
Pushing and shoving
No-one social distancing
Haver you all forgot?
What the world's been through
Lockdown, schools, shops closed
Freedom! taken
From me and you
This disease
hasn't gone away
It's waiting!
Lurking!
To strike again
Some day
Stop and think
What your doing
All our hard work
You're going to ruin
just wait a while
To have fun
To lay on the beach in the sun
So do as the Government says
Instead lay in your garden
And soak up the rays.
By Terrell Bennett
23/06/2020
Reading Victims R.I.P
Yet again 'violence' and terrorism is back on the streets!
A peaceful Saturday evening in Reading turned into a nightmare!
Why? was this man allowed to walk freely amongst innocent people!
He stole three precious lives, left three grieving families behind.
And what about all the others who witnessed this? the horror, terror fear they must all be feeling.
The Police have a lot of bad press in the last few weeks, because of what happened to George Floyd. But in Reading on Saturday the Police acted so quickly to contain the situation. Especially the one young Police man who hasn't been in the force that long.
The incident could have been a lot worse if it hadn't of been for him and all the other officers.
We have one of the best Police forces in the world, and just because there is a percentage of officers that have done wrong in America, Police are getting a bad name!
There are so many Police officers that put their lives on the line to protect us! Yet again this was proved on that quiet peaceful night in Reading.
When an officer starts his shift, he doesn't know what his day will bring, (murder, gang violence, crime and robbery) etc. But they go out there to Protect and Serve! the public in the best way possible.
We should all be grateful for this. After all they do for us, we should give them some good press for a change.
By Terrell Bennett
25/06/2020
Who Am I?
I wrote this 'rap poem' for all my friends who may have been 'feeling down' or anxious' due to the 'Lockdown' leaving school or just 'life in general'. I hope it helps, be kind to yourself.
1, I look in the mirror
it don't look like me,
Who is the face
Looking back at me?
Chorus: Cus that's not me
I say ... that's not me.
2, I know I need help
But what's wrong?
What do I say
Who do I see?
Chorus: Cus that's not me
I say ... that's not me.
3, I feel scared
I want to hide
don't wanna go outside
So pretend I'm sick, yes I lied.
Chorus: Cus that's not me
I say ... that's not me.
4, I'm worried and anxious
Don't know what to do!
Need someone to talk to
But who will listen, tell me!
Who!
Chorus: Cus that's not me
I say ... that's not me.
5, I wanna be
Who I was before
Before this darkness
Knocked so hard on my front door!
Chorus: Cus that's not me
I say ... that's not me.
6, I'm reaching out
Is someone there?
Someone who understands
Someone who cares!
Chorus: Cus that's not me
I say ... that's not me.
7, My friends! gave me help
Taught me to feel ...
Good about myself
So don't be ashamed
Don't hide away
Tomorrow is a new day.
Chorus: Now I look in the mirror
I now tell myself what do I see?
There I am!
That's me!
I say ... yes that's me
I say ... yes that's me!
By Terrell Bennett
01/07/2020
Hair Cut Day
4th of July
Independence day
Hip Hip hooray
I can get my hair cut today!
Just the feel
Of the chair
Knowing full well Alan's
Is going to cut my hair
First the scissors
Then the blade
There it is
My brand new "fade'
I know I'm vain
And next week
I'm doing it all again
Queue to get in
Because...
Boy!
Nothing beats a fresh trim.
By Terrell Bennett
4/7/2020
Boris's Speech.
This morning I waited eagerly because Boris Johnson was going to make a speech directly to school leavers, I listened, waiting for him to say something that was going to enlighten us, about our missed exams, proms, farewell etc.
But nothing he spoke about was what we had lost, and how this had helped save thousand of lives, and how proud he was of us. He said " we are the future" the one's to put the country back on its feet.
Please ( Boris, sir ) how are we going to do that? We aren't going to get our ' true exams marks', and don't know we will get on our college courses with the marks we are given!
There was no mention of who we could contact about this! We don't even know when we will get our so called results.
Then to top it all off ' today ' in the morning newspapers , there was an article saying poorer kids may get lower exam marks because of Covid-19.
And this is because the system maybe biased. And apparently richer kids usually do better in exams than they do in class, so they maybe judge on this. Many important people have e come from under privilege backgrounds. Year 11 students lost everything! What background we come from shouldn't make a difference.
By Terrell Bennett
10/7/2020
My Leavers Hoody
Names all printed in black
I will wear it proudly
Across my back
Some I won't see again!
Other's I'll bump into
Now and then
All my classmates of 2020
The one's with no Proms
No G.C.S.E's
Yes! we've lost plenty
Thanks! to Covid-19 disease
But we are strong
And proud
So stand and shout out loud
We will
Make something of ourselves
And one day
We will take those Hoodies
Off the shelves
And remember 2020
The year our lives felt empty
And we will be grateful
For what we've got
Friendship, life we've got the lot.
By Terrell Bennett
13/7/2020
Our Leavers Assembly
Glued to our virtual screen
Where we could could be heard, but not seen!
Mr Coggins You did us proud
Give him a cheer
A shout out load
Thank you Sir!
For all the the things you said
It was worth us all getting out of Bed
( Except when you spoke about Liverpool Fc )
Sir that was so uncool!
To all the teachers who took part
They knows all by heart
But! Mr Coggins you're the best
The words you said cleared my head!
I'm not so worried now knowing there's
someone there, if I'm anxious, I can share
My feelings, my concerns
To you ( Sir )
I know I can turn, to listen, to guide
Or just say hello
Mr Coggins
A teacher I'm so proud to know
Thank you for all you did Sir
From the whole of year 11 2020
By Terrell Bennett
20/7/2020
My Parents
Who do I turn to, where do I go?
When there's something I want
Or need to know
When I need help with a task
Who do I ask? Tying my shoe lace
Or washing my face
Who taught these things
Me in the first place?
Who kept me safe
Inside a warm cocoon
Till I grew so big
There was no room
Then out into the world I came
And you both knew your lives
Would never be the same
Thank you
Mom and Dad although I know
Sometimes I drive you mad
I know you're both there
When I'm happy or sad!
When I keep you up all night
When I've had a fright
And you sigh and moan
I want to say... thank you
For knowing That I'm never alone!
By Terrell Bennett
22/7/2020
Who do I turn to, where do I go?
When there's something I want
Or need to know
When I need help with a task
Who do I ask? Tying my shoe lace
Or washing my face
Who taught these things
Me in the first place?
Who kept me safe
Inside a warm cocoon
Till I grew so big
There was no room
Then out into the world I came
And you both knew your lives
Would never be the same
Thank you
Mom and Dad although I know
Sometimes I drive you mad
I know you're both there
When I'm happy or sad!
When I keep you up all night
When I've had a fright
And you sigh and moan
I want to say... thank you
For knowing That I'm never alone!
By Terrell Bennett
22/7/2020
the miracle of christmas 2020.
What a year we've just been through, a deadly virus appeared , that tried to wipe out our world. Our schools closed had to shut, with no G.C.S.E's, no proms, no proper goodbye's to our friends and teachers. Many shops had to shut and ( no hair cuts )! How e moaned and cursed at the Government for turning communities into 'GHOSTY TOWNS'. FURLOUGH and LOCKDOWN were new daily words, added to the ( OXFORD DICTIONARY ).
We had chants of Black Lives Matter! due to the death of George Floyd. When I believe all live matter.
Then out of the darkness! came a saviour! a shining light A Vaccine ready to start the fight to eradicate this evil virus, that lurks in every corner waiting for us to drop our guard, to stop our social distancing, washing our hands and sanitising hands.
Soon, one day, life can be back to normal! No more masks, no more isolating freedom once more for you and me.
But let us learn from this, be aware take nothing for granted again. treat others how you want to be treated yourself.
This year isn't about how many gifts underneath the tree, but about keeping each other safe and well. Before we eat our Christmas lunch this year, let's remember the loved one's taken from us, and all the NHS STAFF, EMERGENCY SERVICES and KEY WORKERS fighting to keep us safe.
So let's be thankful for this 'MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS.
Terrell Bennett
17/12/2020