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JOSIE'S POEMS

Poems for Reflection/
 Class Discussion


By Josie Whitehead

If Children . . . wix.jpg

This was a top poem for discussion during this year and last year and it was one of 400 poems chosen by teachers and children for publication in 2010.

IF CHILDREN RULED THE WORLD

By Josie Whitehead

If Children Ruled the World

If children ruled the world, I think
    Each day could be such fun.
Hard work would be just thrown away
     And we’d play out in the sun.

Playgrounds would be packed with kids -
    The swimming pools as well -
And we’d wish the things we didn’t like
     A very fond farewell.

If children ruled this world of ours,
    The rush for school would go
And parents would not be allowed
     To use the word of 'no'.

The clocks would stop forever
    For there’d be no 'time for bed.'
Then you could play for evermore -
    Oh, much more fun instead.

If children governed what we did,
   There’d be Christmas every day:
Christmas presents, lots of food
    And so much time to play.

Then all day long we’d watch TV
    And choose the things we’d eat
And nobody could ever say:
     'You can’t have any sweets.'

Now, children, have you really thought
    How all this could be done?
Who’d make the sweeties that you’d eat,
     If we all were having fun?

Who’d make your play equipment 
     And who’d build the swimming pools?
And what would all your teachers do
     If they couldn’t go to school?

Then who would grow the food you eat
     And who would make your clothes?
They’d not appear by magic - well
      If that’s what you suppose.

You couldn’t watch the tele
    If the programmes were not there
And a life that isn’t purposeful
    Is one full of despair.

Perhaps you’d like your special isle
   That you could rule instead.
You’d have to search for food to eat
    And then hunt for a bed.

With no mother, father, grandparents
    And teachers to say: 'No'
I think you’d think of all you’d lost
  And prefer the world you know.

 

Copyright on all my poems

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