Run Away, Nymphaea
by Yesandi Wijesundara, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
Finalist, Years 7 – 8, written poetry
Run, run
Run away, Nymphaea
Far, far from here
Don’t cry, lily
They’ll hear your tears
Over the hills
Get away from the lake
Petal in the wind
Make no mistake
Run, run
Don’t look back
Don’t wait for me
Run, run
I’ll be here
Drowning
Sinking in a saltless sea
I’ll be there
Without the ‘t’
Suffocating
Suffocating
Run as fast as your legs can take you
Cut off your roots and follow the stars
I made a promise
Forever ago
To keep you safe
Never let go
My little flower, promise me
Look after yourself for me
I can’t protect you if I can’t save me
You can’t save me
So run, run
Run little nymphaea
Over the hills and faraway
I’ll wait here
Don’t wait, little Nymphaea
You don’t have to stay to watch me break
Under their feet
We’re Autumn leaves
Colours of three
Brown, yellow and green
Nymphaea, darling
Protect your dreams
They’re all you have left
To distract from the screams
Nymphaea, darling
Protect your heart
Or the ones you hold closest
Will tear it apart
They’ll tear you apart.
Want to read more poems? Explore the other Years 7 – 8 finalists.