Everything Grows and Everything Goes
by Olympia Siachos-Fejzaj, Mentone Grammar
Foundation – Year 2 Ekphrastic Poetry Finalist
‘Watermelon Sugar’ by Penny Brooshooft (2023)
The flowers started little,
then grew and grew and grew
bright, pretty flowers
under skies of blue.
Among their leaves grew watermelons,
round and green and sweet.
We eat them, everyone eats them, we eat their juicy treat.
People squeeze the ruby fruit
and pour the juice in cups.
“Watermelon juice!” they call out loud,
as everyone gobbles it up.
The antique shop had lovely cups,
white and grey, so fine.
Someone painted one with tiny fruits
and made it shine and shine.
Slice, slice, CRUNCH!
Red juice on my chin.
Squeeze it in a cup
let the sipping begin.
The watermelon sellers earned their coins,
and people felt so well.
Happy, healthy and strong
with stories left to tell.
Smooth, sweet, yummy
healthy as can be.
Watermelon makes my brain feel
clever, bright, and free!
For everything grows,
and everything goes
but I hope this watermelon cup is mine to keep, I suppose.
How did writing this poem make you feel?
Writing this poem made me feel proud of myself and happy that I can make other people enjoy reading it.
Which single line in your poem are you the absolute proudest of?
Watermelon makes my brain feel clever, bright, and free!
Describe your poem in three words
Happy, clever, free.
Where is your absolute favourite place to sit when you are brainstorming ideas?
In the library.
What skills do you think you strengthened through writing this poem?
I learned to plan out my thoughts and ideas with a beginning, middle and end. I used my voice to say everything I wanted and create the story I imagined from looking at the picture.
Why do you think people write poetry?
People write poetry to let out all of the ideas they have in their minds. They are telling a story to the reader and they want the reader to enjoy it.