Royal Ballet Lower School student shortlisted for prestigious Richmond poetry competition

A poem entitled Seasons of the Park, written by Year 8 White Lodge student Daniel Myers, has been shortlisted from a total of 650 entries in this year’s Poetry in the Park competition.

Daniel’s poem is one of six in the final selection from over 100 entries in the 13-18 years category. The distinguished judges were: Fiona Adams (Editor, Kingston Magazine), Paddy Hughes, Sir Trevor McDonald, Richard Nye (Editor, The Richmond Magazine) and Dame Jacqueline Wilson.

Poems in the Park, specially organised by the Friends of Richmond Park to celebrate their 50th anniversary, was conceived to inspire a creative link with Richmond Park's unique environment and wildlife. It is run in association with Sheengate Publishing (publishers of The Richmond Magazine and Kingston Magazine).

The Friends of Richmond Park (www.frp.org.uk) is a charity dedicated to the conservation and protection of Richmond Park. It has nearly 2,000 members and its Patrons are Sir David Attenborough, Baroness Susan Kramer and Dame Jacqueline Wilson. Lord (Brian) Rix is its President.

Poetry in the Park winners, runners-up and commendations in all categories will be announced at an event at The Royal Ballet Lower School, White Lodge, Richmond Park on Sunday, 6th November in front of an invited audience with the judges in attendance.

The complete shortlist in the age 13-18 category:
Name, Age, Title, School
Flossie Brown, 13, A Tree,Graveney
Rosie Hall, 15, Park Poem, Waldegrave
Mustafa Majeed, 14, Witchmond Park, Tiffin
Adam Mirsky, 14, Richmond Park Poem, Tiffin
Daniel Myers, 13, Seasons in the Park, The Royal Ballet School
Louis Sutcliffe, 13, The Fern, Tiffin


Seasons of the Park
By Daniel Myers

On a remarkable hill was a marvellous tree,
Under the marvellous tree were some far reaching roots; as if reaching for the earth’s core.
Above the far reaching roots was the snow the snow covered grass, like pristine icing covering a cake,
Walking in the snow covered grass was a little blonde girl,
Through the eyes of the girl was a herd of fallow dear,
The deer were feeling fear as the cull was near, like a baby having its first nightmare.
Also near was the harsh, cold winter.
Soon the squirrels and hedgehogs will hibernate,
After hibernation they would awake to glorious Spring.

Within Spring all the shoots of nature are shown.
Just like the buttercup sun.
Bathing under the buttercup sun are the bouncy, young children having a picnic,
Running around the picnic was a brown, fluffy dog, like a tornado of fudge.
All the fluffy dog wants is to jump into Pen Ponds, which is as clear and still as glass,
Floating on the pond are the Swans and Cygnets, like angels.
These cygnets who were born in the early spring,
Now will experience their first ever Summer.

Deep within Summer is singing and dancing,
The place to go dance is the exquisite White Lodge.
Another two lodgers are Holly Lodge and Pembroke Lodge,
Pembroke Lodge in Summer is covered in bloom.
Also in bloom is Isabella Plantation, like a whole other world made up by flowers,
Walking around the plantation, are the dog walkers; as if in a trance.
All the dog walkers wearing t-shirts and shorts will not be seen as the cold chilly Autumn is upon,
So upon the remarkable hill was a marvellous tree,
His crispy, brown leaves have fallen to the ground.
Until next Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter,
In a wonderful park we name Richmond Park.