My Suitcase Is Packed

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JohnLyons Dust Jacket r1.pdf 1 13/04/2012 17:30

First published in Great Britain in 2012by English PEN, Free Word, 60 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3GA 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Collection copyright © English PEN, 2012 The moral right of the authors has been asserted. The views expressed in this book are those of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editors, publishers or English PEN. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of the book. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 978-0-9564806-8-2

Printed and bound in Great Britain by Aldgate Press, Units 5&6, Gunthorpe Street Workshops, 3 Gunthorpe Street, London E1 7RQ www.aldgatepress.co.uk Designed by Brett Biedscheid, www.statetostate.co.uk

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Arrivals and Departuresintroduction by Malika Booker

Enjoy Your LifeAbdullah Salem

My WatchAbukar Omar Osman

Sadness in LifeAnil Pawar

In My SuitcaseMina Salman

I RememberAishvarya Ramniklal

My SuitcaseLarisa Borhan

Go and Open the DoorAhmad Salem

My Paint Blue ColourAishvarya Ramniklal

I Remember my countryAlpesh Danilkumar

Go and Open the DoorFadumo Mohamed

Power Over my LifeDenisa Roberta Dinu

The DoorDenisa Roberta Dinu

My SuitcaseAishvarya Ramniklal

I want to say...Bhagwat Pawar

Power over my LifeAishvarya Ramniklal

The DoorAishvarya Ramniklal

Unforgettable HistoryAbukar Omar Osman

Power over my LifeMirela Andrei

My Lost BraceletLarisa Borhan

My SuitcaseMirela Andrei

This World is our Shared VillageHijratullah Tawhidyar

JoyLarisa Borhan

Sadness of LifeAlpesh Danilkumar

The SuitcaseVrushank Dalal

Go and Open the DoorZuheir Mohamed Ali

Painful NoisesZuheir Mohamed Ali

Go and Open the DoorAbdullah Salem

FamilyZuheir Mohamed Ali

When I Travelled For The First TimeHijratullah Tawhidyar

This MeAnusha Choppala

Power over my LifeFadumo Mohamed

Me and My LoveFadumo Mohamed

Go and Open the DoorBhagwat Pawar

Love Story of Bird and RoseBhagwat Pawar

My SuitcaseNoor Al-Khalidy

My Lovely RabbitFadumo Mohamed

PaintGiulia Isabele Ricci de Brito

My SunglassesAnil Pawar

Lost You!Divyesh Rama

Power over my LifeAlpesh Danilkumar

Open the DoorNoor Al-Khalidy

My Watch...Vrushank Dalal

LoveNoor Al-Khalidy

Love is Like…Betinia-Naomi Pomparau

What is a key?Divyesh Rama

Power over my lifeAnusha Choppala

My SuitcaseFaaduma Farah

My SuitcaseBetinia-Naomi Pomparau

SuitcaseSathveeka Sriskantharajah

My WalletAnusha Choppala

Fahmo translates AristotleFahmo Abukar

My CandleFahmo Abukar

About PicturesFahmo Abukar

My Suitcase is PackedOana-Elisa Bleaja

The SkySathveeka Sriskantharajah

NotebookSathveeka Sriskantharajah

My SuitcaseHamdi Yusuf

Crocodile RiverHamdi Yusuf

Magic DoorArtur Kamikov

Artur translates Kurt VonnegutArtur Kamikov

Be RichAhmed Ahmed

DiceArtur Kamikov

A Red Angry LoveRenato Pereira

Giulia translates Doris LessingGiulia Isabele Ricci de Brito

SuitcaseRenato Pereira

Over My LifeMariana Ile

My Heart SaidMariana Ile

Flowers at the DoorMohamed Hussein

Faaduma translates C S LewisFaaduma Farah

Never ForgetAhmed Ahmed

Power over my LifeOana-Elisa Bleaja

My Mum’s GlassesAamir Haji

GlassesAamir Haji

Leaf poems

Name poems

Animal poems

Super poems

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An English PEN Book / READERS & WRITERS

Arrivals and Departuresintroduction by Malika Booker

There is something humbling about working with young people who have recently

arrived in the country and have English as a second language. It makes one have to

plan the sessions carefully, makes one aware of the challenges that a participant

faces sitting in a room and having to write, talk and express themselves in a

language that they do not know. I loved and admired the young people that I

worked with on this project. I was awed by their tenacity, their personalities and

their ability to rise to the challenge each week and their joy and pleasure when

they were able to find a new word for their vocabulary, when they had written a

good poem or made a breakthrough with a word or phrase.

I also praise the dedication of the teachers who journeyed with them each Monday,

who aided me in the sessions or equipped me with feedback if I spoke too fast or

planned too elaborate a session.

Reading the poems in this collection I am struck by the power of words and

language, by the grace and elegance of a poem, by the rich tapestry of imagery,

the emotional resonance of the work, the lingering of loss, and missing and love.

I remember the hard labour that went into the construction of these pieces; the

dictionaries pored over, the blank pages sitting there as the writer tried to grapple

with the task at hand. ‘My Suitcase is packed’ is an apt title for this collection

because it encompasses the variety of journeys that these writers had to take,

and the stocking and restocking that had to be done to achieve, as well as arrive

at their destination. I am thankful to have been able to work with these cheeky,

loving, enthusiastic students and hope that they are as proud of this collection as

I am. I also salute all the other writers who worked on the project: Aoife Mannix,

John Hegley, Simon Mole and Miriham Halahmy and the wonderful Pat Hicks

whose work was invaluable to the students and myself.

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MY SUITCASE IS PACKED

Enjoy Your LifeAbdullah Salem

Power over my lifepeace and loveover and over again.Remember this and you will be fine.Enjoy your life, and you will be fine.Enjoy your life, and if you are a model on TVyou life will be full of happiness.Live your life like a king and enjoy it,interesting things will be happen if you do all that.But at the end of your life will be dead, but whatever life goes on, that is the end of everyone’s life.

Abdullah speaks Arabic and English and likes going to the gym.

My WatchAbukar Omar Osman

My watch is shiny and it’s the most beautiful watch I have ever seen in my life.My rolex watch is yellow, my friend gave it to me as a gift.It is a light and small watch, it looks like a diamond, it is an expensive watch because he bought it with ten thousand pounds.Whenever I am going to school it is first thing I wear because it makes me happy and my classmates are jealous of me also every time they are talking about my gold watch, but it is not gold.

Abukar likes playing football, talking on the phone, watching TV and reading love stories.

Sadness in LifeAnil Pawar

Sadness is like grey sky and thunderIt feels like we are alone in the world.It sound slike crying or somebody that is shouting at us.It feels like somebody has broken my heart.Sadness is like a broken heart.

Anil speaks English and Hindi. He likes playing cricket.

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In My SuitcaseMina Salman

In my suitcaseI would take the sound of my brother’s laughter which never stops.

I would take the smell of my own room.The smell from the burning candles.

I wouldn’t take the screaming of angry people, who let you forget everything about happiness.

I wouldn’t take sadnesswho only knows tears, who let you forget words like “Smile” or “Laugh”and who will remove everything good from your life and change it from happiness to despair.

Mina speaks English, Arabic and Swedish and likes to go shopping, play sport and go out with friends.

I RememberAishvarya Ramniklal

I remember Miriam Halahmy becauseshe had black short hair.She had a beautiful stoneWith grey, black, and brown colours.I remember she gave us different objectsLike a necklace, sunglasses, a bracelet, a watch etc.I remember John HegleyI remember he had played music with his guitarI remember he likes curries very muchI remember Malika BookerI remember she wrote the poem about her mother.

Aishvarya speaks Gujarati, Hindi and English and likes to read stories and poetry.

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My SuitcaseLarisa Borhan

Inside my small black with yellow flowers suitcaseI would takeMy green laptopMy blue jeans (they are very special to me because grand-mother gave them to me)And I would also like to take my make-up bag with my blue mascara and my pink lipstick.

Larisa speaks Romanian and English. She likes listening to music.

Go and Open the DoorAhmad Salem

Go and open the doormaybe outside there is a country.Kuwait is the country.Maybe you will see death and war.Maybe you will see guns, bullets, bombs and terror.But no matter what, you will see happy, helpful and handsome people.So go and open the door,maybe you will see children playing on the streetor maybe you will see the beautiful shiny sun.So go and open the door.

Ahmad speaks Arabic and English. He likes to play football.

My Paint Blue ColourAishvarya Ramniklal

My paint is pthalos Blue paint.It is in different colours like yellow, green, red etc.It has a smooth touchIt shines and it looks brightWhen we colour in our room’s wall.Blue is one of the best coloursThe sky is also in blueI like my paint very much.


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I Remember my countryAlpesh Danilkumar

I remember my country. Because I miss my relatives in India. I remember that big mountain, trees and lots of nature.

I love my India. Because India is the most amazing country in the world. In India there are nice places like nature.

I remember that some day, I had fun with my friends in nice weather with shiny clouds. Some day it’s like raining in the darkness. Like sky meet Earth.

My country India looks like a natural Garden. It feels like you enjoy people and happiness. I miss my country like I forgot my happiness and joy.

Alpesh speaks Gujarati, Hindi and English. His hobbies include playing cricket and football.

Go and Open the DoorFadumo Mohamed

Go and open the doorMaybe outside there’sA celebration of your mother’s birthday and lovely facessmiling with you.Go and open the doorMaybe there’sa Lion fighting with the people or your country is burning.Go and open the doorYou’ll see your mother smiling at youOr your boyfriend JustGo and open the door.Maybe there’s Your boyfriend kissing your lipsOr your dreams coming true.

Fadumo speaks Somali, Arabic and English. She likes reading history books, playing basketball and watching TV.

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Power Over my LifeDenisa Roberta Dinu

Peace and love Over and over,Where the sunshine has powerEvery day, every nightRemember this and you will be fineOne day you will forgetVery quickly this will dieEveryone wants to know but you don’tremember what you knew,Memories and feelingsYesterday I lostLines about the lifeInteresting things, beautiful lies I felt bad and good at the same timeEverything that I knew.Different dimensions. Another life – Entertainments and amazing times.Nobody can understandInside me I have a fight – Sad, good and strange adventuresAnd my only way is to be independent.Imagination without youNouns and crazy things about meDifferent ways to liveEstimated on my mindPeople who said I’m madthey don’t know who I amEveryone thinks they arespecial but nobody is perfect.Divertissement, art and surpriseEvery time, every nightNobody can understandThis is the way I am.

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The DoorDenisa Roberta Dinu

Go and open the doorMaybe outside there’sthe beautiful place where we will meet one dayeverything’s about usevery word’s what one day I said,or the lost feelings in your mindMaybe even you my love.

Go and open the doormaybe outside there’sthe happiness that I lostthat smile which you take every secondor the old memories.

Go and open the doormaybe outside there’syou – my best thing which makes me flyyou – my best friend with your simpleand beautiful name Mirela.you – the person who makes me keepup even when I knew everything was lost.

Go and open the doormaybe outside there’sthe blue and shine seathe beach where I was bornmaybe my first surf classand the hot summermaybe there is Portugal.

Denisa speaks Portuguese, Romanian, English and Spanish. She likes sports, writing and Marine Biology.

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My SuitcaseAishvarya Ramniklal

Inside my soft and blue in colour suitcaseI would like to takeA blue diamond necklaceMy beautiful hair pinWhich has a white feather on it.I would like to takeA story book whichIs designed in multi-colour.It smells like my beautifulPink T-shirt and it hasThe colourful butterflies on itIt tastes like strawberry cake When it catches our eyes. It sounds like the bangles.It is made of glass strikes andcreates a breaking sound of glass It feels spongy when We touch and it reacts againIt feels like you areFlying freely in the air But I would not like to take broken wings with me.

I want to say...Bhagwat Pawar

I want to say that I like youI want to say that I love youI want to say that I can’t forget you.I want to say that I can’t leave you.I want to say that I am in love with you.I want to say that I miss you.I want to say that I wanna hug you.I want to say that I don’t want to go without you.I want to say that I don’t wanna lose you.I want to say that I can die for you.

Bhagwat speaks Hindi, Urdu and English and likes listening to music and playing cricket.

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Power over my LifeAishvarya Ramniklal

Peace and loveOver and overWhere ever you areEvery time in my lifeRemember this and you will be fine.

On the wayVisit a placeEver you want to seeRecognise that place which you see in your dream.

Most beautifulYellow colour

Lots of new flowersIncluding your best oneFor the restEveryone of those who you liked.

The DoorAishvarya Ramniklal

Go and open the door Maybe outside there’s a Garden full of coloured flowersGo and open the door Maybe you will see there’s A funny face Maybe there is a witchGo and open the door Maybe you will hear A voice coming through your faceGo and open the door Maybe you will see The hugest building that you had ever seenGo and open the doorMaybe you will see what you never expect to see.


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Unforgettable HistoryAbukar Omar Osman

There was a beautiful girl called Putey Bidaye Turu Dhagadele and she was the most amazing friend I have ever met. I met her at midnight.

It was Sunday night, no school, the weather was warm and it was an exciting, wonderful night. We sat in a big park called Puchong park.

We talked all the night. The people were sleeping and the streets were quiet. We were definitely happy that night and she kissed me, and I kissed her. After seven hours we decided to go back home.

It was difficult to find a bus because it was midnight.

We got a bus after two hours but the driver crossed a red traffic light and there was an accident. The driver died.

All I know is everybody was screaming and I can’t concentrate myself because my friend got a scar on her hand and needed stitches and help.

We called emergency help. We heard the sound of emergency sirens, someone from the hospital wearing white clothes called me. She was saying “come to me, you are bleeding”. In fact, I ran away.

Anyway we went back home peacefully. I couldn’t look at her face because I remember how it was that night and now, I can’t look her in the face.

Abukar speaks Somali and English. His hobbies include playing football, talking on the phone, watching TV and reading love stories.

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Power over my LifeMirela Andrei

Peace and loveOver and over Wherever you areEvery time in my lifeRemember this and you will be fine.

One thing about my life is I like to beVery much in controlEveryday I want to be happy but I Remember my country.

My friends, my everythingYesterday is gone forever.

Life, here is not lifeI hope to go back to RomaniaForever, and never come back.Everyday I get closer, going back.

Mirela speaks Romanian and English. She likes volleyball, writing, reading, watching movies and surfing the internet.

My Lost BraceletLarisa Borhan

I lost my braceletI lost my bracelet on the streetIt had different colours.It was feminine and elegant.It had different things.I was so sad when I lost it.It was so special to me, I miss it so much.

Larisa speaks Romanian and English, she likes music and watching movies.

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My SuitcaseMirela Andrei

Inside my long, pink and soft suitcaseI would like to takeA pair of jeans,My black favourite boots with a large zipMy most colourful shirt with many straight linesMy largest make up bag, I can’t breathe without itThe smell of my mom’s clothesI will never forget it.The smell and taste of mash potatoeswhich my mum cooked every Friday.The taste of my sister’s strawberry cake,My mum’s fingers when she touched my browwhen I was sick,The sound of the birds who always wake me up early in the morning,The sound of my mom shouting at me,The sound when I cry,My sister’s curly hair, her lovely face,My house, my pink and lovely room with butterflies on the walls.

Mirela speaks Romanian and English. She likes volleyball, writing, reading, watching movies and surfing the internet.

This World is our Shared VillageHijratullah Tawhidyar

The leaders of the world, the process of Atomic Power. This world is our shared village. Don’t bring violence to it. Why, why break the silence in it.Please don’t break the silence in it.Just for your own greed and lust.Don’t punish our innocent lives, children, mothers and wives.Don’t make slaves of our labour. We are grown with our own dreams and hopes. Why are you snatching that pen from our hands?Don’t pollute our colourful and beautiful world. We are feeling freedom in our hands of innocent children.This beautiful and stylish place, needs not to be Ruled by your greedy wills. Don’t destroy my motherland.

Hijratullah speaks Pashto and English.

14


JoyLarisa Borhan

Looks like the sun shining on a rainbowFeels as soft and velvety as a kittenTastes like a sweet apple covered in honey.Smells like a yellow daffodilSounds like birds singingI’m proud because I was able to write this poem about joy.

Larisa speaks Romanian and English and likes watching movies.

Sadness of LifeAlpesh Danilkumar

It looks like grey sky raining and thunder.It feels like being alone in the worldIt tastes bitter.It smells like when you miss someone.It sounds like raindrops on the street.

Sadness is like a broken heart.Sadness is so lonelySadness is a bad thing in the whole world.

Alpesh speaks Gujarati, English and Hindi and likes playing cricket and football.

The SuitcaseVrushank Dalal

Inside my blue, soft and light suitcaseI would take my black Reebok cricket kit, photos of my friends and family, lots of clothes and my black HTC phone.I would take the smell of sand from the sea. Because I like the smell of sea too much. I would take lots of chocolates and different types of chocolate.

Vrushank speaks Gujarati, Hindi and English and likes to play cricket.

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Go and Open the DoorZuheir Mohamed Ali

Go and open the doorMaybe outside there’s someone you lost. Go and open the doorMaybe you’ll see that smile again. Go and open the doorEven if there’s nothing. Go and open the doorTo hear that voice. Go and open the doorTo say good-bye one last time. Go and open the doorAnd leave the past behind. Go and open the doorAnd don’t be afraid to close it!

Painful NoisesZuheir Mohamed Ali

Painful noiseson the waywars that never endEed this and we’ll have peace.Respect is all it takes.

Options that save livesVersions from countriesElements that don’t existResist the Image.

Money don’t matterYears from now it won’t existInhale loveExhale hate.

Zuheir speaks Dutch, Somali, and English and likes shopping, cooking and going out with friends.

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Go and Open the DoorAbdullah Salem

Go and open the doormaybe outside there’sa dance floor or maybea big party go and open the door.

Go and open the doormaybe outside is a friend you have missed very muchgo and open the door.

Go and open the door maybe there’s a bag with lots of money.

Go and open the door maybe there’s your dream cargo and open the door. Go and open the door maybe it’s your loveror your fatheror your motheror your brotheror your grandmotheror your grandfather.

Abdullah speaks Arabic and English.

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FamilyZuheir Mohamed Ali

The feeling that you havewhen you’re surrounded by your loved ones.

The taste of when I’m eatingBariis/yo moos/Rice and Banana on a Sunday evening with my family.

Families are like different flowers from the same Garden.Whatever you do they’ll always be there for you.

Zuheir speaks Dutch, Somali, English and French and likes shopping, cooking and going out with friends.

When I Travelled For The First TimeHijratullah Tawhidyar

When I travelled for the first timeI was only 13 years oldI had a black and light blue bag.Inside I had a blue Afghan passport.Inside I had special Afghan clothesand three hundred dollars in a secret pocket.My mother told me to look after that bag.“You have inside a very special book, Qur’an.”Inside I had the sound of my country,birds making noises in the morning.my mother kissing me and saying “don’tforget me and your country. Never.”I still have the smell of my mother.

Hijratullah speaks Pashto and English.

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This MeAnusha Choppala

I am Anusha.I am orange.I am banana.I am very simple.I am very happy.I am not a singer.I am not a dancer.I am not a teacher.I am not a planner.I am not a dog.I saw a Noor in the classroom.I saw a dog in my house this morning.I saw my friend.I saw my car.I saw my shoes.

Anusha speaks Telugu and English. Her hobbies include reading books, watching TV and playing video games.

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Power over my LifeFadumo Mohamed

Peace and loveOver and overWhatever you areevery time in my liferemember this and you will be fine.

Once you can manage your life andvisit different places.every day and every timeremember and never forget it.

Maybe I’ll go back to Somalia.Yes I’ll go back.Yes I’ll go back to Somalia.

Learn how to fight your countryI will remember to fight my countryfight and die for your countryevery day and every timeI love Somalia.

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Me and My LoveFadumo Mohamed

Falling in lovealways I will be thereDon’t listen other peopleUnderstand each otherThat’s what we needMy heart loves youcalling you to come for the rest of my life.Obey my orders, every thing will be all right.

Fadumo speaks Somali, Arabic and English and likes reading history books, watching TV and playing basketball.

Go and Open the DoorBhagwat Pawar

Go and open the door maybe outside there’s gold.Go and open the door maybe outside there’s your love.Go and open the door maybe outside there’s friends.Go and open the door maybe outside there’s chocolate cake.Go and open the door maybe outside there’s an Asian lady.Go and open the door maybe outside there’s God.

Bhagwat speaks Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu and English and likes playing cricket.

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Love Story of Bird and RoseBhagwat Pawar

Once upon a time there was a bird. One day, he went to the forest, and he saw a beautiful rose in the forest, and he fall in love with her. One day he proposed to the rose and the rose said to him “I can’t fall in love with you because I am not red in colour. The day when I turn red that day I can fall in love with you.”A few months ago, the bird again proposed to the rose and she again said to him no, and she said “I’m not still red in colour, you have to wait.”The bird loved her very much. The next day he cut off his hand, it was bleeding. The blood of the bird fell down into the rose, and the rose became red. And the bird died. The rose realised that the bird loved her very much.

Bhagwat speaks Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu and English and likes playing cricket and listening to music.

My SuitcaseNoor Al-Khalidy

In my pink and black suitcase.I put my black dress.I put in a story, a romance book with a pink cover.I put in my mascara and pink lipstick.I put in the Love that looks like butterflies in the garden.I don’t put anger because that makes me sad.I put my family photo, it’s a colour photo when my familyWas happy and everybody was smilingIn the photo I have two brothers and one sister and my parents.

Noor speaks Arabic and English and likes to read, learn English, write, dance, and listen to music.

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My Lovely RabbitFadumo Mohamed

Once upon a time.It was my birthday. The air was pure, the sun was bright and the sky was clear.My mum gave me a rabbit, it was a female rabbit, black and white, and her eyes was green. She was beautiful and usually she liked to eat carrots and other vegetables.Her name was Jijiina. I used to take Jijiina around to play with other rabbits.My neighbour used to have a rabbit as well.One day, she got in to a fight with another rabbit. I found out after I came home. I ask mom “Mom where is Jijiina” “I don’t know, she was over there before you came in.” I went to the outside of my house and I saw her. She had nasty bruises on her face. She was very sad. I took her to the vet and luckily the doctor said that she will get better.A few days after Jijiini passed away and she was three and half years old when she was died. She will be with me in my heart.I will never forget her and she will be for the rest of my life.

Fadumo speaks Somali, Arabic and English and likes reading history books, playing football and watching TV.

PaintGiulia Isabele Ricci de Brito

I have one paintingIt is blue!Am I a painter?Yes, I am!

I paint on the board;I paint the sea,I paint the moon,I paint the sky,

I paint the people,I paint the world,Yes, I am painting! I am painting!I just paint life…The beautiful life!

Giulia speaks Portuguese and English. Giulia loves to read, and dance.

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My SunglassesAnil Pawar

My sunglasses are very costly.They have different shapes.My glasses are made of gold.They protect my eyes from the sun.When we wear glasses we look smart and cool.We can wear them on holidays or at a party.My sunglasses are black in colour.I put my glasses on my shirt.

Anil speaks English and Hindi and likes playing cricket.

Lost You!Divyesh Rama

I saw you, two years ago,I loved you. As you knowI thought you will never say No!I knew, I will always love you more,But I was not destined to be yours...

I never drunk wineBut just like number nineI don’t know why you were not mineHowever, I still hope you’re fine...

Divyesh speaks Gujarati and English and likes playing cricket and computer games.

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Power over my LifeAlpesh Danilkumar

Peace and love...Over and over,Wherever you are,Every time, I miss you.

Our...Value of a lifeEvery time and daysReady for help.

My life is colourfulbecause ofyou.

Life is amazingIf you concentrate.Full of love and colourfulemotion and love andlove...and love...

Alpesh speaks Gujarati, Hindi and English and likes to play cricket and football.

Open the DoorNoor Al-Khalidy

Go and open the doorI see my countryI see the building where my family and friends live.


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My Watch...Vrushank Dalal

My watch is beautiful,It’s very expensive,My friend gave it to me as a gift.It costed £10,000,It’s a Rolex watch,My watch reminds me of nice days,with my friend,It’s very important,My watch has different colours, like blue, red, black, my watch saw me in to late days and time,My watch has different shapes, like round, square, my watch is small,Oh my watch is good and I like it.

Vrushank Dalal speaks Gujarati, Hindi and English and likes playing cricket.

LoveNoor Al-Khalidy

Love looks like butterfliesFlying in the garden, going toAll the flowers.


Love is Like…Betinia-Naomi Pomparau

Love is like a red flower.Love is like a bird flying.Love is like a red cherries, when are dancing.Love is like a blue sea!

Betinia-Naomi speaks Romanian, Greek and English. She likes to play volleyball and tennis and to dance.

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What is a key?Divyesh Rama

I found a key.It was old and beautiful.It was dark and gold.I can open the door.I can use the key for a piano.When I go to school I will take this key.If I lose it I will be sad. Because when I go to my home I can’t open the door.

Divyesh speaks Gujarati and English and likes playing cricket and computer games.

Power over my lifeAnusha Choppala

People are together dancing.Outside in the night,with my friends aftereight o’clockright there!Other people are standing and seeing.It is very very beautiful and nice.Everybody sees this dance.Really like this – dancing very badly.

Anusha speaks Telugu and English and likes reading books, watching TV and playing video games.

My SuitcaseFaaduma Farah

My black suitcase is shining and soft.I would take my golden ring. It is shining.I would take my blue leather jacketI would take love like a bird flying in the blue sky.My suitcase is closed and the zipper lockedI love my suitcase.

Faaduma speaks Somalia and English.

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My SuitcaseBetinia-Naomi Pomparau

My brown leather suitcase is packed.I would take with me a lot of white birds and I will give them freedom.I would take with me Love, and I will give it to everyone. Love is like red flowers smelling sweet. I would take a lot of photos with me to remember my family and friends.

Betinia-Naomi speaks Romanian, Greek and English. She likes to play volleyball and tennis and to dance.

SuitcaseSathveeka Sriskantharajah

My small soft square leather suitcase.I would take my red Sri Lankan passport.I would take my yellow birth certificate.In the suitcase white and blue picture of my sisters and when we were seventeen and ten.Big sister is wearing blue jeans and red jacket and younger sister is wearing black jeans and blue jacket.My sister is smile and angrywhen we were in the picture.In the suitcase, blue, toothbrush.In the suitcase my mum houseaddress I write in my red note book.In the suitcase I have happinessI am playing in the beach.In my happiness I am going withmy friend ParkMy happiness I am feeling I amwith animals in the forestin my suitcase I put rose flower.

Sathveeka speaks Tamil and English and likes reading and playing computer games.

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My WalletAnusha Choppala

I have a wallet.It was black and gold.It was soft and rough.It was heavy. It was so nice.I took my wallet in my pocket.I put in my bag.I put secrets in my wallet.I took my wallet everywhere.My wallet nobody takes.I put my wallet in my family pictureIt is so beautiful.

Anusha speaks Telugu and English. Her hobbies include reading books, watching TV and playing video games.

Fahmo translates AristotleThose who educate children well are more to be honoured than parents, for these gave only life, those the art of living well.Arisotle

Kuwataclinta ilmakalcuwaso xushmeeyay waxbadan. Hadane walidadu, kuwaso siyay holol. Katiya, kuwaso ooku nool holol fican.Fahmo Abukar

Fahmo is from Somalia. She likes listening to music and watching TV.

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My CandleFahmo Abukar

I like my candle becauseif you have got a light,you can use it on a tableit has a nice colour,it is a new candle,it is very soft andbeautiful, my candle.

About PicturesFahmo Abukar

I see the pictures.I see nice shoes.I see pegsAfrica and America joining each otherI see patterning in the red colourand black and green.I want to touch the sky.

Fahmo is from Somalia. She likes listening to music and watching TV.

My Suitcase is PackedOana-Elisa Bleaja

I would take the peace, it will be a sunny day, a lot of white birds, people looking at the blue sky.I would take my favourite dress and my favourite glass for the sun.I would take a picture with my family, when they are so happy.

Oana-Elisa speaks Romanian and English. She likes to read and play volleyball, football, ping-pong and tennis.

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The SkySathveeka Sriskantharajah

She walks in the nightAt eight o’clock she sawThe sky, so beautiful like my friend’s face.Here, the sky is dark and brightVery, very nice the stars in the skyWhenever she saw in the sky at eight o’clockIt was really deep night.

NotebookSathveeka Sriskantharajah

I buy a notebookIt is a newIt was beautiful and nice.It was orange and blackIt was soft and smallI writing a poemI took in my bag.It was importantI took in my homeI put in my tableIf I lost the notebookI would feel sad and bad.

Sathveeka speaks Tamil and English and likes reading and playing computer games.

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My SuitcaseHamdi Yusuf

I put my love story book in my suitcase. Love is like birds flying in the sky. I put my lipstick in my suitcase.My suitcase is rectangular and soft.It is golden.My suitcase is like clouds.

Crocodile RiverHamdi Yusuf

When I was in my country.I had many friends.My close friend was called Amal.She was funny, she liked to tell me funny stories.When I was with her, I was feeling happy.We liked to go the river. The river was dangerous because there were many crocodiles.One day the weather was sunny, it was morning.My friend and I went to the river.Our aim was to swim in the river. When we arrived we saw a lot of children who were swimming. The river was big and powerful there were many trees beside the river, we were try to start swimming but unfortunately a crocodile jumped immediately and caught one of the children.I was watching.Oh! It was very bad. I will never forget that day.

Hamdi speaks Somali and English and likes listening to the Qur’an.

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Magic DoorArtur Kamikov

Go and open the door.Maybe outside there’sa dragon breathing the fireand Harry Potter fighting with the fire dragon.

People together dancingOutside in the night.With my friends afterEight o’clockRight there!

Artur translates Kurt VonnegutWe have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.Kurt Vonnegut

Mire godjkhbe hpogodjkamb hplmzamb co ckad umodey ha nymu bhuz y hac packpoebaducb kpurdbil.Artur Kamikov

Artur speaks Lithuanian, Russian, Polish and English. He likes going on the computer and playing video games.

Be RichAhmed Ahmed

One day a little boy (his name was Ali Ali) lived with his grandfather. The grandfather’s name was Usman.

They haven’t got any money. Ali is 9 years old and Usman is 45 year old. They don’t know what they can do. In the end, Usman will be married with a rich woman and they will be a rich family.

Ahmed speaks Somali, Norwegian and English and likes sports, particularly football.

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DiceArtur Kamikov

It was wooden and very easy.It was light brown and black.It was soft and warm.I can play with it everywhere.The dice are nice and beautiful.

Artur speaks Lithuanian, Russian, Polish and English. He likes going on the computer and playing video games.

A Red Angry LoveRenato Pereira

Angry is like, red eyesexploding in your face.

Love is like, two redcherries dancing with each other.

Love is like, a red penpainting your beautifulface, on the paper.

Renato speaks Portuguese and English and likes playing football and computer games.

Giulia translates Doris LessingThat is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way.Doris Lessing

Issoe o que aprendere. Voce derrepende entende alguma coisa que voce tem entendido a sua vida inteira, mas em um novo rumo.Giulia Isabele Ricci de Brito

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SuitcaseRenato Pereira

My black and yellow suitcase is packed .I would like take my favourite clothes, like my grey jeans, my purple shirt and my black shoes.I would like take my family, because I would miss them. I would like to take my friends, because I would miss them too and I want to see them.

Renato speaks Portuguese and English and likes playing football and computer games.

Over My LifeMariana Ile

Outside, the weather wasvery nice and in theevening, it started torain.

My heart was stolen byyou!

Love is like poisoninside you, your heart beatsfor someone special,every day.

Mariana speaks Romanian and English. She likes listening to music, playing handball and watching TV.

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My Heart SaidMariana Ile

My heart said: love those whoare your friends.Real friends who help you andI know that because friendsare your brothers/sisters for long/short time.Now I think I have friendsand real friends, so I am happy!

Mariana speaks Romanian and English. She likes listening to music, playing handball and watching TV.

Flowers at the DoorMohamed Hussein

Go and open the door maybe there are red and white flowers looking beautiful.I can see the outline of an airplane I can see a hand that has drawn an airplaneI can see a blue and red carpet.I can see a needle that they were using to draw an airplaneIt makes me feel bad because it makes me scary and nervous.

Mohamed speaks Somali and English. He likes reading and playing football.

Faaduma translates C S LewisMost of all, perhaps, we need an intimate knowledge of the past. Not that the past has anything magical about it, but we cannot study the future.C S Lewis

Guud ahaan laga yabo waxaan ubahanahay agoonta gaarka ku ah ee laso daafay tii hore mahu waxbu sixir ah kuma aha ayada laakin ma baran karno waxa mustaqbalka.Faaduma Farah

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Never ForgetAhmed Ahmed

Hora min bror og soster.Jeg vill se noe til dere.Noen vis du hor pi megYou will aldri tape.Det Jegvil se tilDegier aldri beSur aldri svar no.Aldri ikke roykAnd aldri ikke drikkOll. Og aldri ikkeHor pa vennen dineVis de lager noen problemer.Bror soster hor PaMeg.

Brother and sisterslistening to me I wantto tell you something if you do you willnever lose.I want to tell youdon’t be angry,and don’t answer withno. And don’t smokeand listen to yourparents. Brother and sisters, listen to me.

Ahmed speaks Somali, Norwegian and English and likes sports, particularly football.

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Power over my LifeOana-Elisa Bleaja

Love is like the red colour andInside your heart,you feel something strong for someone,every day.For example, it’s a model to be followed,In your life, you must listen to your heart,It’s a sentiment or an Attitude of mind.

Oana-Elisa speaks Romanian and English. She likes to read and play volleyball, football, ping-pong and tennis.

My Mum’s GlassesAamir Haji

One day after school my mom had me walk to the eye doctor to get my new glasses. It was a beautiful day in Somalia and all the big day in myself maple trees were red, yellow, and oranger after being fitted with my glasses, I left the eye doctors office, my mum she buy a new glasses. My first glasses were probably expensive just my current ones are so. I was excited to learn about company that has changed this making more affordable to consumer’s glasses and quality frames and lenses with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

GlassesAamir Haji

I like my glasses because my glasses are beautiful when I go for party, I wear my glasses. One day one of my friend asked me for my glasses he said “I like your glasses” I told him that if he’d liked my wear glasses he should give me money. When I wear my glasses everybody look at me them. One day, I lost my glasses, I was crying all day. One of my sister who is 5 years asked me “Aamir what happen to you?” then I said “I lost my glasses” she laughed at me and I said it is not funny, finally, I found new glasses I will never forget my glasses.My glasses is the best glasses in this world.

Aamir Haji speaks Somalia and 7 other languages, he likes playing football.

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Leaf poemsLondon can be both exciting and lonelyEngland needs a ray of sunshine to remember the way things were but also to move on.Always look on the bright side of life. Eat vegetables, wear clothes, have a shower, brush your teeth.Forget nothing. Forever is a long time.

LondonEngland needs help!Always kiss my parentsForget words that hurt me

London is beautifulEngland needs busesAlways be my best friendFood in India is delicious

London is London EyeEngland needs good housesAlways sing musicFriends are loving

London is bigEngland needs peopleAlways do drawingFlowers are beautiful

London is bigger than ParisEngland needs fun peopleAlways go to bedFootball is a good game

London is big and has London eyeEngland needs me to stay hereAlways chat with my friendsFlowers are beautiful

London is traffic lightsEngland needs better weatherAlways do homeworkFunny is my brother

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Name poemsAt home I’m very happyHappy day chatting with my friendLearning English makes me happyAmina is my best friendMy friend likes me

Reading is what I loveAngry is what my little sister does to meMusic from India I loveElephants live in IndiaSomething from India is goodHungry I get when I see bananaVaruna is my best friendAll day I’m happyReally, really, really I like IndiaI would like to be an artist

Happiness is cooking my dinnerAsda is where I buy my cricket batRice is niceSitting at home is what I do with my friendsHurray for holiday!At school I hate EnglishNumbers are something I likeApples are good

Really! I like chocolate.A country called India where I was born.Dancing to music I love.Hospital is like a horrible jail.I like to stay with my family.Karrina is a famous actor in Bollywood.At 6 years old I came to London.

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Animal poemsI’m a dolphin because it’s cuteand helpful and soft and playful.

Somalia is like a lion, dangerous fighting.Somalia is a hyena, dangerous, cold and grey,living in the junglebut travelling farto come into the villageto eat goats.

I am a dog, good,playful, likes running,big as a horse,I can be scary

India is a lion,It’s strong and fierce,It’s big, colourfulAnd beautiful

I am a peacockBecause it has multi-coloursand it has beautiful feathers.Also it can fly.It has a nice voice.

I am from India, India is a tigerBecause it is our national animal,India is strong and beautiful

I’d like to be a pandaBecause they are cute,Quiet, not dangerousAnd they are sleepy.I saw a panda in the zooAnd they are so sweet,And I like them.

Poland is a mooseBecause it’s big, strong And beautiful

I’m a parrotBecause its sound is very lovelyand its colour is light green

I’m a magpie,Flying, stealing,I’m good at flying.

I come from India,It’s like a camelBecause it is hot and strongIt helps peopleAnd we sit on the camelTo go somewhere

I’m a birdSoft, cute, annoyingLittle, singing, beautiful

My country SpainIs like a snakeBrown, green and yellowThe snake likes hot weather.

My country Moroccois a lion. We havemany lions in the Atlas.Morocco has many different foods.

I’m a slow chameleonAnd I can change coloursTo my landscape or background.

I come from Poland and my animal is a lynx because they are very intelligent. They can come in your house through a window without you noticing.

One day I was in the kitchen with my grandma cooking. The window was just slightly open and my grandma just heard a little footsteps

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near the cooker and when we turned around we saw it, it was a lynx. He wanted to steal the meat but I run to the room and I took a big broom and tried to whack it but it got scared and ran away.

I am a butterflyAnd I would like to meet different people.I am flying flower to flower.

Somalia is a friendly tiger.It is a big and dangerous place.

I am a cat because it’s cute, cuddly, soft, playful and not scared

Kuwait is a camel that lives in the desert

I am a duck because its colour is black and whiteAnd its neck is big and small, swimming in the water

I come from India and it’s like a horse because it’s hot and strong and we sit on horses when we are going somewhere

I’m a lion because I’m beautiful,dangerous and I have got beautiful orange colourand I’m very fast,I saw a lion when I was 9 years old in Somalia.

Somalia is a little goat that children like to play withBecause it’s so cute and funnyAnd also Somalia is famous for music, poetry, dramaWild animals, goats, camels, cows and bananas

I am a peacock because I like that it’s cute and beautifulAnd it has different colours. Peacock is proud.

Somalia is a crocodile by the river.The skin of the crocodile is green and brown.

If I have to be an animal,I would like to be a tigerBecause they are nice, strongAnd they like to do many different things.They are a little bit scary but not so dangerousAs they look like.

My country Poland is a foxBecause there are too many in the forestAnd they are too fast to catch.

I am a rabbit because it’s so niceAnd lovely. They are not dangerousFor us. I like them, how they eat carrotsAnd drink water. Their eye colour is red.When you see their eyes you think that Rabbits are crying, so beautiful.

My country Afghanistan is a centipedeBecause when the weather becomes hotThey will be found too muchIn my country. They are 100% dangerous.They walk slowly. The colour is sometimes brown,Sometimes green. And they have on both sides 40 legs.If they bite you or eat your blood, you will die.When you see them, don’t go near them.

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Super poemsI am Evil Beauty Princess. I want to have black, big boots. I am a vampire blood sucker. Also I am a dangerous person. My clothes are black t-shirt, black jeans and black cloak. My eye colour is red. I have a black shiny bracelet and if something happens, or something goes inside of my heart, I will die. Also if someone’s body bleeds, I must drink their blood. Because I can’t control myself if I see or smell blood.

I am Pinky FlyI am a woman with fly wingsWho helps people when they need help.My clothes are pink tight trousersAnd pink hoody. Pink with diamond trainers.I have a small diamond ringAnd the magic is when I touch themPeople feel better.

I am Super Secret DriverBlack shoes with diamondsFor climbing and jumping.Dolce Gabana.I want to have black and gold trousersWith zip hoody and white t-shirt.Necklace with my real name.Many magical things

I am Super Mind ReaderI know what people are really thinkingI have gold trainers with gold laces,When I touch someone’s shoeThen I can read their mind.I like to wear small skirt and t-shirt.The t-shirt colour is half silver and half goldAnd the skirt is pleated. Its colourIs half gold and half silver And the jewelry is silver.

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I am Fast Baby SaverIn t-shirt and jeans,Flying shoes with wingsAnd a red and blue cape

I never forgetWhen the people see meThey close their eyesBecause I wear high heels, diamonds,Magic shoes. A long black dress with a hood.

I am Enjoy DoctorRose gold flower dream peopleI am a princessI can jump over every house in the worldAnd I wear a black top

I am Super Animal FriendI have trainers with animals on them so when I jump I can jump wherever I want.I want to have trousers that have half of them is a pattern of zebra and half has a pattern of giraffe and my hood will have a big picture of a chameleon as well I have a bracelet, necklace and ear rings that can do Many magic things.

I am Super Girl,Black high bootsWith the letter IRed jeansAnd a beige blouse.

I am shrinking woman.I wear boots with heels.I wear a red sari with a silver tikka headpiece

Dream princess,high heeled shoes with one diamond.Brown, short skirt, sleeveless t-shirt.Cream jacket, short.Small diamond bracelet.Ear rings diamond and a ring.

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PrincessHigh heeled, gold shoesJewels on the frontI like to wear jeansAnd a t-shirt,The colour is black and white.

I can super change into any animal I wantMy boots are black with rocketsin the heels so I can fly and run fast everywhere.I wear jeans and a t-shirt with a heart. When I touch the animals,I can change colour to be the same as them.

I am Cute SaverFlat shoes with a flower diamondT-shirt bronze and jeans beigeAnd bracelet with flower and small ring and bag with diamond and beige bandana

Leaf Poems, Name Poems, Animal Poems and Super Poems were written as a group by: Iman Al-Shammari, Widad Aouil Ghamzi, Dhangauri Giva, Iman Hassan, Sadia Hassan, Ahlam Iman, Deko Moalim, Amena Osmam, Harshana Ramesh, Varuna Dhanj, Julietta Parczewska, Farhonda Rahimi, Wiktoria Lesniewska, Rhadika Dhanji, Rameshvari Mehji.

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My Suitcase Is Packed has been made as part of a literature education project called Big Writing For A Small World from English PEN’s Readers & Writers Programme supported by John Lyon’s Charity. English PEN is one of the UK’s leading literature and free speech charities, based at the innovative Free Word centre in Farringdon, London. We promote the freedom to write and the freedom to read. The founding centre of a worldwide writers’ association, established in 1921, we are supported by our active membership of leading writers and literary professionals with an elected Board led by the distinguished author Gillian Slovo. Our education programme develops the writing of prisoners, detainees, refugees, asylum-seekers and other socially-excluded groups. We also run a full programme of public events and award prizes to outstanding British and international writers. Big Writing For A Small World involved young people from Copland Community College and Crest Academy. Almost fifty young people who have recently arrived in the UK took part in the project. They worked with the writers Miriam Halahmy, Malika Booker, John Hegley, Simon Mole and Aoife Mannix. Thanks to everyone involved in the project, especially Tanja Villiko-Sefton, Druscilla Rodrigues, Helen Seraphin-Mobbs, Josiane Aziz, Jonathan Kearnes, Mary Chilton, Polly Roberts and Pat Hicks.

www.englishpen.org

English PEN is a company limited by guarantee, number 5747142, and a registered charity, number 1125610.

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My Suitcase Is Packed