Letter C in the Poetry Feast belongs to Dom Conlon. Dom launched onto the children’s poetry scene with Astro Poetica, illustrated by Jools Wilson, a lovely collection of poems inspired by space and praised by Nicola Davies, Jon Culshaw, George Szirtes and many more. Since then he has been published in magazines and anthologies whilst performing and teaching in schools and libraries around the North West. Dom’s work can be read here.
Here is the lovely poem Dom has sent:
.
Choose to be
You get to choose the you you are
so choose this school and you’ll go far.
You’ll get the time, you’ll get support
you’ll get to build a deep rapport
with people who’ll be friends for life
who’ll stick beside you through the strife,
who’ll listen, help and be your light
but only if you choose what’s right.
So choose the pen and not the sword,
choose to work and not get bored.
choose to be the one who said
I’m not afraid to be well-read.
Choose to sit and choose to learn
to raise your hand and take your turn
at being right (or being wrong)
because you know before too long
you’ll be the best that you can be
the kid who’ll be the one to see
that working hard beyond the bell
is an education wishing-well.
It grants a future, then guess what?
It grants you more than just one shot
at teaching maths or fixing taps
or dancing til the whole world claps,
at growing into something new
a brighter, better, braver YOU,
the sort of person who looks up
who always sees a half-full cup,
who stills joins in with every game
and still has dreams of wealth and fame
who sees a school as good, not bad
nor a jail term to be had
until you’re old enough to leave.
So choose to trust and to believe
that everything which you put in
will one-day count and be a win
even if it’s late at night
by your child’s bedside light
as they look to you and ask you why
you chose to give this school a try.
© Dom Conlon
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Poetry Roundabout 
Loved this poem. Soooooo fabulous.
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I’ll let Dom know he has some comments!
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How brilliantly lovely! Thank you!
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Dom Conlon’s poem is an inspitational rhyme that is pitch-perfect for primary children. Beautifully constructed for performance.
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Isn’t it, John! Wonderful.
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Thanks, John. It was originally written for a high school I was invited to but I’ve performed it in Primary since.
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