Poetry
FAIRTRADE POETRY COMPETITION 2009-10
Susan Lacey reading her poem 'A Pensioner Fights the Fairtrade Cause'
The winners of the Fairtrade Poetry Competition were announced at the Fairtrade Fashion Show during Fairtrade Fortnight 2010. The overall winner of the competition was Hollie Thubron, also winner of the 9-12 years old category, with her poem "You'll Look Back".
YOU'LL LOOK BACK
If you want to make a difference,
then think about a life.
Listen to these words of wisdom,
and make a sacrifice.
But you'll look back.
Think about what you can do
for those who are like us;
that work and work, all night and day,
yet only earn little pay.
But you'll look back.
Think about what you're eating;
what others did to get it?
We can help them whilst defeating
and help them get fair credit.
But if you ignore what I have said
and carry on; go ahead.
But you'll look back.
We can help make this fair, if you will trade;
something that you have to share,
so they may get fair paid.
But if you ignore what I have said
and carry on; go ahead.
But you'll look back.
If one day, this happens to you,
you'll look back over your shoulder;
and think of the thing,
you didn't do.
By Hollie Thubron
The winner of the 5-8 years category was Connor Pepper aged 8 with 'My Fairtrade Poem':
MY FAIRTRADE POEM
Fair!
Fair!
Fair!
Run!
Run! Run!
Dashing up the aisles,
Trying to find Fairtrade.
Care for them.
Buy! Buy! Buy!
Buy Fairtrade
As much as you can.
If you like the idea
Get out of the house
Buy some Fairtrade today !!!
And the winner of the Age 21+ category was Elizabeth Patterson with 'You Can Make A Difference!":
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
As I think of the needs in the Third World
And of those for whom life is so tough,
My heart's deeply moved, for compared with them.
I know I have more than enough.
They scarcely have more than the basics,
They've seldom enough food to eat;
And now they struggle with climate change
And battle the drought and the heat.
As parents, they fear for the future;
Will their children know poverty too?
Will they even survive, for it seems at times,
They won't even make it through.
And then I end up feeling helpless
Is there anything else I can do?
You see I'm only a pensioner
With a limited bank balance too.
But since I found out about Fairtrade
There's a way I can play my part.
When I buy all my weekly groceries,
It helps to give them a new start.
I just look for the Fairtrade labels-
(Their products are all very good!)
I buy as many of these as I can -
Please join me - you really should!
The more that we buy of these products
We're helping the poor to survive;
We're giving them hope for their future
That a better day soon will arrive.
If that's given you a taste for Fairtrade poetry, see our selection of Fairtrade poetry written by local poet, Susan Lacey.