Far away the hills

the ice-cold moon and stars

here, Chloe and me

By Philippa Jemmett, aged 9 Geese

Above the clouds

birds like arrows

necks reaching for the sun

By Samantha Powell, aged 9

Winter

Each tiny snowflake

landing on the earth’s white sheet

joining its family

By Yuki Akazawa, aged 9

The poets receive The Orchard Book of Funny Poems, compiled by Wendy Cope.Submitted by Len Mullan of the Old Hall School, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire who receives the Poetry Society’s teachers’ newsletter. For Poetry Society events ring 0171 240 4810.

These children have evidently read some haiku and developed a feeling for the form. Does a haiku in English necessarily have to have exactly 17 syllables? I think not, but some poets disagree. Calling them “Snapshot Verses” is a neat way of side-stepping the argument, and of reminding children that the point is to capture a moment.