It hasn’t felt much like summer with all the rain we’ve been having in the UK lately. As June ticks away, the sun has finally come out where I live, so I’ve got my fingers crossed that this year’s Sports Day will dawn bright and warm.
I have noticed on my website that lots of people are looking for Sports Day poems. It seems to be a favourite topic (or maybe one that teachers suggest) so I thought you might like to read my poem here, now that the sporting season is upon us.
When I was young I was not very good at racing, so I really dreaded Sports Day every summer. Some of my friends were excellent runners and jumpers, and they always ended the day festooned with First ribbons, while I had nothing. I secretly wished there could be an Art Day or a Story Day when I could win all the prizes!
In my poem I imagine what it’s like for both types of people, sporty and not so sporty. Which one are you?
Sports Day
Just four more days Four days to go!
so long to wait I count with dread
till egg-and-spoon each night
and ball-and-plate, as I get into bed.
till starting guns I’ve got to go,
and lightning starts there’s no way out,
and pumping legs find something else
and pounding hearts, to think about
the thrilling chase before a nightmare
of every race, starts to hatch,
the cooling breeze with flying balls
upon my face, I cannot catch,
the final push and tripping shoes
so well rehearsed, with tangled laces,
the burning drive pointing fingers,
to come in first! laughing faces,
And there it is, hoops and beanbags
the finish line! zooming past,
I’m almost through – always, always
the prize is mine! coming last.
To top it all, No amount of
the races done, sporting fun
it’s time for ice cream, will make this day
games and fun. a better one.
Another year If only I
of work and play could sneak away
ends with a bang – and read a book –
I love Sports Day! I hate Sports Day!
I love this poem – and the great photos. My goodness, how they grow up…
Yes, it’s a bit scary! Big teenage girls now. The poem is one of my favourites, but I wish I could work out how to get it less s t r e t c h e d o u t ! Slight technical hitch still to resolve…