World Poetry wishes to thank the many World Poetry Volunteers who came to help at the World Poetry Children’s Table at the Summer Dream Festival.

Several mothers and relatives came up to thank me for having the table and the volunteers there. One mother said “It was so important for her daughter” that she wanted to thank me as well as the volunteers. I also received great feedback from the volunteers-it was a great partnership!

Also some WP volunteers helped the festival on behalf of World Poetry and deserve our great thanks.

We would like to thank Pandora’s Collective for giving us the table space and providing an hour of stage time for the children. Without their help the children’s table would not have been possible.

Here is a poem describing the experience and the event by World Poetry Volunteer of the Year 2007, Deborah Kelly. Deborah says: “I had an absolutely wonderful time at the Festival. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help wherever needed. I hope you enjoy this poem!”

Teach The Children

A lovely afternoon in Stanley Park,
the Summer Dream Festival down by the sea.
Spent most of my time this day,
helping the children with their poetry.

Then up on stage, pooh bear in hand,
we read their words to those watching the stage.
Such fun, such fun, I had with this
and I was totally in line with their age.

I had a gas, helping children rhyme,
their innermost feelings of things that they love.
Two little girls spent their time with me,
I was blessed in a forest from Heaven above.

So many children laughing
and listening to poetry rhyme...
They kept coming back for more and more,
please, read this poem of mine?

Such a joy to be blessed with the care of the child,
to teach, and to show them this day,
how to express what they feel inside
in an inspiring and positive way.

The rain held off,
though the day looked grey,
but a lot of good people
came out our way.

The tents all up, the crew on hand,
Vancouver’s finest were out this day.
Some first-rate writers in this western land
came out to share their say. 

Hallelujah, hallelujah for the poets,
among the most eloquent at His command.
We’ll help to lift the consciousness
of humanity in many lands.

Teach the children how to speak,
to reach out to others for inspiration fair.
Teach them how to express themselves
how to teach others what they’ve learned, to share.

For the spoken word is in the hands
of our children and their children too.
So let’s teach them how to make a better world,
with words written of beauty, and of peace and of Truth.

© Deborah L. Kelly

World Poetry Volunteer for the World Poetry Poem Tree Project for Children.

Ariadne Sawyer, MA
Co-Founder, The World Poetry Reading Series
Performance Plus Trainer
www.ariadnescoaching.com