‘The alchemy of expression’ by James Anderton, Year 10, Colyton Grammar School

Reaching for the right words

On the tip of your tongue

To make yourself heard

To right the world’s wrongs

 

No such words should exist

Yet you still wish for them to

Hoping for some miracle

To bring them to you

 

Many others have tried

To find these searing words of fire

But they draw back like the tide

These flowing words of water

 

These words have floated across leagues

Spoken softly through the air

Yet stayed immovable in their power

Stable, solid like the earth

 

No other words in the world

Shatter shadows and fade light

Warm the body, heart, mind and soul

Before leaving them numb and contrite

 

Reaching for the right words

To save the dying earth

Or destroy it with a mutter

These words have worth

 

Make the right choice.