Litmus Year: 2022
‘Rabbit Foot’ by Isabel Sanchez, Kingsdale Foundation School
Our story begins with a man and a rabbit’s foot. Outside, birds twitter in glorious harmony as the sun shines down on a picturesque and bustling city. Yet amidst this idealistic environment there is a troglodytic creature barely noticeable residing in a gloomy apartment. The closed curtains betray just a glimpse of the cowering silhouette. …
‘Memories on the Wall’ by Sanjhbati Chakraborty, Year 10, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
As I pick up the last cardboard box from my car, I pause for a moment and look up at the house; after days of planning and preparation, today is the day I am finally moving in. It is a beautiful house in a quiet neighbourhood, with lots of trees and dark, green ivy trailing …
‘The Writing on the Wall’ by Rufus, Year 9, Bromsgrove School
A swift stuffy breeze raced past my flailing limbs. It pushed against me, A malicious attempt at stopping me from staying alive. Nothing would halt my efforts, I had a drive to survive. My resignation papers danced as frantically as I did, Tossing and turning in my palm. They seemingly made a desperate attempt …
‘Promises’ by Gabriella Petrillo
The midday sun settled in the centre of the sky, highlighting dandelion seeds as they danced like fairies. Delicate wisps of wind caused the two girls’ dresses to float and carried their cheerful giggles away with the summer air. They had returned to their favourite meadow for the fifth day in a row. Their wall …
‘Late’ by Aoife Cahill, age 14
There are two walls that face each other down an alleyway in the city centre that live to be the designated graffiti spot of the whole town. It’s a narrow alley, only wide enough for about three people to walk down, shoulder to shoulder. If you want to fully admire the art on either wall, …
‘Tick…Tock’ by Anonymous
A dying woman’s take on life. I watch the fragility of time creep past as the hour hand hurries away in the city centre ticktock…ticktock…ticktock. How ominous it is but nobody bats an eyelid; too preoccupied with whatever task that lays ahead. An unabating omen that we will all one day die. The writings on …
‘An Esoteric Cry’ by Yea Nah, age 16
Recently my town added an art gallery for artists of all art forms to submit their work even if they don’t have professional backgrounds. Rows upon rows of different works are presented for the world to see. It’s such a beautiful sight to experience and admire. However, my favourite part of the experience is the …
‘The Before.’ by Dylan, Year 10, Chorlton High School
A low, dead wind shuddered through the steel canopy, teasing a loosened sheet of corrugated iron, whining in protest as it was torn slowly from its fastenings. The wind itself, while not living, carried with it a writhing mass of darkened smog, which collected in vast, circular eddies, before pouring over and spilling into the …
‘colour room’ by Jasmine Savory
this morning i was colouring with my crayons. but then i heard something so loud downstairs that it made my head hurt. mummy was shouting at daddy. emmie was still asleep, so i went downstairs by myself. i sat on the stairs really quietly, but mummy saw me anyway. ‘morning bailey. i’m popping out for …