Now at her senior school, Amelia's still writing, I'm glad to say. And she's upping the ante.
Her year were invited to write a poem which would be entered in to a national competition. The winners would have their work published in a book and of those in Amelia's year (her first, she's now 12) only two were chosen. I'm beyond proud that hers was one.
And this one is also weird, and quite existentialist. I love it.
While Dolphins Juggle In The Dining Room
While Dolphins Juggle In The Dining Room
Zebras prance, fly and zoom.
When crocodiles play music loud,
An elephant floats on a cloud
While giant ants in plastic pants scour the Earth,
Tiny giraffes express their mirth.
When cats and dogs finally make friends,
A hippopotamus is trying new trends.
While slithering snakes drink milkshakes,
Monkeys clear the garden with miniature rakes,
When hedgehogs sharpen their spikes
Lions and sloths go for hikes.
While cows play noughts and crosses,
Ladybugs become bosses,
When leopard spots turn green
Everyone shouts, "It's Hallowe'en!
Amelia Shackleford
Alas she's not getting royalties for the work, but hey, give it time! :-)