The winning artwork and poems by Warwickshire school pupils who entered Kissing it Better's competition

Kissing it Better held poetry and art competitions
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Six weeks ago, Warwickshire-based charity Kissing it Better launched an art and poetry competition, so that young people could use their creativity to enhance the lives of older people.

Now the judges have made their decisions, and the winning poems and pictures will be shared with South Warwickshire Foundation Trust Hospitals and Care Homes.

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The photos show the winning artwork entries and below are some of the winning poetry entries.

Kissing it Better has announced the winners of its poetry and art competitions. Photos suppliedKissing it Better has announced the winners of its poetry and art competitions. Photos supplied
Kissing it Better has announced the winners of its poetry and art competitions. Photos supplied

Age seven to 11 category

First place: Jacob Neal - Warwick Junior School - “The letter from Grandad”

The Letter from Grandad

The letter arrived on a Tuesday,

Georgia Seamer's artwork (Warwick Prep School)Georgia Seamer's artwork (Warwick Prep School)
Georgia Seamer's artwork (Warwick Prep School)

In a small, white, crumpled envelope.

The writing, neat and fluid,

In a stream across the front.

I opened it up with excitement,

Freddie Seamer's artwork (Warwick Junior School)Freddie Seamer's artwork (Warwick Junior School)
Freddie Seamer's artwork (Warwick Junior School)

Knowing who its sender was.

But this was tinged with sadness too –

At our imposed separation.

Never before had he written me a letter,

Lucy Jenning' artwork (Kings High School)Lucy Jenning' artwork (Kings High School)
Lucy Jenning' artwork (Kings High School)

Never had cause when hugs can be given.

Now though, handwritten words are precious,

And the love within wasn’t hidden.

At the start was his typical humour

Which made me smile and feel warm,

And then his words of encouragement

Isobel Preston's artwork (Stratford Girls school)Isobel Preston's artwork (Stratford Girls school)
Isobel Preston's artwork (Stratford Girls school)

Where his voice seemed to echo around.

He talked of memories of happy times,

And I yearned to be back there –

Laughing with him.

He spoke of the future, and how we must hope,

And how we will party when all this is gone.

It was a letter of love that I will always hold dear.

The letter from my grandad,

The man I revere.

Second place: Jaya Kalsi - All Saints C of E School- “Bringing Generations Together”

One day we will all be told

With a story o be told

So love and respect and show some care

We’re human with some wear and tear

Young and old, let’s all unite

Sing songs and dance till night

Bring a smile to each- others face

Make this world a happy place

Age 11 to 14 category

Second place: Amelia Rainey – Aylesford School

It’s been 5 weeks; 35 days since I last walked your halls.

5 weeks since I laughed with friends around me

Who knew I’d miss school so much..

So much has changed and yet everything seems the same...

I miss my family, I miss my friends.

But I feel safe, I am loved, I am lucky,

I spend the days having fun, getting mucky.

These precious memories I’ll have to keep,

They’ll keep me smiling in my sleep,

My sister laughs, my brother crawls.

I’m seeing milestones I’d have missed before.

I’ve learnt to cook, I’ve learnt to bake.

We’ve enjoyed quality family time, bbq’s & making s’mores, films, computer games and much much more.

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We’ve done handstands and frontflips, played in the garden for hours in the warm spring sun

These times are proving difficult for so many, but we’re still not done,

I am still smiling, remaining strong,

because I am positive that better days will come.

Please stay positive but please stay home, this needs to be done by everyone,

remember your family,

remember your friends

keep in touch by text, video or phone

Lets all do our bit so we’re soon free to roam.

It’s ok to feel anxious, it’s ok to feel scared.

Let’s not let our efforts be in vain;

Everybody wants happiness.

Nobody wants pain.

But you cant have a rainbow

Without a little rain.

I felt sad today, I didn’t get to say goodbye or hold your hand.

Covid-19 you took away someone I loved.

Age 15 to 18 category

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Joint first place Taha Elamin- Warwick School- “A conversation between two generations”

Hi, look I’m sorry I’m calling your line

I hope I’m not wasting your time

But sitting here doing nothing is not my style of life

I feel like I’m committing a crime

People need help and I don’t really want to whine

But the NHS are now being forced to work overtime

To buy bread I’m made to stand in an hour long line

People with mental health issues feel forced to say their fine

I’m trying to make a difference through rhyme

But it’s not gonna cut it this time

So I need your advice

Look, I’m so glad you called my phone,

Trust me from experience you can’t go about this alone,

World problems overwhelm us and make us feel drowned,

But letting it all out is one step closer to the place where happiness can be found

It’s also good to see you’re caring for others

The world is a better place when love unconditional is shared between one another

Thanks but what I really need is an answer

Why there still isn’t a cure for cancer

Why our world lacks the love and devotion

To start properly looking after our oceans

The source of pollution? 4.8 million tons of our plastic

1. How do these statistics not make people static

There is no answer and there never will be

Not for us anyway it’s far beyond what we can see

The elders who are said to be the most wise

I think even for them this came as a surprise

It doesn’t matter that their a different generation

This is a unique situation

And for all of us, it’s education

So no matter what you are young or old

We are all in the same boat

But being a community

Will keep us afloat

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Joint first place: Gigi Thomas - King’s High School - “My Mind”

In the dusty corners of my mind

Look around and see if you can find

Half formed thoughts, discarded dreams

Drifting gently with word like streams

Flowing, falling letters fill the space

Clouds swirling, floating with much grace

Raising questions, sinking worries

Answers forming, whirling in flurries

Fears cascade down as waterfalls

Joy clouds spinning like balls

But worries cast a dark shadow inside

In small crevices, my doubts confide

A dark foreboding storm starts its descent

A crack of dawn, heaven sent

Extinguishing the pain and gloom

My mind returns to a comfortable room.

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