{"id":7271,"date":"2023-10-20T16:20:59","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T16:20:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk\/imo\/?p=7271"},"modified":"2023-10-20T16:21:03","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T16:21:03","slug":"coram-voice-writing-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk\/imo\/life-hacks\/coram-voice-writing-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Coram voice writing competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Today the Coram Voice writing competition has launched. This is a chance for you to tell your story and let your creativity, talent and imagination flourish. In celebration of this, we are sharing two beautiful pieces of poetry from Coram’s 2022 writing competition. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Inspired by the 2022 theme ‘This is me’ these winning entries share powerful reflections of their own lived experiences which shaped them into the people they are today. This years theme is \u201cWhat makes me different?\u201d<\/strong>, a celebration of your own uniqueness. Entries can be anything from poetry, short stories, music, rap, spoken word and more. The competition will be open until the 17th of December so plenty of time to get creative. The 24 shortlisted finalists will get invited to Coram Voice’s brilliant Awards Ceremony in London, due to take place in February 24th. Have a read of last years winning entries for some inspiration…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
My Journey<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Coming here was not part of the plan
But I had to flee danger in Iran
Every day the police could take my life
Every single day filled with fear and strife
You wouldn\u2019t believe the things my eyes have seen
Things that would make your soul scream
Things that you can never forget
Nightmares that would make you wake up in a sweat
Fifty-four people in just one small boat
We were worried that it would not stay afloat
No one can understand how much I was terrified
If in the next second I will even be alive
Landed in a country where everything is new
Everything so different, don\u2019t know what to do
I have lost my parents, I\u2019m filled with so much regret
My message: please give your mother and father respect<\/p>Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child – Age 15<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is me \u2026<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

This is me \u2026
I’ve been through so much pain, but i didn’t know that i was hurting.
All these bad decisions, because my vision was uncertain.
Lonely in my cell, but i can\u2019t see it as a burden, i just put it down too all the pain I\u2019ve given, now I\u2019m deserving.
I blame it on myself, i guess I\u2019m tired of blaming you, unaccepting the truth was just the easy thing to do.
And i know that cause you love me, you always will forgive me. But I\u2019ve worn out all the chances that you gave me it\u2019s a pity.
Alone with all the silence, sick and tried with no virus. And my mind sets tired, always rhyming bout my violence, n at the bottom where my life is, you can see it in my eye lids.
Just a bunch of little minors playing run outs with the sirens.
Looking at these walls, thinking how i played the fool, but you never value time when you\u2019re young and breaking rules.
Like I\u2019m way to cool, 13 f school. And my mother tried to show me, but i thought i knew it all. Now I\u2019m 18, looking back, d*m that went fast. Feels like just the other day, I was sitting in my class. Wasn’t thinking about my future, now I\u2019m writing about my past. Never listen to the tutor, always came in class last. Now I\u2019m last place, at one point d*m i was 1st. But i know it\u2019s better than me laying in a Hurst !
Turn this pain to reverse, n all the ashes that emerged, and when they hit me with the bird, i thought this blessing was a curse. But the one thing for real, make mistakes, you better learn. The first time stings, but the second time burns.
And the world still turns, whilst my case gets adjourned. But you try n stay firm is the only concern.
And my life had to change, cause it aint about me. My sister writing letters, I can\u2019t even see.
Be real with yourself, cause your freedom aint free. The long way n the sweat. The short cut makes you bleed.
The hard head never hears, till they break your mind.
Think you see s**t clear, but the blind lead the blind.
When you step between tracks, better take your time.
Little youngen on them steps, like im gonna take what\u2019s mine.
And that\u2019s big facts, no cap. If I could I would go back.
Use to show love, but love never got shown back.
Throwback, in n out flats with them old cats, old racks, use to tell me i could make it if i sold packs.<\/p>Care Leaver – Age 18<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Enjoyed these poems? Looking for more inspiration? See this anthology <\/a>of last years shortlisted poems.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Submit your entry to this years competition here.<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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