Competition

Highly Commended

A Caterpillar’s Journey
by Tayla Journeaux
Burpengary State School, Burpengary, Qld

As I huddle under a fallen leaf
Hiding from my swooping predators,
I scuttle away, trying to become invisible to the large beasts

Towering gum trees stretch so high
I think they could reach the sky.
Tall mountains of dirt paint the distant horizon.
Songs of humorous crickets lead me to the wide open valleys of green grass;
To my right I see butterflies dancing around the oceans of dirty water
Made from huge storms of great rain, loud thunder and crackling lightning.
Small armies of ants
March over and under the dead autumn leaves that lay on the forest floor.

I am nearly home.
And as I look upon the grey and stormy sky, my flying enemies are nowhere to be seen,
Until the squawking beasts
Dive for me once more.
I feel a slight chill through my dozens of legs,
And my body goes numb with fear
THE CHASE IS ON!!!

I slide over valleys and rocky paths,
But still I can’t lose them.
A hidden opening suddenly appears,
I hurry to the small cave and slide in.

Seconds turn into minutes,
Minutes into hours.
It starts to rain.
I hear the birds squawk for the last time,
And off they bolt.

I slowly scramble out of my shelter,
Ready to fight the wind and the rain.
Finally,
The storm settles and
I am able to reach the safety of my home.

Highly Commended

The Amazon
by Kristoffer Gray
Amberley State School, Amberley, Qld

The forest is so alive
Though very difficult to survive,
The monkeys swing from vine to vine
Then relax feeling fine,

Insects fly in peace
Until their predator makes their life cease,

Caterpillars start to metamorph
Butterflies seek nectar as their main source,

Birds nest in the trees
Along with the buzzing bees,

Piranhas swim eating all of the fish
As of course their main dish,

The river stretches out wide and far
Like a giant chocolate bar,

The trees tall and still going on to thrive
Holds many species that still live and survive,

The Amazon is a world of everything
There is never nothing there is always something.

Highly Commended

The Mystic Forest
by Jorvin Salazar
Burpengary State School , Burpengary, Qld  

As I enter the forest, a cool breeze makes the leaves dance gracefully,
Trees chatter to the wind,
Crickets sing harmoniously as they play games,
Tired soldiers carry supplies to their camp.

Water charges through the rapids,
As turkeys search for food,
And possums write messages on the trunks of trees with their claws,
The moist forest floor is comforting as it keeps me calm.

The forest is a peaceful place,
I need to dispose of my stress,
To rest and revive,
I wish I could live here for eternity.