Cathy Cassidy

Dear Raynebowe,
Seriously cool name, even though I know that you hate it. I guess that I should have known that you weren’t one of those girls to walk in and out of my life, like real rainbows do. A glimmer of colour and a dash of glitter and they’re gone. But not you.
I’m glad that you stayed.
How could I forget that summer? Camping on the beach, flames flickering dangerously close to the tent, dancing around, your wild red hair swinging around, shining in the moonlight, climbing trees and eating apples covered in thick toffee and sugar?
I don’t want to think about after summer, school ties, bad weather, football in the rain. Being told off for yet another piercing that I got.
I suppose that’s why I’m writing, you’re like a release from the boring timetable, a whisper of rebellion from a straight-laced life. You’re different from the girls in my school, you’re natural, carefree.
I guess that’s why I love you.
And for a fourteen year old boy?
I don’t often say ‘I love you’ to many people.
And so far, you’re the first.
Love Jack xxx

by Philippa Spottiswoode, age 15

To Whom It May Concern,
Think hard before you decide to read this. A wise person would put
the paper down and forget everything, but somehow, whoever you are,
you won’t. You’re curious now. Man’s biggest weakness, that. But
don’t say I didn’t warn you.
It was night when Cynthia died. She’d been walking through the
school woods when whatever it was had attacked. The police suspected
an animal, but there was no sign of a struggle. She seemed to have
literally died of fright, as the terrified expression on her face
indicated. What the police did not know was that Sophie, who had
found Cynthia’s body, had kept a piece of paper clutched in the
girl’s hand. Sophie was also the only one who seemed to know how
Cynthia had died…

by Miriam Chappell, age 14

Hello…
Wow, I don’t do this too often. Well never really, but I guess I’d
better.
I have a problem. A big problem. Maybe it’s not big to the whole
world, but it’s big to me.
You see, I think I’m anorexic.
Wow. It was so hard to write that. A simple sentence, 4 words. 4
words that have changed my life.
I use to be happy. Very happy. I use to smile as the sun warmed my
back, I use to laugh in the wind. Now all I can think of i seeing the
ribs poke out of my back, and to concentrate on not smiling. If I
smile my cheeks look fat and podgy. I don’t like my cheeks being fat
and podgy. I don’t care if my jeans are falling down, even though
they’re children size 9-10 years.
I’ve been through so much these past months. I’ve been poked and
prodded, given medication. It has not worked. I still want to be
thin, and nothing will stop me.
That’s why I need you. I need you so much. People have told me of the
miracles you perform, of the healing.
Please, Jesus, help me…

by Shannon Quinn, age 14

Dear Mum,

I don’t really know how to write this, Lily says I should do it as if you are right in front of me so that’s what I’m going to do. Um, well, hi mum. I guess you are wondering where I am; and why you’re going to find this letter in my bed instead of me. I’m still trying to figure that out my self. The thing is, I’m not who you think I am. I’m not that girl which had ribbon laced in her plaits when she was five years old. I’m not that care free eight year old in your pictures, smiling a toothy grin. I’m not that girl who got perfect grades and never missed one piano lesson. I’ve changed…

by Sophia Papadopoulis, age 14

“Dear Santa,

For Christmas I want my daddy back…”

I put down my pencil. That’s all I’m going to ask for this year. If I ask for much more, I might not get what I wish for. If Santa is magic, maybe he can do this… for me.

by Kirsty Reaich, age 13

No one cares about me apart from you so that is why I’m sorry, I am truly going to miss you. Every night, every day until it goes dark. Remember when you took me to that carnival when I was 7, and I told I wanted to be a clown when I’m older. Because everyone would laugh at me, well it’s like that but there all laughing at me for the wrong reasons. I loved that day, I wish life could be like that all the time but its not. I wanted to say goodbye to you but I can’t you’ll make me change my mind make me stay. I’ve chosen my path and by the time you’ve read this letter I’ll be gone…

by Amy Perry, age 13

Dear Boy with Blue Backpack,
I know it must be pretty weird getting a letter from someone you don’t know the name of. Actually, I’ve never actually written one of these things before. They’re strange really. All the ones I got just said all this stuff about perfect attendance at school. Not that I’m a school-obsessed weirdo or something. I’m just not exactly the dumbest person in school. But then again, I’m not exactly the cleverest person in the world either….

by Francesca, age 12

Dear Kiana,
I miss you sooo much. Just writing your name brings a tear to my eyes. Since you moved to California, things here just aren’t the same. The awkward silences aren’t made easier with you cracking a joke. The fallouts aren’t mended without you there to mend them. And the atmosphere has a scary silence to it. California isn’t where you belong; you belong here, with us. All these questions are whizzing around my brain. Why did you go? Didn’t you like it here? Why couldn’t you have stayed with me, like BFF’s should?

by Kirsty Logan, age 10

I am writing to tell you that I have left home. I’ve gone to live with my girlfriend Christina. You wouldn’t approve. She’s 22 and she’s pregnant with my baby. We live on the side of the road in a caravan. We have wild parties every night until 2 in the morning. I’d invite you over but we have to keep on moving, as we don’t want the police to find us. No, you certainly wouldn’t approve.
Oh… I have left my school report on the desk.
Goodbye, for the last time.
Your ex-son, Joe

PS. None of the above is true. I’m at my mate Chris’s house.This just goes to show you, that there are much WORSE things than School reports! I’ll be back when you’ve calmed down

by Kim Martin, age 12

Dear The People of The World,

Beginning from the start,
this letter is a stand
for the world!
This is pure and
straight from the heart.
This true story
is written to help you see the
Earth for all it’s glory.

This is a long
story to tell.
So listen up
and listen well.
What’s wrong
with the world today?
People are corrupted,
being led astray.

The hate.
All the people who have cried;
because they’re hated.
But we’re all the same inside.
It’s not up for debate.
People need to halt
the violence, the crime.
It’s the people’s fault.

The War.
It’s pointless killing.
You don’t need to fight!
Why are people so willing?
Open the door!
Witness the wider picture
of the world;
but it’s not a permanent fixture.

It’s dying.
We’re killing it with our cars and planes.
Help the environment!
Takes buses or trains.
We’re not trying!
People need to see
that we’re part of the problem.
The world needs you and me.

Killing.
People murdering another.
Don’t kill ‘cos you’re angry!
What happened to ‘love thy brother’?
Blood is spilling.
On the ground, in the sky.
When the rich wage war
it’s the poor who die.

So open your eyes.
Don’t kid yourself it’s nothing to do
with your life. Listen!
The world needs you.
All of you: realise!
You can make that small
difference.
Just give it your all.

I’ll tell you what’s wrong
with our world today.
People don’t know which path to take.
People need to be shown the right way.
Well, it’s gone.
There’s no love in this world anymore!
It’s been replaced with anger,
hatred and war.

What’s wrong
with the world today?
Next time you’re asked that
what will you say?
Be strong.
Don’t be afraid to speak!
Show them the problems.
Stand up for the weak.

From Emma
xxx

by Emma Stray, age 13

Dear Love,
Let me enjoy the moments
When my heart beats fast
When I feel warm inside
When I forever want you to last

Dear Fear,
Let me live my life
Nothing to hold me back,
Nothing to stop me from laughing,
Nothing to knock me off track

Dear Anger,
Let me control you
Don’t build up, gradually, inside,
Don’t let me speak my bitter words,
Don’t make me ashamed when I have cried

Dear Sadness,
Let me take you in small doses
Don’t let me be too proud to cry,
Never let me bottle you up,
Don’t let me hold back a sigh

Dear Happiness,
Let me have you
When a rainbow arches across the sky,
When the sun shines brightly,
When I feel like I could fly

by Laura Maw, age 13

Dear Miss stranger,

I watch the sun set,
On this small island with only a few palm trees,

All this water is surrounding me,

Im waiting for some one to come rescue me,
but right now it just me the sun and the sea.

you are my only hope,
Please come rescue me i dont think i can cope.

Sure the pretty butterflies are cool,
and i guess the sea is like one big pool.

the sunset is nice,
but….there is no one to give me advice.

Look, if your reading this,
please come after me,
please find me out at sea.

by Abbie Heath, age 10

Dear Mum, Cloud 9,
Heaven

I don’t know what heaven is,
But It’s a place I can’t forgive,
It’s not a place that makes me happy,
Because they took you away from me.
I think about you every night,
Crying by my bedside light.
I’m told things will be as right as the rain,
But nothing can ever ease the pain.
They say I must learn to forget,
But I can’t pretend we’ve never met.
I won’t betray your memory,
Not the way you did to me.
You left me when I needed you,
But I love you, I forgive you, I really do.
You will always be in my heart,
And in that way, we’ll never part.
So thank you for all that you’ve done for me,
And I’ve realised there’s something I have to see.
I must say good-bye forever,
But I will always cherish the moments we spent together.
I will never know what heaven is,
But it’s a place I can’t forgive.
They took you away from me,
But as long as I’m living, In my heart you’ll be.

by Ciara Flint, age 12

Dear Mum,

Butter-milk clouds shade the treetops
Blackbirds make a lining in the sky
Leaves rustle as the wind blows
Being one with the wind
Silence
As the leaves break
And fall
Butter-milk clouds turn chalk pink
Smudged along the sky
Such a beautiful sight
On this one moonlit night

You were my beautiful sight
My hero, my mother
You were everything to me
And you threw me away
Lost me
Hurt me
I was alone and cold
And you just didn’t care
I still remember that poem you told me
About those butter-milk clouds
How could you have changed so much?
I wonder…
Did you even love me at all?

by Sian Gilbert, age 13

Dear Shyma,
No matter what life throws our way,
No matter what people do to pull us apart,
No matter how different we are,
No matter how many times we see each other,
No matter how many other friends we have,
No matter how old we grow,
No matter how many fights we have,
No matter if we’re dead or alive,
there will always be a bond connecting us making us together, no matter how far away we really are from each other.
Love,
Your BFFL (which stands for best friend for life)4 eva, your friend who knew you ssince you were born, your stick that you can lean on, your sister!

by Nadia, age 12

Dear Anonymous Stranger,

You seemed like you were in danger,
You used to linger around the school,
You were teased for not being cool.
You hung around after Art,
You were sniggered at for being smart.
You were taunted for being unique,
You were still called a geek.

But in you I saw something no one else did,
But being different was something the others forbid.
There’s no need to hide,
I understand why you cried.
I am sorry for taking part,
In breaking your heart.
I’ve looked at it in another light,
You actually seem to be alright.

I regret teasing you,
I seriously do.
The others can’t see why,
You cry and cry.
I never got to even know your name,
I’m the one you should blame.
I apologize so much,
Please get back in touch.

Yours sincerely,
The Bully

by Chloe Ratcliffe, age 12

dear dad…
i hate you

dear mum…
i’m sorry

dear jane
i’ll miss you

and owen…
you never knew.

by Kirsty, age 12

Dear Mr Teacher,
I can not come to school
cause spelling is a bore and maths is to!

Dear mrs p.e instructer,
i can not do p.e
cause my multicompound fracture
so in rounders i can not be the catcher!

Dear Mrs Art teacher,
I can not paint or draw
cause from from my cold last week
i am still admist the thaw!

Dear Mr Head,
i will not be cheeky
i will not be cheeky
i will not be cheeky
i will not be cheeky

by Rosaline McNiff, age 11

My name is Jessie,
My age is ten,
I’m writing to you
because of Ben.
Ben is your guy,
Your man,
Your fella,
He loves you loads
For ever and ever.
That’s what you think
Your thoughts are wrong
How’ve you been
Together for so long?
You might know her
She’s in your form
Her name is Sarah
Sarah Bourne.
See, Ben and her
They hang about
But you carry on
Without a doubt
That he likes her
and she likes him
Your chances with Ben
May be slim.
Can’t you see he’s cheating on you???

From Jessie.

by Millie Stokes, age 10

Dear Friend,
Are you there?
sometimes i can tell
your right beside me,
other times i’m not so sure.
i can feel so alone, lost, empty.
I can feel like im under a big black cloud,
with the rain pouring down,
and i can’t reach anyone.
then the clouds clear and
the light comes shining through,
and i can reach you. I am free.
I can see you were always there,
but i was too lost to see it.
You come in all shapes and sizes,
boys and girls, young and old,
smart or dim or funny or shy
or just plain different.
I love all your different shapes.
my favourite ones are the ones
that make me laugh,giggle and smile!
I want you to say thank you for all the times
your there for me,
for when you made me laugh or smile,
for when you cheered me on,
or stuck up for me. thank you.
love, amy-claire xxx

by Amy-Claire Davies, age 13