Bereavement Poems for Children: A Tribute to Zayn and Amani

Bereavement Poems for Children Anthology

This is a post I never thought I'd be writing. As a teacher, it's the saddest thing I've ever done. I'm wrestling with every word as I type. I want to get this right.

Our school community lost a beautiful family in the tragic Air India flight crash a few weeks ago: Amani in my Nursery class and Zayn in Reception, who I taught last year, along with their loving parents.

The Impact of Loss

At school, we cried a lot. But beyond the tears, then what? I felt I needed to create a eulogy so the family are never forgotten; something with meaning and significance. Something that can help other children and families.

My idea was to create a memorial anthology of bereavement poems to help the school community and the family left behind, especially Aunty who would often pick the children up at home time. The same Aunty we went to visit the day after the tragedy who welcomed us into the family home and insisted on telling us how grateful she was for all we had done for Zayn and Amani. The sound of primal grief in that flat will never leave me, neither will the privilege of being able to share our love and sorrow.

The Power of Words

As a poet and teacher, I believe in the power of words and that poems can offer solace. Saying that, I knew in this situation words and poetry, however beautifully written, can never heal the pain. But what poetry can do is show how much people care.

Still unsure whether it was the correct thing to do, I contacted all of my poetry friends, explaining the tragic events. I invited them to share a poem to help our school community and, more importantly, to help the family and friends of Zayn and Amani.

I was overwhelmed by the response.

A Lasting Legacy

I had always planned to put any poems I received in a poetry memorial anthology for the school community, and when the time was right, I would give the book to the family along with keepsakes of what the children had made in class. As the quality, kindness, and depth of the words became apparent, I felt I had to offer this powerful collection of poetry as a resource for any other child, friend, or family who may have experienced loss.

Some are poems for young children, and some are for older children. Some were written as a response to the tragic news and others were poems already written. Some deal with bereavement directly, whilst others explore empathy, hope, and the momentary joys we experience in life. All of the poems offer glimmers of light.

I am so grateful to all the poets who sent me their words to use in this anthology, which I hope will be a lasting legacy to Zayn, Amani, Mum, and Dad: a legacy that in some small way can help other children and families come to terms with the pain of loss and the forever memories people plant in our minds.

Even in their deepest grief, the family told me just how much the anthology meant to them.

The Beautiful Zayn & Aman

Poems of Remembrance

Still

your name still remains on the register

your photo still smiles from your tray

your butterfly painting still hangs on the wall

your Runaway Pea still at play

your Lonely Beast story still hangs on some string

your freshly-formed letters still there

Your grin amongst grins is our screensaver still

your dreams all still dancing on air

your name still remains on the register

your photo still smiles from your tray

so in our way still, we are keeping you here

so still, you have not gone away

Mark Bird

Missing Pieces

Every class is a jigsaw

Each child is a piece

Every soul is a puzzle

Each giggle unique

Every class is a jigsaw

A perfect design

Who by chance fit together

For one year in time

Sometimes jigsaws lose pieces

But spaces hold weight

For the pieces remaining

Will make that lost shape

So that hole in the jigsaw

That space where you shone

We will fill in with memories

And see you live on

Mark Bird

The Softest Fall in the World

tulips never fade away

when it's time to say goodbye—

never get withered leaves

crinkled brown petals or

soggy stems

tulips don't shrivel up

lose their colours

droop their heads and go limp

over the edge of the vase

no

at the end tulips

just keep sweet-talking—

each flower opening

ever wide ever big

stretching as far as it can

until it colour-gleams so thin

so see-right-through-other-worldly

that when it's finally that time to

let go of life—

petals simply drift off in the

softest fall in the world

and me

well

I can't help but wonder

as I hug my soft

very best friend of a

very old dog named Spot

when it's his turn to say goodbye

let go of life—

will he keep sweet-talking

until he drifts off

I think maybe he will—

but I know for sure

whatever happens

wherever he goes

he will always be right here

sweet-talking softly

inside me

Zaro Weil

Tissue

We're tissue paper in the wind

Row boats in raging seas

Frail cobwebs hung on cornerstones

Brown leaves on autumn trees

We're snowflakes in a swirling storm

We're lonely number ones

We're rabbits caught in bright headlights

Soft ice cream in hot sun

Neal Zetter

The Empty Chair

In our classroom there’s a space

Where once there was a friendly face

Nothing now can take her place

Most of all I miss her laugh

Where her tray was there’s a gap

And on the wall her photograph

Watches as we learn and play

As if it was a normal day

Though there are things we’d like to say

We all bring gifts - a shell, a feather,

A special stone, a secret letter,

A promise we will not forget her.

Carole Bromley

Song (for Amani & Zayn)

There is a song that we can sing

and stories we can tell

of flowers, trees and butterflies,

and friends we love so well.

The notes and words we sing and say

will float and swirl through air

to reach our friends and all we love

and let them know we care.

It’s ok to feel lost, to cry,

to feel a little sad.

At home or school, you’re not alone

in times both good or bad.

Just sing the song and share the words;

together we’ll get through

with hugs and smiles and so much more,

your friends are here for you.

Jonathan Humble

How to Remember

Sometimes people go away

Whether they want to go, or not

Whether we want them to, or not

Whoever it is, they cannot stay

There one day, but not the next

Even if it’s somebody you knew

It won’t make any sense to you

It never, ever makes any sense

But what you can do is keep them close

Inside your heart, inside your head

When you eat breakfast, when you’re in bed

Think of the things you liked the most

Their face, their eyes, their funny quirks

The way they hugged, the way they smiled

And the things they said…and in a while

It might sound silly, but it really works

Andrea Shavick

Journeys

At first we’ll feel sad when recalling

Those we have loved and have lost,

For each of us life is a journey

And loss a grim bridge to be crossed.

But loved ones we've lost aren’t forgotten

Or friends with whom we’ve walked the miles

And, in time, those we've lost we’ll remember

Not only with love but with smiles.

Philip Waddell

Advice

Count the days it takes a conker to ripen

Count the rings on a tree

Count raisins in your porridge with your tongue

Count the clouds

Count the smiles around the table

Count bees, count thunderclaps, count the stars

Always count the stars

Attie Lime

Inside A Spiky Shell (for Zayn and Amani)

We found a conker,

my sister and me.

It was the most beautiful thing we had ever seen

and it was our secret.

No-one else in the whole world had seen it, but us

It was our treasure!

But we couldn’t make it stay shiny.

So my sister said, Let’s make it last forever!

We found a place in Grandad’s garden

and hid it

with a blanket of earth and a pillow of moss.

We danced and sang, We won’t forget you, beautiful thing!

That’s when I was a boy.

Grandad’s house and garden has long gone.

There is a clinic here now

where I sit on a bench, resting my heart.

The sun is shining,

too much for an old man.

But I am safe,

in the shade of our conker tree.

Its great green hands wave from above

and I smile back.

The flower-candles dance on its branches,

flickering with scent and life,

and I know,

as I always have,

that our treasure will last forever.

Rachel Burrows

The Art of Being Happy

When I want to be happy

I paint a rainbow in the sky,

I gift the day strokes of green

then spray some blues up high.

I scramble to the edge of red

skip some yellow on my feet,

I hold some orange in my hand

warm indigo as it sleeps.

Violet floats to dance along

we all begin to sing,

a happy painting fills the air

now where will you begin?

Julie Stevens

Some things make us happy,

And some things make us sad.

We’re very sad to lose our friends

Who were the best we had.

We always will remember them

And all the joy they brought,

And so they’ll always be with us

Forever in our thoughts.

Colin West

Comforting to Know

It’s comforting to know

that the sky will never fall,

the sun will always shine,

the breeze will always blow,

that birds will always sing,

that sunshine follows rain,

that fires will always glow.

It’s comforting to know

that day will follow night,

the moon will always rise,

that rivers will always flow,

that stars will fill our skies,

that flowers will always bloom,

that winter brings the snow.

It’s comforting to know

that injustice will still be fought,

that voices will still be heard,

the world will still revolve,

problems will still be solved.

And amidst life’s daily strife,

while troubles come and go,

all will remain as it should.

Brian Moses

Flowers for You (For Amani and Zayn)

There’s a heart-shaped hole

in my flower bed.

So, I plant the seeds

of memories from my head.

I sprinkle raindrops,

giant daisies grow,

their golden hearts

shine summer sun glow.

The butterflies flutter

and lend me their wings.

The robin visits,

soft silvery sings,

Friendship and smiles,

moon petals bright,

flowers for you,

shining your light.

Linda Middleton

Finding You

In the colours of a rainbow,

in the sparkling of a stream,

the dancing of a dragonfly,

the chasing of a dream,

you are here.

In the whispers of a seashell,

in the soaring of a bird,

the fondness of a friendship,

the kindness of a word,

you are here.

In the sweetness of a smile,

in the promise of a puddle,

the magic of a fairytale,

the comfort of a cuddle,

you are here,

you are here,

you are here.

Rebecca Loveday

Little Not Little

The liver spot on your grandma’s hand

A wave, a smile, a helping hand.

A lemon pip, an apple seed

Your last 5p for Children in Need.

A silver earring, a gold nose stud

Telling your sister their drawing’s good.

The bedside lamp’s on-off switch

Scratching a back to relieve an itch.

A comma, a full stop, an exclamation mark

Holding hands with your friend when you walk in the park.

Little things you see and little things you do

Little things can be big things – just like you.

Rob Walton

Finding Zayn’s and Amani’s Smiles

You’ve said your goodbyes

to two children with smiles

that would light up their faces and crinkle their eyes

and fill up your sails and brighten your skies.

And you feel that forever your sails will be still

and your skies will have nothing but clouds.

But what if those kids left behind their bright smiles

as tucked-away gifts that they knew you would find?

One day you will catch a glimpse of their grins

in a sparkling stream or the flash of a fin,

in a sprinkling of snow in a park where dreams grow,

or the skipping of feet on a street where friends meet

and you’ll stop in surprise, seeing beauty again

and their smiles will crinkle your eyes.

Jennifer Thomas

Heaven

I just don't get it

Mum tells me that it's up in the sky

Although...

I can't find it on any map

I can't find it when I search Dad's car's GPS

I can't find it even when stargazing through my new telescope

But some folk say it's all around

And if they can see it then why can't I?

Especially as I know lots of people living there

Grandad Bob

Nanny T

Aunties Em and Debs

Mr Sharma from two doors down

Mrs Achebe who used to serve our school dinners

And, apparently, Rocky, my mate Tilly's pet salamander

I should imagine it's a pretty crowded place!

When a person goes to heaven

Everyone cries and is very upset

Yet it's supposed to be a perfect, peaceful, paradise

So is that why my many friends and relations who have gone to heaven

Never come back?

Heaven

I just don't get it

Neal Zetter

A Feather from an Angel

Anton’s box of treasures held

a silver key and a glassy stone,

a figurine made of polished bone

and a feather from an angel.

The figurine was from Borneo,

the stone from France or Italy,

the silver key was a mystery

but the feather came from an angel.

We might have believed him if he’d said

the feather fell from a bleached white crow

but he always replied, “It’s an angel’s, I know,

a feather from an angel.”

We might have believed him if he’d said,

“An albatross let the feather fall,”

But he had no doubt, no doubt at all,

his feather came from an angel.

“I thought I’d dreamt him one night,” he’d say,

“But in the morning I knew he’d been there;

he left a feather on my bedside chair,

a feather from an angel.”

And it seems that all my life I’ve looked

for that sort of belief that nothing could shift,

something simple yet precious as Anton’s gift,

a feather from an angel.

Brian Moses

For Dr Amani

There’s an empty peg in our cloakroom,

There’s an empty space in our line,

There’s an empty place on our carpet

Where your knee used to brush against mine.

And, somehow, our classroom felt smaller

From the moment we heard that you’d gone,

For it seemed that the colours stopped shining

And the sunlight itself had moved on.

We know that we’ll never forget you,

We’ll miss you in each game we play,

But you’re here in the sound of our laughter

And you’ll be in our hearts every day.

J H Rice

Clara Elizabeth Caroline 1906–1999

Your voice was an iced fruit apple

slice to us, Shared while seated outside every summer, Though you never

travelled in any season. Your laugh was a comedy catchphrase.

You were the pink Marks & Spencer meringue nests, Crystal-cut glasses of

cherryade, and amethyst birthstones on bracelets. You were the bag, laden with photographs, postcards, Prayers, and magazine tips for houses.

The school I confided in you about, And the certificate I earned from there — You

were the imagining of it framed on hospital walls.

You were the marble-handled, soft-bristled hairbrush, The Revlon make-up, the

hot drinks before bedtime, Silky blouses, blazers, and slippers.

You were the grandma we prayed for a miracle for, As we willed you to get well.

Now you are the neat, grassy path I know by heart And tread with utmost care;

The earrings of your sister we must arrange to repair, The door ajar at a certain

moment, The good luck wish, the tiniest horseshoe, And rosary beads we last left

you with.

Kay Medway

(Poem after 'John' by Maggie O'Dwyer)

My Friend Julie

I think a lot about Julie.

At first I thought about her and cried –

I was so sad when she died.

But that was a while ago

and now when I think of her

I remember her and smile.

I smile at how she loved to dress up

in brightly coloured clothes

how she had a naughty sense of humour

how she liked a good argument

and always wanted to be the winner

how she painted beautiful things

and how she could make words sing

how she loved flowers and loved

thinking about the world and

what it meant to be alive.

I think about what a good friend she was to me.

I still think a lot about Julie

but now my thoughts fill me with happiness

that I knew her and she was my friend.

Barbara Bleiman

Letter Garden

Breathe out some words

hold them in your hands,

give them to a windy day

and watch where they land.

Bury them now they rest

as deep as you can go,

water them with happy thoughts

in time they’re sure to grow.

Julie Stevens

Song Request

There’s a bird in our tree,

singing a fine tune with me,

we chirp and tweet in our nests.

It won’t be long,

before we finish this song,

and hear what the sky would like next.

Julie Stevens

Amani and Zayn

We remember your laughs and smiles

We remember you looking after us

We remember you being our good friends

When we play, we will laugh and smile

We will look after each other

We will be the best friends we can be

Fiona Halliday

We Remember

Some people are quiet,

With tears in their eyes,

They look at the clouds

And the blue, open skies.

They hold little flowers

And stand very still,

Their hearts are full of love

That nothing can fill.

They miss someone special,

Who flew far away—

A star in the sky

Who couldn’t stay.

So every June morning,

They come with care,

To whisper soft wishes

Into the air.

They smile through their tears,

They sing and they know,

They remember with love

In a beautiful way.

Katy Beighton

Things That Happen

Things that happen

And things can be bad,

The world it seems

Is making folk mad

Or simply worn

And with feelings strong

Making one feel

Things are so wrong.

Yet the world continues

And friends will support

And be thinking of you

To provide what they ought.

Always important to utter

Whatever you say -

Others just to listen

And don’t go away.

Trevor Millum

Bad News

Mum’s been quiet

So has Dad

Grandma says

It’s OK to feel sad

I’m still thinking

About what to do

Grandma says

that’s OK, too

Attie Lime

Resilience

Some days you score your fill of goals

And some the pitch is full of holes

A heavy heart weighs strong folks down

But lift your head, and bear your crown

We can’t be happy all the time

Each summit takes a lengthy climb

If I could give you just one gift

Then it would be this mindset shift:

A falling ball can still bounce back

A light shines through the smallest crack

Sarah Ziman

LetterBox Magic

Why not paint your pictures on a postcard?

Paint your pictures outside as the primrose flower petals fall and form fairy tale fashions for emerald jewelled wings, yellow sunbeam scarves, and pink petal pockets.

You can pencil bright colour bursts of all the magic you can share within every corner of your postcard and in every empty and blank space.

Plant wild and red poppy seeds on the paper pages and post them in parcels sealed with the stripes of rainbow strings.

Post your poems in the red post box at the end of your meadow garden.

And know your sunshine and star shapes, chirping birdsong, and kind kings will tinkle through a letterbox.

With summer evening spells sent in envelopes and warm winter jewelled wools weaving warmth on the doorstep.

There will be a siren of songs and a mermaid's magic stare to let someone know how very much you will share your every Spring and Summer Day.

It all chases away loneliness and boredom, and it is a magic spell made with sky and art with love and care all by you.

Kay Medway

Postcard to the Sun

I drew a picture

on a postcard

of the Sun and me.

And I sent it in the mail

by Starlight Delivery.

I hope the Sun knows

I’m thinking of her.

Even when she’s hidden

behind the dark clouds,

I will look up high

and know she’s still there,

my friend in the sky.

Josie De Falco

Empathy

I know what you know

I hear what you hear

I sense what you sense

I fear what you fear

I taste what you taste

I smell what you smell

The memories you have

I have them as well

I walk in your steps

I stand in your shoes

I get what you say

Tuned into your views

I laugh when you laugh

I'm sad when you're sad

A genuine friend

The closest you've had

I think what you think

I see what you see

I feel what you feel

I am Empathy

Neal Zetter

Swapping Shoes

I wore your shoes

and walked a mile

They didn’t fit

They weren’t my style

They hurt a bit

but made me smile

and when I’d worn them

for a while

I smelt your fear

I touched your dreams

I felt your hope

I heard your screams

We swapped our shoes

One day in time

I found your way

and you found mine

Mark Bird

Hey Tiger!

Hey parrot!

Lend me those wings,

just for today I promise,

sit still and squawk

as I swoop and soar,

chasing the air around me.

Hey zebra!

Lend me those hooves,

just for today I promise,

sit down and observe

as I gallop and leap,

faster than anything nearby.

Hey tiger!

Lend me those paws,

just for today I promise,

lie there and watch

as I sprint and dash,

racing the wind beside me.

Hey animals!

Lend me your skills,

just for today I promise,

rest and relax

as I dart and dive,

my day of being you has arrived.

Julie Stevens

Where Do I Go Now?

Where do I go now?

I get lost every day

I wish my mum was with me

to help me find the way

Where do I go now?

I’ve been lost for a while

Right from the second Mum left

The day I lost my smile

Where do I go now?

We knew she couldn’t stay

My dad said Mum's a hero

who'd want me to be brave

Where do I go now?

I scrunch my eyes so tight

The only way to see her

but I'm blinded by the light

Where do I go now?

I see the flowers grow

and hear her watch still ticking

They obviously don’t know

Where do I go now?

The tears begin to well

but then I hear Mum calling

The room fills with her smell

I never ever left you

I never ever will

In everything surrounding you

See I’m with you still

In the clouds that float by

In the tears that fall

In your young and thumping heart

In your bouncing ball

In the songs we sang once

In the songs of birds

In the rising summer sun

In wind whispered words

I am with you always

Me and you as one

Don't ever wonder where to go

Go on my love

Go on ...

Mark Bird

CAPTAIN S’LOG BOLDLY GOES

One night about a year ago

a spaceship zig-zagged like a mouse

down from the stars towards the Earth

until it reached my Grandpa’s house

An alien then materialised

right there, on Grandpa’s old settee

‘Hello,’ said Grandpa. ‘Who are you,

and would you like a cup of tea?’

The alien captain’s name was S’log.

He and my Grandpa talked all night.

They told each other many tales

by star-shine, and by candlelight.

At long last, Captain Slog said, ‘Bye,’

for it was time to boldly go,

but just before he left, he winked…

‘Now when you’re ready, let me know.’

Last Monday, Mummy cried all day

when Grandpa vanished without trace.

And me? I’m happy Grandpa’s gone…

He’ll love exploring outer space.

Andrea Shavick

Dancing Butterflies

Sometimes I’m feeling really glum

A feeling deep inside my tum.

I spy a wriggly string of green

A caterpillar lights the scene.

Sometimes I feel a sense of loss

I look inside the grassy moss.

A violet peeps its head above

Its petals shine with lots of love.

Sometimes I’m feeling really sad

I tell myself things aren’t too bad.

I watch the dancing butterflies

And they ignite sparks in my eyes.

Sometimes it seems we all feel grief

And it’s so hard to find relief.

But nature lends a gentle hand

And brings us joy we hadn’t planned.

Kathryn Beevor

A Travelling Poem

Let a poem fly.

Fill it up with words of love

And send it to the sky.

Let a poem sail.

In among the ocean waves

Dancing with a whale.

Let a poem run

To chase the wind and catch a dream.

Fill it up with fun.

Set a poem free.

To find its way around the world

For everyone to see!

Val Harris

Stars

A far off star 

still lights the sky

even if the star has gone

like memories

of ones we love

they shine on and on

Liz Brownlee

Amani and Zayn by Carmella de Keyser

Forever in our hearts