Fireworks Poetry Competition 2008

Children stand expectant
Excited and impatient
The faces change
Dazled and bewildered
A confused rainbow sat in the sky
Though once tranquil and unruffled
Then for a brief moment the sky turned sinister
bleak and murky
The silence distilled
An eruption of colour
A mental picture stored
And a picture to reminisce with until next year.

bethan (Unverified), 05/11/08

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because colours of catherine wheel,
the heat or bonfire you will feel,
fireworks exploding in the sky,
calm and relaxed you will lie,
as people throw up the fire,
spectacular visions soar up higher,
but when the night is finally done,
you have next year to continue the fun

shaimaa (Unverified), 05/11/08

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BONFIRE NIGHT SHOULD GO WITH A BANG
FOOD, HOTDOGS AND FIREWORKS
DON'T FORGET TO BRING THE GANG
AND WE SHOULD ALL BE GETTING SOME PERKS.

TUFFREY (DI User), 05/11/08

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There once was a man known as Guido
Who committed a very bad deedo
But his plan didn’t bang
Fallen guy had to hang
Cos he couldn’t quit with enough speedo

Glitzy Blitz (Unverified), 04/11/08

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Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
Had Guy Fawkes succeeded
The tip-off not heeded
He would have blown-up
The whole lot!

Deep in Westminster’s cellars
Guy and some other fellas
Stashed gunpowder set to go “bang!”
Instant death it would bring
To the Protestant King
When the Catholics exploded the gang!

But succeed they did not
Someone spoke of the plot
And Guy and his cronies were caught
They paid with their lives
The conspirators died
And the dastardly scheme came to naught.

Still Fawkes we remember
Each fifth of November
And call to mind his grisly plan
We stack a bonfire
Build it higher and higher
Topped off with a “guy” of the man!

Judith Davies (DI Reviewer), 04/11/08

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November the fifth has come and gone,
But my thoughts they still do linger,
I held a banger in my hand,
Has anyone seen my finger!

Martin (Unverified), 04/11/08

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There's a fire raging between my legs,
I need to find a hydrant
It's like a volcano, but no longer dormant,
Between two overheating powder kegs

I must find something to connect to my hose
I need to to extinguish this conflagration
My pants aren't destined for contumulation
My inferno needs quenching - and it jolly well shows.

I'm normally straight-laced, but now I'm turning:
I'd do anything to prevent the charring.
I'll drop 'em right now, leave kids with mental scarring,
I'll do anything to stop the burning.

OK, it's not big - it's not even a rocket.
But I still regret putting that sparkler in my pocket.

Inyu Endo. (Unverified), 04/11/08

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With the sky all alight,
and the stars out in sight,
you know the time's right,
for Bonfire night!

The children all sit,
while their sparklers are lit,
to see someone reveal,
the huge catherine wheel.

It whizzes and spins,
and everyone grins,
as there's no better sight,
than bonfire night!

The bonfire burns,
while people take turns,
to warm their cold fingers,
while the fire still lingers.

Several loud bangs,
there in the sky hangs,
a bouquet of gold,
for all to behold!

The best saved til last,
so grand, loud and fast,
the sky never so bright,
as on Bonfire night!

EmzLF (Unverified), 04/11/08

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Whizz, bang, sizzle, sizzle, whiiiii
The sky’s full of colours just for me
It’s like birthdays, Christmas and Easter in one
How is it possible to have so much fun!

Lulu (Unverified), 03/11/08

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it's time again for Guy Fawkes' night,
for human pleasure and canine fright.
fireworks are discriminatory:
silence oughtta be mandatory.

grumpy old sod (Unverified), 03/11/08

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B-itterly cold, on November the fifth...
O-n Firework's Night, we enjoy ourselves. With,
N-aughty 'Guy Fawkes' up in flames. We can,
F-eel the heat of the bonfire on our faces. Then,
I-n white sparks, I write my name in the dark... And,
R-emember to put the dead sparkler in the water bucket for safety. Whilst,
E-veryone is wrapped up, in gloves and scarves against the night's chill.

N-ot wanting the fun to end.
I-n awe watching the fireworks up high,
G-ot to be careful, don't want to get lost.
H-ot chocolate and toffee apples, delicious treats. Then,
T-ime to go home, until next year we'll meet...

Ellie (Unverified), 03/11/08

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Heading out,
Into the cold,
On a chilling, frosty night,
I'm excited about the feeling,
Of all the things that might!
A sense of possibility,
A sense of calm and ease,
Of just enjoying the beauty,
Of lights bursting, over trees.

Sarah's star (Unverified), 02/11/08

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Autumn Fires

Crisp dusk falls;
Leaves drop, twigs snap.
Wood gathered; pyres stacked
Spirits wake, voices crack.

Sun sets, moon ignites.
Crowd thickens, breath rises.
Father’s glove holds daughter’s hand.
Bonfires light distant spires.

Bex (Unverified), 01/11/08

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As if the gloom of grass
held stars
flying up and aluminium-shook
into a wild blue yonder,
rockets of brief mercury,
catherine
wheels
overblown and pomaded,
casting
their jewellery of light.
The weary gasps of failed light
lopsided and blackened
remain only in the morning
blackened fenceposts
marking
our common ground.

Chones66 (DI User), 01/11/08

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He's moving excited
On. Bounding on
Arrival preceeded
By a glorious bomb

He's moving excited
All's right and not wrong
Celebration is seeded
Parliment stands on

Democracy could have been born
With the death of that building
We can't see it, the plot is too thick
But the system we obey is full of shit

Your chinking glasses
Your happy faces
Warm colours in the sky
Mark the death of a saviour

Ruskin English Student (Unverified), 01/11/08

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BANG BANG go the fireworks
Sizzling, fizzing up high
Roaring and whizzing in the sky
Then BOOM the explosion of colours
lights up the darkness of the night
So so bright
And so so light

Sparkle (Unverified), 30/10/08

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A stillness falls gently on the gathered.
A quietness seeps slowly through the crowd.
A huddling deeper into coats.
A wrapping tighter of scarves.
A silence.

Then the sky explodes.

Ruth M (Unverified), 30/10/08

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Streamers lighting up the night,
Treating our eyes with a beautiful sight.

Fizz, Bang, Wizz, Pop,
They keep on coming, never stop.

Screeching screamers pierce my ears,
People hear from far and near,

Fizz, Bang, Wizz, Pop,
They keep on coming, never stop.

Flaming colours bright and bold,
Winters night that is so cold.

Fizz, Bang, Wizz, Pop,
They keep on coming, never stop.

The last display before the fire,
last of the fire works climb higher and higher.

Finally they stop.
No Fizz, Bang, Wizz or Pop .

The match is struck,
A whoosh of heat,
My cold nose tingles,
And my heart skips a beat.

The fire dies down,
The end is near,
But a whisper goes around,
"Can't wait till next year !".

Fireworks rock my Socks. (Unverified), 30/10/08

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Fireworks, fireworks, booming and bright,
Flashing and banging in fountains of light.
A moment suspended -
But then it is ended,
And leaves us with afterglow printed on night.

Toot (Unverified), 30/10/08

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Fizz in the sky,
Rainbows everywhere,
Whizz over trees,
Rockets clap.
Sounds of firework night.

Miranda (age 4) (DI User), 29/10/08

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Fireworks are fun,
Loud bangs in the night,
make you jump and shout in fright.

Flashes of colour,
Green, blue and red,
and when you get home,
dream of them in bed.

Toby (age 11) (DI User), 29/10/08

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Bonfires roasting,
Barbeques toasting,
Rockets whizzing,
Sparklers fizzing,
Toffe apples sticking,
Children licking.

The flashes of stars light up your heads and when you get home you dream in your beds.

Oscar (age 7) (Unverified), 29/10/08

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Raining silver,
Streaks of gold,
Pearls of amber,
Rubies bold.

Packed into the whizzing shells,
Emerald embers,
Booming bells.

Racing skywards blazing bold,
Unto the heavens,
Stars unfold.

Dan (DI User), 29/10/08

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Fireworks everywhere.
I love them when they're up high.
Roaring, crackling in the sky.
Everyone watches them go.
What a show!
Oooh go the crowd as one bursts in the sky.
Right up in the sky go the fireworks.
Kids are having fun.
Stars are everywhere.

Lana age 7 (Unverified), 29/10/08

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Fireworks go bang in the sky
When darkness is nigh

Fireworks are very colourful
And they look beautiful

They gleam and beam
Like you're in a fantasy dream

Everyone's having fun
No-one's unhappy not one

Now the night has come to an end
Is there a text messege you want to send?

kian, 10 (Unverified), 29/10/08

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Breath clouds the air, Darkness complete;
Silence is filled with the shuffling feet.
Shadowy shapes that jostle for space,
Waiting for something to light up the place.
Sudden quick movements - flashlights flick on,
Held by dark shadows that wander beyond.
Flashlights are quenched by the lights from a match;
Thrusted at tapers until they all catch,
Slow burning fuses that fizzle in red,
Snaking their way to more shadows ahead.
Showers of bright starlight burst forth from their lair,
And bang goes a candle that pops in the air.
Whoosh goes a rocket, then silence to dread;
is broken by canopied star showers o'er head.
Catherine wheels spinning their bright merry shower
As more light is building to fill up the hour.
Bright constellations that light up the park,
Banish the taste of the inky black dark.
Suck in the atmosphere, "Ooo" goes the crowd,
Hundreds of voices shouting aloud.
A sudden crescendo, where night is no more,
From a hundred bright rockets that overhead soar.
Smoke drifts towards us, clouds in the air,
Followed by night who returns to his lair.
Drift to the car park then quickly to bed,
"Thank goodness for firework displays", my Dad said.

TonyH (Unverified), 29/10/08

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Flowers of fire
In cold November nights bring
Warmth into your heart.

ashnazg (DI User), 29/10/08

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In London there was a young man, who wasn't a government fan,
So on the 5th November he gave a night to remember by causing an almighty bang,
The guards tho soon found poor Guy Fawkes, and stretched him until he did talk,
But within the hour, he was sent to the Tower never to be free again.
The poor man was hung while the goverment sung, they were free to make rules that we know.
But what would have been if he hadn't been seen, would we have the daft laws of today?
With money now tight, a recession in sight, a big bang might JUST have been right.

Rachel S 28/10/08 (Unverified), 28/10/08

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On the day of graduation, fireworks in the park,
Latin in the daylight, then glitter in the dark.
Four years of hard work over, another four to come,
What better way to celebrate than some flashing fireworks fun.

Grandma on her folded chair, staring way up high.
Entranced by light and shadow as it dances in the sky.
Brother on the telephone, chatting to his mate,
Nonchalantly watching as he plans another date.

Mum and Dad in fleeces, matching top to toe,
Mugs of tea and woolly hats, ready for the show.
They’re oohing and they’re aahing, along with all the crowd,
Nobody can hide their joy; they have to shout aloud.

Looking to the left you see a couple hand in hand,
Wrapped in gloves and scarves and hats, the warmest in the land.
Their second Oxford fireworks show, last year's was the best,
It’s when he said ‘I love you’, ‘love you too’ she then confessed.

And now they’ll come here every year, to share with all the town,
The whizzing and the popping and the sparkles falling down.
For it’s a very special evening, this noetic November night,
When one and all, from young to old, share in the delight.

singyourheartout (DI User), 27/10/08

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Never such cracking and banging,
such warding off of midnight demons
as we declare wars on the clouds;
galaxies born out of nothing
roar and fade.

Sperm-squiggling spears of flame become
broad upward waterfalls of feathered light,
great sizzling sideward Catherine Wheels,
jack-in-a-box galaxies exploding into black,
sea-urchin palaces built in space,
flopping coxcombs, sheet lightnings,
sperm-and-ovum bangs, slewing fireballs.

From strobing flares that freeze the world
tinsel universes tinkle down
synchonise-swimming to extinction
through fresh sky-probings,
through snaking-up Indian rope tricks,
wavering depth-charges reversed,
virgin night-flowers that vanish unmated,
or a dance of midnight sombreros
in mocking theatre of the absurd
amid space chrysanthemums turning
to evanescent asters that fall
like a skyful of feathers
spilled from an eiderdown.

kaneto (Unverified), 26/10/08

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Poetry is sometimes wanky, and sometimes so am I
but I want to win tickets to watch the night sky.

With popping and bursting of things of that nature
fireworks are cool so,
I write this without further conjecture.

Here's the bottom line, I want to win.
So I am going to kiss Daily Infos arse
from here on in.

Daily Info, how do I live in Oxford before I knew of you?
I've bought shoes, got jobs and movie times too.

I almost booked an unknown guest house,
but thanks to your review, I avoided getting the louse.

And your staff, your lovely staff!
I can't say enough about them really,
they are fit, they are sexy and as fiesty as a philly.

And Daily Info, you got me to do the one thing I hate,
write poetry! Egad, it must be fate!

You adorable information cherubs, I beg of you
give me some tickets, I wub you!

Jeannie (DI User), 25/10/08

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One autumn night after dinner
I was horribly waked from my snooze.
My hackles stood up -
I'm a poor young pup
Cos I've got the firework blues.

One autumn evening the wife and I
Had dined on potatoes and good pork pie
When a shuddering boom
And a shimmery light
Transported me back to another night
And all of a sudden I saw them again
(The ghostly legions of infantry men)
Fight and die on the banks of the Seine.
And every year
I'm hit by the fear
The unmanly tears you'll have to excuse;
Put it down to the firework blues.

We're probably not the only ones whose
Idea of fun isn't aahing and oohs:
Others among you would rather choose
To stay huddled in bed,
Blankets over the head.
Oh the pounding heart
As the night splits apart
And while you think it's fun and a bit of sport
Spare a thought for all those
With the firework blues.

Jen is a Reviewer (DI Staff), 23/10/08

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Fireworks are cool
As the sky’s like a pool
Of colours so bright
With shimmering lights
And sounds that go whiz
All the giggling kids
The hot dogs smell yummy
Ready for your tummy
And the bonfire’s bright
On this magical night
Such a cool sight

Lulu (Unverified), 23/10/08

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COLORUFUL SPARKS WITH LOTS OF SOUND,
WATCH AS THE CATHERINE WHEEL,
GOES ROUND AND ROUND.

COLOURFUL SPARKS UP IN THE SKY,
WATCH THE ROCKET,
BOY DOES IT FLY.

COLOURFUL SPARKS, WRITE YOUR NAME,
HAVING NO SPARKLERS,
WOULDN'T BE THE SAME.

COLOURFUL SPARKS, LOOK LEFT LOOK RIGHT,
LOTS OF FUN,
ON FIREWORKS NIGHT.

MANGO (Unverified), 21/10/08

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Bright colours in the sky
look at them up there so high.
Yellow blue green and red they are loud above your head.
Weeeee, Whizz, bang, boom that goes through every room.
The children laugh, smile and cry as the rockets hit the sky.
peace at last they're all gone, just the smell lingers on.
Never mind its not so bad another 12 months and they'll be back.

muffin (Unverified), 21/10/08

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Fireworks

Cold winter night
The Dark sky
Explodes with light

Cold winter night
Old earth remembers
The earliest right

Cold winter night
Exploding, erupting, dreadful sights
No eyes could see

Cold winter night
There is forever danger
Connected with that beginning

Pretty colours bursting
Zooming, whizzing,
Hiatus

Petals falling and blooming

Cold winter night
There is no complete forgetting
Echoes continue unrelenting

studentbunny (Unverified), 21/10/08

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thrilling thoughts as the explosions overhead spray into the milky autumn night

gunpowder and candyfloss as if there wasn't a more exciting smell then that

crackle pop pip pip bang whiz slam the fire leaps higher the guy starts to burn

flower (Unverified), 20/10/08

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Fire works are lots of fun but here's some tips for everyone:
Don't put fireworks in your pockets, underpants weren't made for rockets!
Don't go back once a fuse is lit,
unless you don't mind losing bits (of yourself)!
Keep your animals inside,
They get scared and need to hide!
Be safe, have fun and don't forget: the Round table fireworks, are the best yet!

Deborah Claire (Unverified), 20/10/08

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Remember remember the 5th November when sparks begin to fly
The colours of the rainbow will light up the sky
People come from far and wide to Oxford's South Park
To see the biggest firework show that happens in the dark

The cold will try and get you and there’ll probably be a queue
But it’s worth waiting for to get the perfect view
While waiting with anticipation the kids can be heard above the din
Mum what are we waiting for? When’s it going to begin?

With oohs & aahs and sounds of glee
The show is magic for all to see
The rockets going bang and Catherine wheels a turning
The bonfire and that guy on top will soon be set burning

For extra fun and with time to spare
You can always visit the little funfair
And for hungry people who fancy a bite
You can tuck into a hotdog or burger before saying Goodnight

Now the show is over, you’d stay longer if you could
The best Firework display on offer takes place in Oxford

Nat (DI User), 20/10/08

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It's that time of year,
Now winter is here,
For fun and laughs in the snow,
But before the flakes fall,
And Michaelmas calls,
There's somewhere Oxfordians go.
Yes, prior to christmas
There's something much better
It's bonfire night don't you know
So put on your scarves
And get to South Parks
Where the fireworks steal the show.
There's always a fair
For those who dare
And don't forget the food.
There's beer and wine
And musical rhyme
To get you in the mood.
So when it gets dark
Get down to the Park
For this colourful rainbow night
It's the best in town
So get yourself down
For this one in a million sight.

Chell (Unverified), 19/10/08

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Wrap up warm and eyes open wide,
With bright lights and colours, you're in for a visual ride.
First comes the Katherine wheel.
A spinning wheel of fun.
Have a blast with a sparkler,
Dont burn your fingers says your mum.
Now look up high, up into the sky,
The fireworks begin and the crowds begin to sigh.
You hear the ooh's and the aah's from all around,
It's so cliche, but to join in you are bound.
Only once a year can you enjoy such a show,
So make the most of it and watch the sky glow!

Liz (Unverified), 19/10/08

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Splashes of colour, flashes of light.
Indigos, aquas, light up the night.
Pinks and blues, in varying hues,
Swirling and twirling, no true path to choose.
Dancing an autumnal dance `cross the sky,
Til they whiz out and fizz out and finally die.

Sarah (Unverified), 19/10/08

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REMEMBER THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER

Every firework night,
I recall
the first time I saw the stick fall

A burst of colour,
The crowd cried 'Woooo...'
we were blinded by the lights,
especially my Nan who had poor eye sight

I was only a small child then,
when I noticed it twist and fall,
Onto the middle of a spectators head
My Nan suddenly turned a shade of red.

'My hair is on fire!' she cried
flinging her arms in the air
luckly there was a paramedic near
who flung a wet blanket over her hair

Sometime after she cries with laughter
when telling others of her great escape
and she'll remember again i'm sure this year
when she notices the burnt parting in her hair!

Caz (Unverified), 19/10/08

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Bad Lads’ Bonfire Night

We’ve nicked some pallets from the timber yard
And kicked down several fences.
Got two old tires for tons of smoke
And damn the consequences!
Petrol’s out at a pound a litre
Paraffin’s not much cheaper
But cooking oil should make it burn
And make the smoke much deeper.
We’ll stick the guy on top tonight,
Dressed up as our headmaster.
If he really went up in smoke and flames
It wouldn’t be a disaster.

We’ve nicked a roll of magnesium
From the chemmy labs at school.
It burns with a fantastic light
And sparkles like a jewel.
Mickey tried to make a bomb
With sugar and fertilizer;
Nearly lost his hand by accident:
Too much oxidizer!
So we’ll settle for the shop-bought kind:
Rockets, roman candles,
Sparklers, bangers and Catherine wheels
Appeal to all us vandals.

The flames lick higher and the rockets explode
While the cats all cower indoors.
We chuck bangers at the other schools’ kids
In our never-ending wars.
Sparklers weave as their handlers’ names
Are written in the smoky air,
Then gutter and die, or burn bare fingers
Making us shout and swear.
The shells explode and colours glow bright
While we share beer and cider,
And the sky lights up on bonfire night
Like the new hadron collider.

SMB (DI Reviewer), 19/10/08

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Boom Boom
Fireworks
A Flash of Light
Twinkle Twinkle
In the Night
A Puff of Smoke
A Gust of Wind
Sparkle Sparkle
She Turned and Grinned
A Night of Magic
A Day of Joy
A Scene of Wonder
The Perfect Toy

suedeonym (Unverified), 18/10/08

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Remember,Remember the 5th of November, or so they would have you say, but what comes to mind, when i remember those lines are:
Dark, Starry Nights, with everyone wrapped up tight, bright, beautiful colours, to light up the Sky, loud bangs and Screams, oh what a dream.
Cuddles and Laughter and Hot Baked Potato, thats what i recall when i hear the Cry: Remember, Remember the 5th of November.

Dee (Unverified), 17/10/08

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As night creeps in and day makes it’s retreat
And I breathe in the smoke and wish for warm feet
As I listen to sparklers fizz and the fire roar
And delight in the fireworks and the crowd’s furore
I wonder how much people know, or not
About Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot

He was part of a catholic revolutionary group
That instigated this historical failed coup
to destroy parliament during its state opening
because help for the recusants wasn’t forthcoming.
When caught he was tortured for three days, or more
And was sent to die through the gallows door
after being hung drawn and quartered,
punished to death and being slowly slaughtered
but do you remember, of what you were told
that he managed to jump, off the scaffold
and break his neck before enduring such pain
ready to commence 4000yrs of fame.

Mary Watson (DI User), 17/10/08

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BANG! There goes another one,
Screaming as it goes.
It's getting high,
Up in the sky,
And fizzle - there she blows!

WHOOSH! Up high above the house,
Behind a trail of sparks.
Yellow, orange,
Red and white,
Exploding in the dark!

daz (Unverified), 16/10/08

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Whoosh up high above the house , behind a trail of sparks yellow,orange white and red exploding in the dark.
Bang , there goes another one , screaming as it goes its getting high , up in the air and fizzes as she blows.
Beautiful colours of a catherine wheel
The heat of the bonfire you will feel
Fireworks exploding in the sky
Calm and relaxed you will lie
As guys are thrown upon the fire
Spectacular visions soar up higher
But when the night is finally done
You have next year to continue the fun

leona (DI User), 16/10/08

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