Writing for Fun
Poppy - Diane Silverston
August 2014
Poppy wasn't sure how she should be feeling, nervous, happy, excited, frightened? Others had told her it was a strange sensation, but you got used to it. This was her first time, so she wasn't sure.
She could hear the gentle rumble and humming sounds coming through the huge, thick curtains. Did it mean lots of people finding their seats? Was the hall going to be full? She knew everyone would have family and friends out there, just as she would. They all wanted their relative to do well and succeed.
That didn't really help calm Poppy's nerves down. She wanted to succeed, but would she? Could she? This morning she had felt she was ready and prepared, but now as time passed, she wasn't sure. How was she meant to feel? Did the others standing there feel the same as her? She looked around, everyone seemed to have a smile on their face; was it genuine or forced? Everyone looked different in their costumes and with colour on their faces. In fact everything looked different, the walls, the stage with the scenery and lights. Poppy really didn't know how she should be feeling, but she certainly felt different to her usual way. She knew it was a special day, an important day, a day that could change everything.
There was a sudden hush on stage and in the hall. A voice could be heard through the curtains. Mr Crowther was talking, introducing the afternoon's performance. A gentle clapping could be heard, then the music started. The curtain opened and all Poppy could see was a sea of faces in front of her, none really recognisable. Where were her friends and family? They must be there! They had promised to come!
Slowly as she became accustomed to the stage lights things started to come into focus: the edge of the stage, the musicians, others on the stage and the audience.
Her heart stopped racing and her brain took over control, she knew what she had to do, she knew her words, she opened her mouth and joined in with the others and sang.
Now she was sure how she felt, happy, excited, elated. She looked around again. Everyone was really smiling: the other performers, the audience, and yes, her family and friends in the 3rd row. She felt confident and, with a big smile on her face, she sang out loud.
They had succeeded, she had succeeded. The audience clapped loudly and cheered. Everyone was smiling and happy. They were right, it was a strange sensation, but a good one. It would get easier each time she was sure.
As she left the stage with the others, she heard a voice to her right.
'Well done, I'm proud of you all.' It was Mr Crowther. 'You sang really well in your first concert.'
Poppy followed the others. She had succeeded on this special day. Extra special really, as it was also her 5th birthday.
Poppy wasn't sure how she should be feeling. At the start of the week she had been so excited, but rather nervous. After months of planning, the day had finally arrived, to get everything ready and to pack her suitcase. Everyone had said she would enjoy herself, her grandma and grand-dad, her mum and her two uncles had all been and enjoyed the experience, and they were all sure she would do the same.
Early that Monday they had all arrived at school, chatty and bubbly. After a tearful farewell and a last wave to her parents, Poppy had settled back into her seat. It was her first holiday away without her parents, which seemed strange, but she was with her friends and teachers, so she was sure all would be well. The journey from her home area to the ferry port was quite a long way, and they had set off rather early. Soon the lively chatter calmed down and a form of peace descended over the coach. The scenery flashing by was quite different to their usual views: fields, trees and cattle rather than houses and offices. As they travelled on the sun climbed higher into the sky, and brighter, making everything seem more cheerful.
After three hours they had come into the town where Poppy could see the large river leading to the sea, and in no time at all they were passing the docks and into the ferry port. Another first for Poppy, going on a ferry. Many of her friends had already had this experience, but for her it was new challenge.
The coach had driven onto the ferry and the teachers and children had soon been standing on the deck, watching the old town disappear from sight. Crossing the water Poppy had seen many small craft sailing, jibbing and jiving their way between the two coastlines. Soon after the island was clear ahead, becoming more distinct by each moment. It had been a lovely day, standing on the deck with the breeze in her hair. Poppy had felt a sudden twinge of sadness; she wished her family could have been there with her to enjoy it.
Before long they had been back on the coach heading towards their first visit to a well known famous historical site.
That night after an evening of fun on the beach, as Poppy was trying to get to sleep, she had suddenly felt homesick. This was the first night she had gone to bed without her mother or father coming up to say goodnight to her. As she had cuddled her purple teddy to her she was glad that her grandma and mother had insisted she should bring it. It made her feel more comfortable and safe. All the other girls in her room had brought a favourite soft toy with them, so she was confident it was ok for her to need him.
As the days came and went, Poppy had visited places she had only heard of before; she had done things she never imagined she would be brave enough to attempt; she felt more grown up and independent. She didn't always need her family to be with her to enjoy things. She was beginning to make up her own mind about what she enjoyed a lot, what she liked quite a bit, and what she still wasn't sure about.
Then it was Friday, their last day here on the Isle of Wight. Poppy wasn't sure how she should be feeling. She had really enjoyed her time away, but she was glad in a way, to be going home and seeing the family again. Would they see a change in her? Would they realise she was growing up? Now that she was eleven and soon going to her new Secondary School. How should she be feeling? Excited, nervous, worried, eager? In fact she felt all four.
Poppy wasn't sure how she should or was feeling after so many months away. Her life during that time had been so different to her home life. She had missed her parents and family, and the comfortable safe environment, but it had been so exciting, travelling around, seeing new countries, new cultures.
Some of the places she had visited had really upset her, so many people living in such conditions, with almost nothing of their own. The children with no toys and no education: but she had learnt to look beyond those first impressions and see the kindness, friendliness of the people. They would share their homes, their meagre supply of food with visitors. They worked so hard, and enjoyed a good chat and laugh. Their lives might be hard but their attitudes were right.
Poppy and her group of volunteers had helped these people to improve their communities with clean water and better health conditions, a hall where the people could meet, or just helped them plant their crops.
Poppy had, during her time away, travelled to every continent. She had seen magnificent sights, of such beauty, places of suchpeace and tranquillity, and also areas devastated by war.
Now the time had come for her to return home and back to her own life. There were new experiences and challenges ahead of her. In a month's time she would be packing again and heading off to University.
Her family and friends were still important to her and always would be but she was twenty today and had her own ideas and views. Her life would never be the same again.
Suddenly Poppy thought back to her 5th birthday and how she had felt, and realised she still had those feelings of nervousness, excitement, happiness and yes, occasionally a little frightened. They were part of her, and with her experiences and memories, made her what she was.