Welcome to Pentrepoeth Junior School

Year 6 Poetry-

Last term, as part of our Victorian project, we visited the White Rock Copper Works site. It was situated next to the Park and Ride car park opposite the Liberty Stadium and was one of the many works operating in the Morriston area during the Industrial Revolution. Swansea was world famous for its copper production and was called “Copperopolis”. There are few remains today but the River Tawe still flows past on its way down to the sea. We were inspired to write our own river poems after reading and performing “The River’s Story” by Brian Pattern. We hope you enjoy reading this selection of poems by Mrs Wright’s class.

The River Tawe’s Story

 By Rhys Husband               

I remember  a  time before the factories came

I was as beautiful as a butterfly.

I felt overjoyed and peaceful.

My banks protected me from floods.

My water was as clear as crystals.

The air around me was the purest in the land.

The fish swimming in me were as glorious as the sun.

It was an elegant time and a gentle time.

Then the Copper Works came

Chimneys choked me to death.

My banks crumbled as if in a war.

My water was as deadly as a venomous snake.

The air around me poisoned my birds

The fish lay dead on the surface of my water.  

I was a highway to hell.

I felt like I was dying.

It was a horrific time and a dreadful time.

Now the factories have all gone

People walk their dogs and children study

My derelict remains.

My banks are restored to their rightful state.

My water is as glorious as a rainbow again.

The fish have come alive once more.

I am the soul of Swansea.

I am Swansea’s own river.

The River Tawe’s story 

I remember a time before the factories came.

Before the nauseating smell of putrid gas strangled my meandering soul.

It was a peaceful time, a happy time, a time when I was undisturbed and relaxed.

My banks were lush and the grass swayed whilst the wind danced through the trees.

The air was fresh and with out a care in the world, it shilly-shallied about the cloudless sky.

Tiny fish swam through my body and warmed me completing the happiness of my surroundings.

But the air has changed to black, a smoky black killing my friends.

Destroying my world.

Now I have slowed down and my current has stopped.

I am wasting away to a trickle of filth.

A shrunken sewer I have become.

I miss my old self.

It seems to me I have vanished.

Lying here nearly dead and gone.

But wait!  The heavy iron gates are shutting.

They have gone!

Derelict remains lie alone still silent.

Hell was here but now it has gone.

Yet I will never be the real me again.

By Jessica Palle

 The River Tawe’s Story

I remember a time before the factories came

I was as clean as a crystal

I felt full of happiness like the fish playing in side of me

My banks were like strong soldiers

My water was as clear as a shimmering diamond

The air around me was precious as life itself

The fish swimming in me shilly -shallied through me

It was a beautiful time and a gone time

Then the copper works came

Chimneys puffed  out poisonous black smoke

My banks were black and as polluted as the air

My water was full of toxic waste and gas

The air around me was just disgusting

The fish floated on my surface

I felt sad

I felt terrible

It was a bad time and a sad time

Now the factories have all gone

People walk their dogs and children study my derelict remains

My banks are strong once again

My water is fresher than it was before

The fish are swimming in me once again

 I feel like a new river

 By Charlie and Jason

The River Tawe’s Story

By Alex O’leary            

I remember a time before the factories came:

I was beautiful and peaceful as the midnight sky.

I moved like a tree swaying gently in the wind.

My banks were full of crispy green grass good enough to eat!!!!!

My water as cool and as blue as the sky on a sunny day.

The air around me felt soft against me, it felt refreshing.

The fish in me swam happy and free.

It was a pleasant time, a forgotten time.

Then the Copper works came!

Chimneys spat fumes and smoke drifted into my mouth.

My banks were muddy and bare,

My grass all crumpled and trampled,

My water was poisoned and horrid.

The air around me was disgusting and made me feel me sick.

The fish were floating to my skin- it must be their new game.

I felt upset and abandoned, I wanted to disappear.

I felt like I was invisible , forgotten and disused.

It was a Scary time but a real time.

Now  the factories have all gone!

People walk their dogs and children study the derelict remains.

My banks are green and full of life.

My water is fresh and clean.

The fish are happy, chasing each other round like mice.

I am back to normal, fresh again.

I feel relieved and retrieved !!!!!