The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

In-betweener

Listen to Sarah read her poem
Well, here is a puzzle I can’t seem to fix –
Am I in year seven? Or still a year six?
Primary’s over – it’s finished, all done
There’s no doubt about it; the summer’s begun.
I’ve taken my books home
I’ve emptied my tray
No need to rehearse
for the end of school play.
The hooks are all empty
My polo shirt’s signed
I’ve sat all my SATs
Left my first school behind.
So, secondary’s coming ¬– a total clean slate –
but that’s in September, all summer to wait.
I need a new backpack
I’ll wear a new tie
The teachers don’t know me
and…neither do I.
Just who will I be –
when I enter this school?
A miniscule fish,
in a gigantic pool.
Yes, I am a puzzle I can’t seem to fix
Not quite in year seven, no longer year six.

About the Writer


Sarah Ziman

Sarah is originally from Wales, now living in Hertfordshire. She prefers to write poetry for children, though thinks that the best poems can be enjoyed by people of all ages. She has twice been highly commended in The Caterpillar Poetry Prize, and won first prize in the 2021 YorkMix Poems for Children Competition. Her work has appeared in The Best Ever Book of Funny Poems published by Macmillan, various magazines and websites.