English Learning Area

9L2 with Ms Neenan

Students in Year 9 have been studying a text called ‘The Simple Gift’ by Steven Herrick this term. This is a novel told through free verse poetry which explores the life of a sixteen year old boy named Billy who leaves home, making himself homeless. As a creative writing activity, students in 9L2 were asked to write from the perspective of Billy’s alcoholic father once he discovers that Billy has left. Below are two of the responses.

Blake Plevier of 9L2:

The bloody kid

took everything.

The champagne and

the cigarettes are gone,

as well as the beer and

last night’s leftovers.

Some of the apples are missing as well.

I grabbed the phone and began

to dial triple zero when I realised something.

Why would I want the kid back?

As I put the phone down I laugh.

Samantha Lord of 9L2:

Hungover Rage

Raised in the mornin’

a ringing in my head from

the night before.

An urge to wash this ache

down  with my pride and joy.

Champagne.

I slumped downstairs to find

a note.

‘See ya Dad.

I’ve taken the alcohol.

Drink this instead

to celebrate your son

leaving home.’

I crumpled the letter of betrayal,

found a chair to take my aggression

out on and retreated back to slumber.

I have no son

I awake again in afternoon sunset

greeted  by lemonade in the kitchen.

A sigh of aggravation escaped my lips

after I took a mouthful of the lemonade.

Something wet on my leg caused me to

leap in shock.

It was just the pupper

and me,

without that little brat.

He left me.

He’s no son of mine.