The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

The Corner of the Classroom

I’m hiding in the corner
in amongst the coats and bags.
I know my friends are laughing
and I’m feeling cross and sad.
The very special card I made
just seemed an awful mess
when Harry said, ‘That’s rubbish!”
and all my friends said, “Yes.”
So I’m hiding in the corner,
it’s a warm, safe place to be,
and I’m hoping, if I lie quite still,
that no one else will see.

Hi there, in the corner,
I’m sorry you’re so sad.
I’ve brought that thing you crumpled,
the card you made your dad.
I know your dad will LOVE it!
Who wouldn’t be impressed?
A cool design, great colour choice,
it’s really not a mess!
Together we could fix it,
make it good as new, you’ll see!
Why not crawl out from your corner
and come and sit with me?

About the Writer


Jacqueline Shirtliff

Jacqueline is a primary school teacher on the Isle of Man. She is passionate about instilling a love of poetry and reading in the children she teaches and encouraging them to be writers themselves. She lives with her husband and youngest son in a rose-covered cottage near the sea, and when she's not teaching or writing she enjoys gardening, crochet and playing the tuba and harp, but not all at the same time!