Literature Component:

POEMS
(Form 1)

Sad I Ams
&
News Break
Prepared by: Puan Azalina Mohd Yusof
SM Sains Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra

Sad I Ams

By Trevor Millum
1

The poets background

Trevor Millum is an ex-English teacher and has been Director of the
National Association for the Teaching of English (NATE). He has written widely
on poetry, creativity and the use of ICT in English and is also well known as a
childrens author. Trevor Millum has published several books of poetry for
children including Warning Too Much Schooling Can Damage Your Health, A Stegosaurus is
for Life and other animal poems and, in collaboration with Bernard Young, Double Talk. His
poems also appear in many childrens anthologies. Trevor has also published many short
stories and one novel The Curious Case of Dr Mann. In addition to raising money through
sonnet-writing marathons, he writes educational materials, books and articles on ICT, creativity
and English.
Sad I Ams
I am
the ring
from an empty Cola can
the scrapings
from an unwashed porridge pan
the severed arm
of last years Action Man.
I am
the envelope
on which the gum is gone
the Sellotape
where you cant find the end
the toothless stapler, springless bulldog clip
the dried up liquid paper
that mars instead of mends
the stamped addressed reply
that you forgot
to send.
I am
the battery in which no charge is left
the starter motor which remains inert
the tyre on which the tread is worn
the sparking plug which shows no sign of spark
the carburettor choked by bits and dirt
the chromium trim from which the shine has gone.
I am
a garden
overgrown with weeds
a library book
that no one ever reads
a stray
which no one thinks to feed
the piece of good advice
which no one seems to need.

Stanza One
2

Line no.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Line

Interpretation
The persona thinks/feels that he is like
The ring of a can which people always
throw after opening the can before drinking
The food that is stuck at the bottom of a
pan which people scrape off/remove
before washing the pan
The broken arm of a toy (called Action
Man) which was bought/used last year.

I am
the ring
from an empty Cola can
the scrapings
from an unwashed porridge pan
the severed arm
of last years Action Man.
Stanza Two

Line no.
1
2
3
4
5

Line
I am
the envelope
on which the gum is gone
the Sellotape
where you cant find the end

the toothless stapler, springless bulldog clip

7
8

the dried-up liquid paper

that mars instead of mends

9
10
11

the stamped addressed reply

that you forgot
to send.

Interpretation
The persona thinks/feels that he is like
The envelope which cannot be used
because the glue is not sticky anymore
The cellophane tape that angers/annoys/
Irritates people because they cannot find
the end of it
The things that anger/annoy/irritate people
such as a stapler that has no
bullets/staples in it or a clip that has no
spring/grip, so they are useless when
people need them
The liquid paper that cannot be used
anymore because it has dried up. It
smudges/dirties the paper (mars) than it
helps (mends) to erase/correct the mistake
The letter (as a reply to someone) which
you already wrote the address and put a
stamp on, but sadly you forgot to post it!

Stanza Three
Line no.
1
2

Line
I am
the battery in which no charge is left

3
4

the starter motor which remains inert

the tyre on which the tread is worn

5
6

the sparking plug which shows no sign of

spark
the carburettor choked by bits and dirt

the chromium trim from which the shine has

3

Interpretation
The persona thinks/feels that he is like
The battery that cannot be charged at all,
so it is now useless
The motor/engine that has no power
The tyre that is already worn out and
dangerous to be used, so it has to be
replaced with a new one
The sparking plug that does not work
The carburettor cannot function because it
is filled with dirt and dust
The metal plating that is no longer shiny.

gone.
Stanza Four
Line no.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Line

Interpretation
The persona thinks/feels that he is like
A garden which is neglected (not being
taken care of)
A book in the library that nobody is
interested to borrow/read
A stray animal that is not being given food
by anybody
An advice which is very good but nobody
wants to follow it.

I am
a garden
overgrown with weeds
a library book
that no one ever reads
a stray
that no one thinks to feed
the piece of good advice
which no one seems to need.

FOCUS on FEELINGS:
STANZA1 : feeling unwanted
STANZA2 : feeling useless
STANZA 3 : feeling old
STANZA4 : feeling neglected

THEMES:
Sadness
Self-pity
Loneliness
MORAL VALUES:
Confidence
Determination
Positive attitude
Courage
Appreciation
Gratitude
MORAL LESSONS:
Self-confidence is the key to personal success
We must be determined to improve ourselves for the better
Always try to be positive in life
Be brave/courageous in everything we do
Appreciate what we have
Appreciate others
Be grateful to God for His blessings
PRACTICE 1
4

STANZA 1
1. Where does the ring come from? ______________________________________
2. Where do the scrapings come from? ___________________________________
3. What is Action Man? _______________________________________________
STANZA 2
List the problems of the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

Envelope ____________________________________
Sellotape ____________________________________
Stapler ______________________________________
Bulldog clip __________________________________
Liquid paper _________________________________

STANZA 3
1. What type of vehicle is referred to in this stanza? _______________________________
2. Write the lines to suggest that the vehicle cannot start or move
a) Line ___ : ______________________________________
b) Line ___ : ______________________________________
c) Line ___ : ______________________________________
d) Line ___ : ______________________________________
STANZA 4
List the items mentioned in this stanza:
a)
b)
c)
d)

___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________

PRACTICE 2 (HOTS Questions)

STANZA 1
1. Who do you think love to drink from cans?
a) ___________________
b) ___________________
c) ___________________
2. Who do you think broke the arm of the Action Man? __________________________
STANZA 2
1. Describe how you feel when you cannot find the end of a cellophane tape.
____________________________________________________________________
2. What would you do to correct your written mistake when your liquid paper is dried up?
_________________________________________________________________
5

3. How would you feel when you suddenly found a letter which you forgot to post?
____________________________________________________________________
STANZA 3
1. What would you do if your vehicle cannot start or move?
a) ________________________________________________________________
b) ________________________________________________________________
2. Would you buy a new vehicle if you cannot use the one you have? Why?
a) ________________________________________________________________
b) ________________________________________________________________
STANZA 4
1. What should you do if your garden is overgrown with weeds?
__________________________________________________________________
2. Who should be looking after your garden at home? Why?
__________________________________________________________________
3. In your opinion, what makes a library book uninteresting?
a) _______________________________________________________________
b) _______________________________________________________________
4. Suggest ways to solve the problems of stray animals in your neighbourhood.
a) ________________________________________________________________
b) ________________________________________________________________
PRACTICE 3 (VOCABULARY)
No.
1
2
3
4

Word
Scrapings
Severed
Mars
Mend

Meaning

No.
5
6
7
8

Word
Inert
Tread
Choked
Stray

Meaning

Note :

The title Sad I Ams tells us that the whole poem is about the overall feeling of sadness.
I Ams is used because I am is the beginning of every stanza used FOUR times in the
poem.

News Break

By MaxFatchen

The poets background

Maxwell Edger Max Fatchen (3 August 1920 14 October 2012, died at the age of 92)
was an Australian journalist and childrens writer. His mother, Isabel, had taught him always to
remember where you came from, remember the land. And he did. The sense of being a farm
boy never left him and it was to become one of the secrets to the connection he made with his
vast readerships.
Fatchen won myriad awards in 1980 an Order of Australia for literature, in 1991 an
Advance Australia Award for literature and a Walkley Award for journalism in 1996. For his
childrens books and poems, he was awarded the primary English Teaching Associations
Award, the SA Great Award for literature and a Centenary of federation Medal. There were three
childrens Book of the Year Award commendations and, for his mentorship and support for other
writers, he was made Inaugural Life member of SA Writers centre.
7

News Break
Now why so loving, darling,
And why the sudden kiss?
Youd help me with some little jobs?
For goodness sake, whats this?
Your face is clean for once, dear,
Your clothes without a crease
You saved your luncheon money?
Will wonder never cease?
No dropping of your school books,
No shrieking, childish treble,
Today you are a lamb, love,
Where yesterday a rebel.
But surely youre some stranger,
No rage or hullabaloo,
Come closer, let me look, dear,
Can this be REALLY you?
Now were you struck by lightning
Or were you stunned at sport?
Ah now I see the reason.
Youve brought your school report!
Stanza One
Line no.
1

Line
Now why so loving, darling,

And why the sudden kiss?

Youd help me with some little jobs?

For goodness sake, whats this?

Interpretation
The persona, who is the
parent(father/mother), is asking
his/her child the reason for being in
a loving mood
The child does not usually kiss
his/her parent, so the sudden kiss is
a surprise
The persona/parent asks if the child
wants to help him/her
The persona/parent finds the childs
behaviour quite strange / not normal

Stanza Two
Line no.
1

Line
Your face is clean for once, dear.

Interpretation
The childs face is normally dirty but
not today
8

Your clothes without a crease.

You saved your luncheon money?

Will wonders never cease?

His/her clothes are neat and not

crumpled/creased
The persona/parent is shocked that
the child does not spend all the
money given to him/her to buy lunch
The persona/parent finds it amazing
and still cannot believe what he/she
sees

Stanza Three
Line no.
1

Line
No dropping of your school books,

2
3

No shrieking, childish treble.

Today, you are a lamb, love,

Where yesterday a rebel.

Interpretation
Usually, the child would just drop
his/her schoolbooks when he/she
gets home
and would be making a lot of noise
but today, he/she is very well
behaved just like a lamb
It was just yesterday when the child
was behaving badly

Stanza Four
Line no.
1

Line
But surely youre some stranger,

No rage or hullabaloo.

Come closer, let me look, dear,

Can this be REALLY you?

Interpretation
The persona/parent still cannot
believe that the child is very good
today almost like a stranger
The child is not angry or making a
fuss
The persona/parent asks the child to
come nearer to him/her
Still, the persona/parent cannot
believe the changes in the child
today (sudden & drastic changes)
Stanza Five

Line no.
1

Line
Now were you struck by lightning

Or were you stunned at sport?

Ahnow I see the reason.

Youve brought your school report!

Interpretation
The persona/parent asks jokingly if
the child was struck by lightning
(something very tragic or dramatic)
Or maybe the child was shocked or
surprised by bad sports news
Now, the persona/parent realises the
reason for the childs strange but
good behaviour today
The child has brought home his/her
9

school report, and from his/her good

behaviour, it seems that he/she does
not want to be scolded by his/her
parent
Note : darling, dear & love are terms used by most parents when talking to their
children.
Focus:
STANZA1 : Surprise
STANZA2 : Confusion
STANZA3 : Comparison
STANZA4 : Wonder
STANZA5 : Realisation

THEMES:
Honesty is the best policy
Courage
Respect your parents
Truth hurts but works
Hard work pays off
MORAL VALUES:
Honesty
Courage
Determination
Confidence
Respect
Truthfulness
MORAL LESSONS:
We must struggle for success
Always speak the truth
Respect our parents and those older than us
Always be on our best behaviour
PRACTICE 1
STANZA 1

1. Who is asking the question? _____________________________________________

10

2. How many questions are asked in this stanza? ______________________________

STANZA 2
1. Describe the childs face. ________________________________________________
2. Quote the line which shows that the child is being careful.
______________________________________________________________________
STANZA 3
1. List the things that the child would normally do when he/she got home.
a) _____________________________________________
b) _____________________________________________
c) _____________________________________________
2. What does it mean when the persona/parent says that the child is a lamb?
______________________________________________________________________
STANZA 4
1. What does the persona/parent ask the child to do?
______________________________________________________________________
2. Which line suggests that the persona/parent cannot believe what he/she sees?
______________________________________________________________________
STANZA 5
1. Which line suggests that the persona/parent has just realised what is happening.
______________________________________________________________________
2. What does the child bring back from school?
______________________________________________________________________
PRACTICE 2 (HOTS Questions)
1. Describe the persona/parents feelings when he/she says For goodness sake, whats

this? in stanza 1.
____________________________________________________________________
2. What would the child normally do with his/her luncheon money at school (stanza 2)?
____________________________________________________________________
3. Give an example of what the child did when the persona/parent says Where yesterday
a rebel (stanza 3)
____________________________________________________________________
4. Why does the persona/parent feel that the child is a stranger (stanza 4)?
____________________________________________________________________
5. What do you think the child would say to his/her parent when he/she gives the school
report?
____________________________________________________________________
6. Describe your own feelings every time you give your school academic report to your
parents.
____________________________________________________________________
7. Do you think examinations are important for students? Give TWO reasons.
11

a) _________________________________________________________________
b) _________________________________________________________________
8. Why are parents concerned about their childrens studies?
____________________________________________________________________
9. Suggest TWO ways students can follow in order to get success in their studies.
a) _________________________________________________________________
b) _________________________________________________________________
10. What is your future career? Why?
____________________________________________________________________
PRACTICE 3 (VOCABULARY)
No.
1
2
3
4

Word
Crease
Cease
Shrieking
Treble

Meaning

No.
5
6
7
8

12

Word
Rebel
Rage
Hullabaloo
Stunned

Meaning

ANSWERS

13

Sad I Ams
PRACTICE 1
STANZA 1

1. Where does the ring come from? Empty Cola can

2. Where do the scrapings come from? Unwashed porridge pan
3. What is Action Man? A toy
STANZA 2
Problems:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

The gum is gone

The end cannot be found
Toothless
Springless
Dried up

STANZA 3
1. What type of vehicle is referred to in this stanza? Car/van/lorry
2. Write the lines to suggest that the vehicle cannot start or move
a) Line 2 : the battery in which no charge is left
b) Line 3 : the starter motor which remains inert
c) Line 5 : the sparking plug which shows no sign of spark
d) Line 6 : the carburettor choked by bits and dirt
STANZA 4
List the items mentioned in this stanza
a)
b)
c)
d)

Garden
Library book
Stray
Advice

PRACTICE 2 (HOTS Questions)

NOTE : The answers for HOTS questions can be varied & wide ranging but most importantly,
they should be logical/reasonable and relevant to the question. Teachers are advised to use
their own discretion. The answers given below are simply examples of acceptable ones.
STANZA 1

14

1. Who do you think love to drink from cans?

a) Children
b) Boys
c) Men
2. Who do you think broke the arm of the Action Man? A child / the owner of the toy
STANZA 2

1. Describe how you feel when you cannot find the end of a cellophane tape. Frustrated /
angry / upset
2. What would you do to correct your written mistake when your liquid paper is dried up?
Cancel my mistake using a pen
3. How would you feel when you suddenly found a letter which you forgot to post?
Frustrated because the letter did not reach the person I wrote to
STANZA 3

1)
a)
b)
2)
a)
b)
a)
b)

What would you do if your vehicle cannot start or move?

Call a mechanic
Try to repair it myself
Would you buy a new vehicle if you cannot use the one you have? Why?
Yes
Because it is already old
Because I need a vehicle as a transport to move around
No
Because I do not have enough money to buy a new one
Because the vehicle is special to me and I want to keep it

STANZA 4

1. What should you do if your garden is overgrown with weeds?

Mow the lawn
2. Who should be looking after your garden at home? Why?
My mother/father because she/he knows about gardening
3. In your opinion, what makes a library book uninteresting?
c) The cover looks boring
d) It is too thick
4. Suggest ways to solve the problems of stray animals in your neighbourhood.
c) Take them as pets
d) Have a Care for Animals campaign
PRACTICE 3 (VOCABULARY)
No.
1

Word
Scrapings

Severed

Mars

Mend

Meaning
The food that is stuck to
the bottom of the pan
Cut off

No.
5

Spoils/makes something
become worse
Repair/make better
15

Word
Inert

Meaning
Not moving/starting

Tread

Choked

Stray

The pattern on the

surface of a tyre
Full of something that
stops the flow
Wandering animal that

nobody wants

News Break
PRACTICE 1
STANZA 1

1. Who is asking the question? The persona / parent / father / mother / guardian
2. How many questions are asked in this stanza? Four
STANZA 2
1. Describe the childs face. Clean
2. Quote the line which shows that the child is being careful. Your clothes without a crease
STANZA 3
1. List the things that the child would normally do when he/she got home.
a) Dropped school books
b) Shrieked
c) Made childish treble
2. What does it mean when the persona/parent says that the child is a lamb?
He/she is very well behaved
STANZA 4
1. What does the persona/parent ask the child to do?
To come closer to him/her
2. Which line suggests that the persona/parent cannot believe what he/she sees?
Can this be REALLY you?
STANZA 5
1. Which line suggests that the persona/parent has just realised what is happening.
Ahnow I see the reason
2. What does the child bring back from school?
His/her school report

PRACTICE 2 (HOTS Questions)

NOTE :The answers for HOTS questions can be varied & wide ranging but most importantly,
they should be logical/reasonable and relevant to the question. Teachers are advised to use
their own discretion. The answers given below are simply examples of acceptable ones.
1. Describe the persona/parents feelings when he/she says For goodness sake, whats
this? in stanza 1.
The parent finds the childs behaviour quite strange / not normal OR
He/she is surprised or shocked
2. What would the child normally do with his/her luncheon money at school (stanza 2)?
Buy food and drinks at recess time
3. Give an example of what the child did when the persona/parent says Where yesterday
a rebel (stanza 3)

16

He/she did not listen to his/her parents advice OR he/she messed his/her bedroom
4. Why does the persona/parent feel that the child is a stranger (stanza 4)?
Because he/she is being very good
5. What do you think the child would say to his/her parent when he/she gives the school
report?
Mum/Dad, this is my report card. I hope you wont be angry.
6. Describe your own feelings every time you give your school academic report to your
parents.
I feel nervous and also scared because my result is not always good
7. Do you think examinations are important for students? Give TWO reasons.
a) Examinations will test them on what they have learned and understood
b) Students will be more serious in their studies because the results will be important
for their future
8. Why are parents concerned about their childrens studies?
Because they want the best for their children
9. Suggest TWO ways students can follow in order to get success in their studies.
a) Have a personal study time table
b) Study in small groups after school
10) What is your future career? Why?
I want to be a doctor because I want to help treat people, especially the poor ones.
PRACTICE 3 (VOCABULARY)
No.
1

Word
Crease

Meaning
Not smooth

No.
5

Word
Rebel

2
3
4

Cease
Shrieking
Treble

Stop
Screamed
Noise/loud sound

6
7
8

Rage
Hullabaloo
Stunned

17

Meaning
A person who goes
against the rule/law
Anger
Fuss / commotion
Shocked/surprised