November has been a very busy and eventful month, which in this case is both good and bad.

November is usually the beginning of the Holiday season, decorations are set up, sales happen at stores, everyone starts doing their Christmas shopping, etc...
But this year, just a couple of days after Remembrance Day, something terrible happened; and that terrible thing inspired this new poem.

--- Poem will be posted here soon! ---

 

2015

Bullying Awareness Week!

 

New Poem COMING SOON!

2015 Bullying Awareness Week

November 16 to 22 is bullying awareness week.

There will be a poem coming a little later, but first I want to talk and share about bullying and it's negative affect on the world.

Not only as a victim, but also someone who hates it, I am all about anti-bullying. When I was in school I was bullied. People would always make fun of and laugh at me.

In elementary school there were other kids who were always mean for no reason and would pick and start fights with me. It's true what they say, "Kids can be very cruel." They often preyed on my weaknesses.

Even in high school I was bullied, not only by fellow students and classmates, but by teachers and staff as well. Which was the inspiration behind my poem I Am Who I Am which I posted this year on Black History Month back in February, and has been published twice in collections.

I was often attacked for the way I looked, the way I dressed, the food I ate and drank for lunch, the classes and courses I took, the fandoms I loved, and even my personality.

A bully is not necessarily someone who hits you (which would be physical bullying). A bully is also someone who attacks you in a negative way physically, verbally, and/or electronically (cyber bullying) to hurt you. Anyone who hurts you physically, emotionally, or in any other way is a considered a bully. You seen, a bully is someone who uses power and intimidation over you.

The sad truth is that bullying doesn't just happen to children and teenagers, it also happens in the adult world all the time too. I've seen grown men and women get bullied, but the difference is they know how to handle it better.

Don't ever let people hurt you in any way. We are all the same with differences, we are all unique individuals and special in our own way. Bullying usually comes from jealousy and envy, and at the end of the day all bullies are cowards.

Don't listen to anything negative that others have to say about you or the people you care about, don't change anything about yourself to please anyone else. You are who you are, so keep being yourself and be proud of yourself! Don't let criticism have an effect on what you say or do, and don't let it affect the way you think of  yourself. Stand up to bullying, and rise above the hate!

This part is especially for kids all around the world:  Do not be afraid to walk away from a fight. You don't need to fight someone if you don't want to; except in a case of self-defence. You should never have to do anything you don't want to do; don't let people force you against your will. 
If you need to talk to someone, do it. Find someone who you can trust and you know cares about you, and they will listen. There is always someone out there who will listen to you.

Never feel alone or unwanted, you belong to this world as much as anyone else does. You matter, and you were put on this earth for a reason, and don't you ever forget that.

The importance of literature, 14 years since first "Harry Potter" movie, my journey through reading and writing

Yesterday was a pretty big day... well for me anyway; but for many others too, I'm sure.
I meant to post and share this story yesterday, but I was busy and didn't get around to it, sorry for the bit of lateness!  But I suppose a one day delay is better than not posting it at all, or worse, a two day delay. (I know, I need to sort out my priorities).  Anyway, what I'm about to share with you is quite important to me, and you'll see why as you read on.

Yesterday we celebrated the 14th anniversary of the first "Harry Potter" movie!
It was on this day (November 16, 2001) 14 years ago when the magic and an incredible journey began!  As "Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone" [Sorcerers Stone] saw its theatrical release, I had just settled into the second grade.

Back then I could not read very well at all, I hated reading and I didn't like it when people told me reading was good for me. I especially hated when people tried to force me to read. I think I hated reading mostly because I wasn't very good at it.  Even though I couldn't read all that well back then, I'd always liked writing and wanted to write even then, but of course my spelling was terrible.

"Harry Potter" has made a big difference and had a huge impact on my life.  It all started when I was in grade 2. Back in September 2001, prior to the highly anticipated release of the first "Harry Potter" movie, my teacher was reading the book to my class. 

"Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone" was first published and released in the UK in 1997, so it was still fairly new when my teacher was reading it to my class. The second and third books were even more relatively new, and the fourth book had just been released in 2000.
For those who don't know, the "Harry Potter" series has seven amazing books, written by the amazing author J.K.Rowling; which are re-released every few years with brand new covers in both hardcover and paperback.
1. Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Anyway, as I was saying, my teacher was reading the first book to my class just as the first movie was coming out. Once I got a taste of Harry Potter, I began to want to read the books. I asked my mom to get me the books which she did without hesitation, she bought me the box set with the first four books, which is how the box set was available at the time.  A few months after November when "Philosopher's Stone" was released on VHS my mom also bought me that, and my teacher had finished reading the book to my class and had moved on to other stories.
But I was still hooked on Harry Potter, I'd really liked it. I wanted to know more about the story. What happens next? The second movie was a year away from release, and I just couldn't wait that long, so I began to read the books and in the process started becoming a much better reader.

Fast-forward to November 15, 2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets opened in theaters.


TO BE CONTINUED...  Stay tuned for the rest of this very interesting story!

"A Noble Death" poem - Remembrance Day

 

A Noble Death

By: Vickram Bachan
 

We are killed one by one,
Some by bomb and some by gun.

This is war.

For a man who has lived an adventurous life,
All it is now is pain and strife.

Freedom and peace are what we're fighting for.

Many of our bodies now lay in Flanders Fields,
Some are carried and some are wheeled.

This is war.

We die for you with sacrifice and pain,
And now we hope it is not all in vain.

Freedom and peace are what we're fighting for.

The living are covered in dirt and lice,
While the dead are eaten by rats and mice.

This is war.

The food here is stale it has no flavour or spice,
We miss our homes and good tasting rice.

Freedom and peace are what we're fighting for.

At home you grin and laugh with joy,
Here we are killed, and thrown aside like an old toy.

This is war.

Sometimes we must fight for what is right,
With a cause so great, we must fight with all out might.

Freedom and peace are what we're fighting for.

We long to get out of these trenches that smell,
But sometimes getting to Heaven, means going through hell.

This is war.

November 1918 the war is done,
Soldiers are happy to see the sun.

This is peace.

Recounting the lives that were taken away,
The thousands the war took, a devastating price to pay.

It is important to reflect.
We faced death in the hope that Canada would one day be a place of freedom and peace.
We won, but at what cost?
Let's hope war doesn't happen again!

Remembrance Day 2015 - Celebrating and Remembering their sacrifices

We're just a few short hours away now! Later tonight, at 11:00pm sharp, I will be posting my poem "A Noble Death" for your viewing and reading pleasures. Five years after it was written, this poem will finally make it's official online and public debut.

Today, as we celebrate and commemorate Remembrance Day 2015, and Canada is currently celebrating its 148th birthday, and as we celebrate 100 years since the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" was written by John McCrae; we take time to pay tribute, remember, pray, and think about all the sacrifices made so that we could be alive and enjoy the freedoms and everything we have today. Freedom we sometimes take for granted, and freedom that some don't appreciate.

So, to all the Canadian military; veterans past present and future, thank you for everything you do for us and for this great country. To soldiers who have passed on, and to the ones that are still alive today, we appreciate you and all that you've done for us. You will never be forgotten. "Lest We Forget."

Remembrance Day ceremonies were held all across Canada, and across the world.
Today I was proud to be part of a special Remembrance Day assembly, which clearly had a lot of time hard work and effort put into it. This morning was wonderful and, I even got to meet someone special!



Vick with Captain Trevor Smith,
son of a World War II veteran
at a Remembrance Day assembly.
Wednesday November 11, 2015. 11:30am

Vick with Captain Trevor Smith, son of a World War II  
veteran, at a Remembrance Day ceremony.
Wednesday November 11, 2015. 11:30am

        

 

 

 

"A Noble Death" the story behind the poem

Remembrance Day is tomorrow, and coming with it is my poem "A Noble Death", which is making it's public debut and will be available for the world to read for the first time ever!

"A Noble Death" focuses on World War I, and is written from the perspective of the Canadian soldiers. It speaks to, pays tribute, and acknowledges the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy, take for granted, and sometimes don't appreciate today. The story of how this poem came to be and it's journey since then is an interesting one to say the least.

It began five years ago. It was in spring of 2010 when I first wrote "A Noble Death". I was having trouble sleeping and started thinking about everything I knew and had learnt in school and other places about war and Canadian history, and about how terrible it [war] is. Ideas for this poem began to formulate in my head, so I sat up, grabbed the notepad pencil and flashlight I keep on my bedside table for just such occasions, and started scribbling lines down.

I eventually fell asleep, and when I awoke the next day I wrote a rough draft. A couple of days later, after I did some editing and made a few final touch-ups, I typed out a final copy, and that is the poem you all enjoy today. But it doesn't end there, oh no.

A few days before I actually wrote or got the idea for this poem, everyone in my grade 10 history class was given an assignment to do either a poster or a poem which focuses on WWI. I ended up submitting this poem which earned top marks; and it went on to be read at the schools Remembrance Day assemblies three years in a row.

I wanted to get some more honest feedback on it, so in September the following school-year, I showed it to my grade 11 math teacher who loved it, and he loved it so much that he always encouraged me to keep writing and to never stop. It was in this school-year that my poem was first read at the school's annual Remembrance Day assembly in November 2010.

A few years later in November 2012, I submitted my poem "A Noble Death" to a contest hosted by The Royal Canadian Legion. It went on to win second place in that contest!
I was awarded the second place prize on Sunday March 3, 2013 at a Royal Canadian Legion branch in Toronto at the annual award ceremony!

Vickram Bachan receives award from Mr. John Holloway
of The Royal Canadian Legion

Coming soon: "A Noble Death" poem - Remembrance Day 2015

Well, it's November 1st, which means there is just ten more days to go until Canada's annual Remembrance Day celebrations and the public debut of my famous poem "A Noble Death".  I can't wait to share this poem with the world. Many have seen this poem before ever since I wrote it back in 2010, but this will be the first time it will appear here on my blog and seen publicly by the world!
So keep an eye out for it here on Wednesday November 11, 2015.

As I will be busy at 11:00am being present at a Remembrance Day assembly, I will be posting the poem at 11:00pm sharp.


Also, I will be posting an interesting backstory about the writing and the journey of a "A Noble Death" since it's creation in 2010 right up to today! So keep an eye out for that backstory, it'll be posted here before Remembrance Day.

About "Halloween Night" poem

I hope everybody enjoyed the new poem I posted earlier today called, "Halloween Night" and I hope everyone who celebrates has had a safe and happy Halloween.

While this poem, "Halloween Night" might be new to all of you, it is actually a few years old.
I wrote this poem in 2012, and today I thought it was time to share it.  I hope everyone liked it.
Have fun tonight, stay out of trouble or try not to get into too much of it at least, and don't eat too much candy.  Happy Halloween!

"Halloween Night" poem

Happy Halloween everyone!

Halloween Night

By: Vickram Bachan 



On this night the witches fly,
The spirits of dead ones rise and cry.

Pumpkins are carved and placed outside,
While children in costumes run and hide.

We say "trick or treat",
Expecting something sweet to eat.

As the ghosts roam spooking everyone,
Kids run around having lots of fun.

Houses look haunted with countless decorations,
As witches stir cauldrons concocting potions.

Vampires change themselves into bats,
As everyone avoids those tabby black cats.

Monsters come out from under the bed and the closets,
Synonymous with mummies as they leave their caskets.

Vampires and Werewolves bring us all fright,
Have a Happy Halloween, if you dare come out at night.

"A Noble Death" Remembrance Day themed poem - Coming Soon!

It's October 11th, which means we are now exactly one month away from Remembrance Day!
I am very excited for November 11th, because this year for the first time ever I am finally going to officially make one of my most famous poems public.

Five years ago I wrote a poem which was set in World War I. It instantly became very popular with everyone who saw it. As I promised back on May 4th; on Remembrance Day 2015, I will be posting it here on my blog to share with the world.

The poem is called "A Noble Death" and will be revealed publicly for the first time ever, exclusively here on my blog only.  Perhaps later on down the road it will appear elsewhere too.

I am very much looking forward to Canada's annual Remembrance Day, and to share this poem with you all!  I hope you will enjoy it!

Story Published in "Wherever We Roam" Coming soon!

NEW short story coming soon!


Today I received some more great and very exciting news! My brand new short story, "Bring Your Pet to School Day" will be published in a brand new book titled, "Wherever We Roam" available exclusively from the Polar Expressions Publishing!



Image courtesy of Polar Expressions

"Wherever We Roam" will be a wonderful paperback/softcover book featuring short stories written by Canadians. I am honoured that my new short story is considered one of the best of the best and will be published as part of this collection.

The collection of short stories is set to be published and released in early December of this year; a great way to celebrate the holidays and end 2015!

I am very excited about this book, and I'm certain this will be a great collection of short stories which I cannot wait to read. I hope everyone will be getting a copy or two, and I hope you will enjoy and have as much fun reading my writing as I did working on it!





Remember, if you would like to get this book it is available exclusively from the Polar Expressions Publishing, and only a limited amount of quantities will ever be printed.

"Wherever We Roam" is now available for pre-order at: http://www.polarexpressions.ca/Shop.html!

Poem Published in "The Tracery of Trees" Coming soon!

NEW poem coming soon!

Last week, on Thursday September 10, 2015 I received some great news! I am excited to say that my poem "I Am Who I Am" will be published in a book called "The Tracery of Trees" which will be available exclusively from the Poetry Institute of Canada/Young Writers.

"The Tracery of Trees" will be a hardcover book composed of poems by Canadians. Thousands of poems were submitted from all across Canada, and I am very proud that my poem was chosen as one of the "best of the best" to be included in this book. "The Tracery of Trees" will no doubt be a great book filled with lots of wonderful poetry by Canadians, and I can't wait for it's release. A limited number of this book will be printed. It is scheduled to be published and released at sometime in late January 2016!

This is my first time being published by The Poetry Institute of Canada.
I hope you will all be getting a copy or two, and I hope you will enjoy not just my poem, but all the poems of the talented Canadian poets that will be included in this, what is sure to be an amazing, book!

"The Tracery of Trees" is now available for pre-order!

Congratulations to The Queen!

No I didn't write a poem about it, but maybe I will.  I just thought I should congratulate her royal majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her huge milestone.

Today marks 63 years since she came to the thrown (1952-2015) at the age of 26, that's 23,226 days of service. Longer than any other monarch in England history and maybe even world history; this will no doubt go down in the history books as a massive event. This is a major accomplishment for Queen Elizabeth II, as she has surpassed the reign of Queen Victoria, her great-great-grandmother (who up until yesterday was the longest reining monarch), and the reigns of all her other predecessors and all the Kings and Queens in her family before her. "Long live the Queen" has held true for Elizabeth II, can she pull off another 63 years? Never say never, anything can happen in this world, and only time will tell. She is only 89 years young, so let's wait and see.

As the now longest reigning sovereign in Canada's modern era, many things have been done here in Canada to mark this historic occasion. The Bank of Canada has released a special 2015 commemorative $20 bill, this banknote was unveiled today,  The Royal Canadian Mint has issued a few special commemorative collector coins,  and Canada Post has released a Stamp!

Anyway, all in all, a huge congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II!!!  Here's to many more!!!

And remember, I did say I might write a poem to celebrate and commemorate this, so make sure to keep a lookout just in case.

"Leaves Are Fun" poem

It's September, which means it's that time of the year again where everyone is happy and excited, but also a bit disappointed that it's almost time to return to school. It signals that fall is upon us and the end of summer draws near. Autumn always brings that bittersweet feeling of the end of summer fun and going back to school. 

I thought this was the perfect time and occasion to share with you all a poem that I wrote when I was in the third grade. It's not great and doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but please remember I was only eight at the time. It was however good enough to be published in the December 2002 holiday edition of the school news letter!  I had written this in October 2002, It was a month after I'd just started grade 3. Enjoy!

Leaves Are Fun

By: Vickram Bachan

 

Leaves are fun

they fall in the rain and in the sun.

They are red, green, orange, yellow

leaves.

And they make a mess

till you clean them please.



 



Happy Canada Day 2015!

Happy Canada Day everybody!

I hope you all enjoyed my new poem, "Waving Proudly 50 Years Strong" that I posted earlier today!
This years Canada Day is a special one for a few reasons. 

- In 2015 Canada celebrates its 148 birthday.

- We celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our wonderful flag! 

- It was on this day in 1873 when Prince Edward Island (PEI) joined the Canadian confederation and became a province in Canada.

- On this day in 1980, the inspirational Terry Fox arrived in Ottawa during his historic run. So today we celebrate the 35th anniversary of that.

- We also celebrate the 28th birthday of our Canadian dollar coin! On this day in 1987 the Royal Canadian Mint introduced the Looney. The new loon-dollar coins were used in unison with the $1 bill, until the Bank of Canada began gradually phasing out the one dollar bank notes.
(NOTE: This was actually on June 30, on the eve of Canada day.)

So all in all, today is a big day for milestones in Canada and Canadian history!  Once again, Happy 1st of July Canada!  Enjoy the festivities across the country, have fun, and most of all stay safe!

"Waving Proudly 50 Years Strong" Happy Canada Day 2015!

Happy Canada Day 2015 everyone!
I hope you will enjoy this poem!  Also, don't be shy to show your patriotism for Canada today!
This years Canada Day is a special one as we celebrate our flags fiftieth anniversary!

Waving Proudly 50 Years Strong

By: Vickram Bachan

It's now been fifty years, since our flag was unveiled,
At global events we cheer, so it can be the one that prevailed.

The red and white blowing majestically in the wind,
or displayed proudly wherever it's pinned.

With a red maple leaf in the center of it all,
Our flag will always stand proud and tall.

It represents a vibrant mosaic of all people's and cultures,
A place of acceptance, a place that always nurtures.

A growing community of all races and kinds,
Displaying us as one, a nation that binds.

Equality, democracy, freedom, and peace,
Canada is a close to perfect masterpiece.

All characters and personalities are welcomed here,
The only thing Canadians are scared of is fear.

Opportunities await in a land that always thrives,
We are fueled by our passions and our drives.

No matter what differences we all might share,
Canada is a proud country that will always care.

In 2015 we celebrate our national flags 50th anniversary,
It's the symbol of us proud Canadians; we stand on guard for thee!

Coming soon: Canada Day poem!

This year, Canada is proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of our beloved Canadian flag!
In honour of this milestone for our great nation, I will be posting a poem on Canada Day to commemorate this special anniversary as our flag turns half a century old!

2015 marks 50 years for Canada's flag; I've been working on this poem which I hope everyone will enjoy. But, I've also started working on another special one.
2017 will mark the 150th anniversary for Canada itself! So, on Canada Day in 2017 I will be posting a poem that will not only celebrate Canada, but commemorate its sesquicentennial! I've already come up with some ideas for it. I can't wait to finish and share it with you all in 2 years time; but for the time being, you still have the one I will be posting this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Canada's flag to look forward to!

Poems of Remembrace Day

Yesterday, on Sunday May 3, 2015 the world celebrated the 100th anniversary of the day John McCrae wrote the poem "In Flanders Field" during World War I and the Second Battle of Ypres.

To mark the special occasion we even got commemorative coins and stamps from The Royal Canadian Mint and Canada Post, as they released some awesome silver coins and stamps, in celebration of the famous piece of poetry.

Well coincidently it was around this time of year in 2010 that I wrote a Remembrance Day themed poem of my own. It's called, "A Noble Death" and it became quite popular with my friends family and the people around me who've seen it. Today I am happy to announce that the poem will officially be made public when I post it right here on my blog for all of you to see! The poem will fittingly be revealed on this years Remembrance Day on Wednesday November 11, 2015.  Mark your calendars!

Second Easter poem: "The Bunny's Job and the Eggs"

Here is the second of the two Easter poems!  Enjoy, and Happy Easter!

 

 

The Bunny's Job and the Eggs

By: Vickram Bachan

 

 

It's that time of the year, when the Easter bunny come hopping along,

he leaves Easter eggs hidden everywhere, but to whom will they belong?

 

Children go hunting to find as many as they can,

searching this way and that as they all ran.

 

Trying to fill their baskets right up to the rim,

they look from morning until the light gets dim.

 

Whoever finds the most eggs is declared the winner and awarded the grand prize,

a beautiful and delicious chocolate bunny, usually of substantial size.

 

The holiday long weekend is spent with family and friends,

Easter is celebrated with loved ones, until the late hours descends.

 

As the older ones say their prayers, and the young ones eat too much chocolate,

Easter now comes to an end, and the next holiday awaits.

 

The Easter bunny retires for the year, after a job well done,

he hops away happily, knowing everyone had fun.

 

Twelve months later he returns once more, as the time has yet again come,

as spring is back, more chocolate eggs are left, just as the plants are in blossom.