There once was a girl named Ludmilla
who lived on a hill in Manila.
She got rid of her cat,
which was scared by a rat,
and bought herself a gorilla.
There was a young man from Cuba
who tried to play the tuba.
He puckered his lips,
pushed hard with his hips,
and blew himself to Bermuda.
There was a young poet called Lear,
whose rhymes were a treat to the ear.
After eating some turmeric
he composed a limerick
and fell asleep for a year.
Image from Pixabay
There once was a chicken called ‘Polly’,
whose name sounded happy and jolly,
‘til one morning at two,
she crowed, “cock-a-doo,”
now our chook is a rooster called Wally.
Image from Pixabay
An impressive, aggressive iguana
while eating his breakfast banana
slipped on the skin
went into a spin
and ended up flying to Ghana
Image from Pixabay
Margot the Wise and Piddling Pete
Were off on an adventure, a real treat.
They met up with Toby, Rusty and Muldoon
Down at the park near the lagoon.
They sniffed each other and marked their patch
Excited to be together, a mixed breed batch.
Off they ran at an alarming pace
Helter skelter, look out everyone it was a race!
They zig zagged past pedestrians out on the street
Barking with joy, life was sweet.
They arrived at the stadium with not a moment to spare
The dignitaries had arrived and were seated on a big chair.
The dog squad breathed a collective sigh of relief
They sat down and relaxed, there was no beef!
Speaker number one got to his paws
A handsome, beagle hound named Jonathon Laws.
Jonathon Laws spoke quickly with clarity
Pointing out hazards and where things should be.
He introduced the guest speaker, speaker number two
A giant, black poodle named Rebecca Riley Sue.
Rebecca Riley Sue – a renowned show dog
Shared anecdotes and insights that she recorded on her blog.
Rebecca Riley Sue had a lot to say
Nevertheless, she paused –
And invited the dogs in the stadium to celebrate
International Dog Day!
Image from Pixabay
International Dog Day is celebrated on 26th August 2026
GEORGE:
“Now we don’t do desert
so forget about a search.
In 50 C and no shade
we’d fall right off the perch!
We like cool climate ranges
with the freshest forest air;
on freezing foggy mornings
you’ll find me and Gertie there.”
GERTIE:
“Isn’t George a sight to see,
aglow in fiery red.
He’s perched upon a wattle tree –
feather duster on his head!
As you see I’m mostly grey
with salmon-coloured bars
so don’t mistake a Gang-gang for
those noisy, pink galahs!”
GEORGE:
“We love little saw fly grubs
and don’t mind their yucky goo.
While other birds will fly away
we’re downing quite a few!
Our busy beaks keep them in check;
we’ll clean them up with ease.
Gert and I shall do our best
to help our favourite trees.”
GERTIE:
“The seasons flow in nature;
we watch them come and go.
With cooler days of Autumn
it’s time to fly down low.
By warmer days of Springtime
we move to higher ground,
looking for our nesting place
where older trees are found.”
GEORGE:
“ Let’s please protect our forest-
we need those hollows deep.
When nesting in an ageing gum
our chicks can grow and sleep.
We’ll keep them fed and share the care
by tending ‘round the clock.
If all goes well, we hope to tell
they’re off to join the flock.”
GEORGE AND GERTIE TOGETHER:
“ We’re totally terrific
and in case you haven’t heard
a lot of people do believe
we’re Canberra’s favourite bird!
We’re covered in charisma-
that’s why we have to be
the formal faunal emblem of
our leafy A.C.T.”
Image from Pixabay
Author’s note: “George and Gertie Gang-gang” is about Canberra’s much-loved Gang-gang cockatoo. It also has a conservation message.
For the readers understanding, “feather duster on his head” describes the feathers on top of the male bird. “We love little saw fly grubs” refers to a leaf eating pest and the Gang-gangs ability to control their numbers. The conservation message relates to hollows in old gum trees which take decades to form. They are needed by these birds and indeed many others for nesting.
Finding time to PLAY is important. It helps us CONNECT and GROW. Perhaps a burst of SPRINGTIME energy will make it extra enjoyable. Let us know in a poem.
Send your poetic inspirations to Linda Davidson:
Date prompts include:
Picture Prompt:
Artwork: FRIENDS by Karen Erasmus
My little Archer
Can be so much fun
He loves to play games
And he loves to run.
He’ll jump on the couch
Put a paw on my leg
Try to snuggle right in
And often will beg.
But there are many times
When he’s such a pest
He won’t listen
And he just won’t rest
Barks continuously
Runs around the room
Knocking stuff over
It makes me fume.
He’s so energetic
A walk’s not enough
Needs constant attention
Which can be quite tough.
But I do love him dearly
Despite being a pest
He’s mostly loving
And to that I can attest.
image from Pixabay
Three ducks went for a dip,
their bottoms in the air.
I wonder what they found
in the muddy water there.
Did they catch some insects,
or maybe juicy seeds?
I hope it wasn’t bread —
that’s not what a duck’s diet needs!
Photo by Philip Webster
Teacher’s note: Everyone loves feeding the ducks with bread, but too much isn’t good for them! A duck’s natural diet includes aquatic plants and seeds, insects, worms and slugs, snails, small fish and frogs.
Sally giggling, her ponytails wiggling.
Roger nodding, his long grim face bobbing.
Michael cackling, his knuckles crackling.
Susan farewelling, her weeping eyes swelling.
Desmond gloating, his fat tummy bloating.
Frances dancing, her style so entrancing.
Warren pouting, his shiny head doubting.
Sheila wailing, to no good availing.
Thelma yearning, but never returning.
Drawing by Marcus Ten Low
Some eucalypts on desert scrub
politely share the skies,
creating lairs of dappled shade
where spinifex resides.
These mallee trees, like brollies
with their flattened canopies,
have many splaying slender trunks
at varying degrees.
Their knobbly base, a lignotuber,
helps them to survive,
should bushfire kill above the ground,
that mallee’s still alive.
Stored inside its bulbous base,
emergency supplies!
Water, food will grow new stems.
Our mallee tree revives.
Celebrating Science Week and Poetry Month 2026
Image from Pexels
Australian Children’s Poetry 