The Possums of Pittwater

The possums are holding a ball on the roof

the noise they are making is positive proof.

They are dancing the samba (ole and caramba!)

the one-step, the two-step,

the waltz and the you-step,

the quick step, the trick -step,

tarantella and tango,

and just for a lark, the gum-tree fandango

(But never the fox-trot. No. Certainly not.)

Line-dancing or ballet, it’s nothing to them

– a possum’s jete is really a gem.

But sometimes I wish, in the midst of their romp

(boogie, mazurka, rock-and-roll, saltbush stomp)

they’d put their boots back in a neat cardboard box

and dance for a while in their sneakers and socks,

©Anne Bell

First published the NSW Department of Education School Magazine