Carefree
by Virginia Lowe
They found a cave one summer
on the beach front
A yew tree flourished above
held by roots
clutching the walls
Underneath was dark and cool
Secluded and safe
no one knew they were there
They stored drinks
a rug to sit on
Over weeks
they played pirates
treasure hidden on a root-shelf
at the back.
The creaks and groans
only added to the atmosphere
until the Sunday
of a summer storm
when they sheltered there
Absolutely beautiful, Virginia. But i think i wanted another verse . . . Thank you.
thanks again. i thought it might be a first glimpse of irony for kids, or at least reading more than the words say – but maybe i’m expecting too much from them – too big a jump. What do you think? Well, you’d have liked another stanza, so…
Hello Janeen. Short and Twisted 2017 liked the ominous ending and are publishing it, so that’s good. I’ve had quite a bit of success with poetry of late…Virginia
A great poem with an ominous ending.
I’m glad you saw the irony Nadine. i hope kids will be able to too.
Short and twisted 2017 enjoyed the irony too…
Thanks for this, Lynelle. I hope Henry Kendall’s work is still taught – at at least discussed – in schools. He was one of the greats of the early days of Australian poetry. My favourite of his is Bellbirds. It’s a classic, as he was.
Certainly “Bellbirds’ was discussed in NSW schools, back when hubby John was in school. he still knows it. But i don’t think they learn poetry by heart any more – which is a great shame – it lives with you forever,if you learned it young. Thanks Bill.