Out Walking

We raced along

sticks stuffed in back

of trailing grubby shirts

dust flying up

as feet kicked rocks

along the path of dirt

“Hurry!” we cried

much faster now

air sucked in quick and deep

lungs bursting over distance

the trail becoming steep

The shadow we were chasing

was flitting in and out

of gnarled and broken tree trunks

then “Quickly!” with a shout

we pounced and drew our swords

blades waving in the air

“Come out from where you’re hiding!

Come out from under there!”

And out he crept from darkness

held beneath a rock

great size and sudden hairiness

enough to give a shock

swords pointed bravely forward

ready for a fight

then “BOO!” came from that shadow

Dad laughing at our fright.

© Kristina Hoy

       Thackaringas*

Dad wants another holiday –

to the Outback once again!

‘And what’s it for this time?’ I asked.

‘I think you should explain

the purpose of this road trip,

and dangers we might face.

I want to know the details

before I’ll leave this place.’

You won’t believe his reason

for going way out west –

To see the thackaringas!

And yes, I think you’ve guessed:

they’re horrid vicious monsters

with eerie yellow eyes.

At night you hear around you

their baleful hungry cries.

Their teeth are big as tombstones

and they’ll eat a boy alive.

They only have to breathe on you

and you may not survive.

I think I’ll give this trip a miss

‘cause Dad said, on his honour,

‘If a thackaringa gets you

… you’re a goner.’

*Low hills 36km west of Broken Hill

© Kate O’Neil

Pool Incident Report

19 Lisa Valley Close, 28 Dec 2014

Funnel web spider underwater on pool wall. Rescued by pool scoop. Tossed far into bushes.

Small brown arachnid floating on leaf. Rescued by shaky human hand. Unharmed on pool edge.

Female heart. Revived by deep breathing and gentle swim. Recovering well.

© Wendy Blaxland

once below a time

Once below a time

when the far was near away,

the clouds they swam about in seas

and fish came out to play.

And when the day was upside down

and purple rain flew high,

the birds they barked so happily

all dancing in the sky.

And when the night was shining bright

and cows all sung Meow!

the chickens played the piccolo

in that far away here now.

© Janeen Brian

Muddled Mollusc

It lives in our letterbox down by the gate,

this very unfortunate snail.

It’s slithering, chewing

and constantly pooing

on all of the family mail.

It could have had cabbages, carrots and beans,

all part of our vegetable plot.

Its hopes must be sinking.

I bet it was thinking

that lettuce would drop through the slot.

© Jenny Erlanger

A Button

One day I found a button.

It was lying on the ground.

It was thin and made of metal

and in this case, very round.

It was also very dirty

and rusty here and there

and I wondered if the owner had

another button spare.

And I wondered if the button

was simply scuffed or old –

from a swaggie or a soldier

or a pirate bearing gold.

Or maybe from a teddy bear

with stripy pants and cap.

But then, I wondered

where it was that button left a gap.

And so I’ll keep on wondering

about that button round

and how I’d like to keep it safe

now that it’s been found.

© Janeen Brian