It isn’t quite a beaver, though it has a beaver’s tail,
A freshwater-living mammal, much smaller than a whale.
It’s something like an otter with body dressed in fur.
Its bill and feet are duck-like but it has a poisonous spur.
It burrows into riverbanks to lay its eggs therein.
It swims around in waters while having not one fin.
If you come across it, I urge you not to scream.
It wouldn’t ever harm you. It’s just a monotreme.
Its name can be quite tricky, but you’ll learn it without fuss.
So try:
Or –
Or – nith – or
Ornithorhynchus,
You might call it the platypus.
Australian Children’s Poetry 
I like the way you’ve built up the mystery of the platypus.
Katherine Gallagher
Thank you so much, Katherine. I’m pleased you like it.
Thanks Norah – such a delightfully informative science rhyme 🙂
Thank you, Celia. I’m pleased the informative poem is to you liking.
Lovely Norah! I was dreamed of a platypus. Congratulations for the poem win 🌺
Thank you, Susan. I’m pleased you picked it. 🙂
Congratulations, Norah! What an honour. It is terrific and very informative!
Thanks, Robin. To say I’m delighted is an understatement.
A delightful way to learn…Love it!
Thank you, Carol. 🙂
The rhythm and rhyme work so well, and I love the description through comparisons; what else to do with such a creature! Well done!
Thank you, D. I appreciate your noticing and commenting on those points. 🙂
What a great poetic way to learn about the platypus. Wonderful!!
Thank you for your kind words, Pam. 🙂
This is a wonderful poem. Thank you for sharing it here.
I am totally delighted to have my poem published here. Thank you, Robbie.
A great poem, Norah. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Thank you, Barbara. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.
That’s wonderful! Congratulations Norah! (Also – some day I’d like to see a platypus!)
Thank you, Lillie. I hope you get to see a platypus one day too.
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Great post Norah. hi from Bali. Thank you sharing. have a lovely day
Norah,
That poem is awesome, as is the author who took on the platypus as a poetic subject. I can understand why it was a poem of the day. Nice rhythm and rhyme (perfect for children) and so much information imparted at the same time.
As an encore, how about the wombat as a subject. Some day I WILL see one fur-real!