Creating a poem,
a story or art
is like making magic
alone in the dark.
Stirring-up spells
from our heart and mind
that fuse into charms
we’ve yearned to find.
Before we can conjure
these wizardly wares
we first need to practice
with pace and care
to sharpen our craft
for every line.
Then out of the dark,
enchantment will shine.
In response to Resolutions, Hopes and Creativity prompt
Born in the ranges
where horses run free,
tumbling and chasing
its way to the sea.
Fed by the snows,
broadening now,
no shadow or cloud
its waters allow.
The great Snowy River,
watched by this tree,
sweeps on to victory
and enters the sea.
My giraffe is so very high
That she can almost touch the sky
She reaches up to the tallest of trees
And off of their branches she eats their leaves
But my giraffe must get thirst I think
So what does she do when she wants a drink
She has to bend down and make herself shorter
So she can drink from the cool clear water
Then when she’s finished up again
I think that it must be a terrible strain
I wonder if she would be aloud
To drink the water out of the cloud?
My mother’s got a wicked beard.
It wasn’t there last week.
I’m not sure that I like it
but it’s certainly unique.
She took a nap the other day
and slept for just a minute,
and when she woke she found
a Willy Wagtail nesting in it.
She points at other people’s beards
and says “They all look scruffy.”
She washes hers twice every day
to keep it light and fluffy.
At first dad didn’t like it much.
He said “It isn’t funny,”
but he’s selling photos of it now
and making lots of money.
At least it’s good for sea-side trips,
it keeps us cool and shady
so I guess there’s some advantage
when your mum’s the bearded lady.
As Effie elephant walked through some trees
She suddenly felt she was going to sneeze
And her trunk was so big and her trunk was so long
The sneeze that came out was amazingly strong
It sneezed away birds, as they flew by
It sneezed away clouds that were up in the sky
It sneezed away leaves and it sneezed away flowers
It sneezed away houses and castles and towers
When Effie had finished her huge ACHOO
A voice far far away called out – ‘Bless you’
I wonder what the New Year will bring,
What games we’ll play and songs we’ll sing?
Will it be shiny and full of fun,
Will it look after everyone?
Will it be hopeful for every race,
Will I live it full of faith?
I think the New Year is up to me:
I’ll make it the year I want it to be!
Australian Children’s Poetry 