The bells ring (cling, clang) Feet dance (tippity tap) Voices sing (hip hooray) Hands clap (slap, slap) The streets cheer: ‘The war is over!’ My curtains draw (swish, swash) My clock clicks (tick, tock) My tears slip (drip, drop) My heart aches (crash-break) My brother won’t come home. The war is over.
The Girl Who Was a Bird When I was young I wrote to a girl (on an island far away) Who drew her self-portrait In cheap ballpoint pen: A bird in a cage. When I was young I wrote to a girl (on an island not so far) Of my home and land […]
Bubble, bubble, boil and trouble Fill my cauldron on the double With slime of frog and pooh of bear And Daddy’s oldest underwear With fish’s scales, mermaid’s nails, Dragon’s breath and lizard’s tails Tear of tiger, eye of slug A squirt from the bum of a citrus bug Look out! Daddy’s had a […]
Star Wishing Space was a glittering, Glamorous eyeful So I wished for a star— But I got a sky full. They covered the floor Like sparkling snow; They lit up the house With a dazzling glow. They caught in my hair, They filled up my lap; They poured like diamonds From the kitchen sink tap. […]
Mish and Mash I love to cook a mish and mash A pineapple avocado smash Cranberry and potato soup A pea and parsnip ice-cream scoop A pepper zucchini chocolate slice Special strawberry chilli rice Pizza topped with jelly beans Devil’s food cake served with greens. I love to cook a mish and mash Dinner’s […]
The New Ssstudent Slithering, whispering A snake came to class Brightly glittering Its scales like glass Short, thick body Banded with grey Wiggling lure tail Tempting for prey. Terrible, horrible It gave us a turn But Mrs MacWinkle Said, ‘It may wish to learn.’ Snake failed English Again and again; Snakes […]
We Wish You a Merry Birthday My name is Noelle and I’m sorry to say that I was born on Christmas Day, after the presents but before the singing (nonsense about sleigh bells ringing). My father claimed he’d had a hunch that I’d be born right after lunch and so it was: Mum gave […]
What the Smoke Says This smoke floats With light airy whispers: ‘Marshmallows, ‘Roast potatoes, ‘Billy tea, ‘Fun by the sea.’ It points to the sweetest one Points at me. This smoke floats Heavy and dark, It billows and bellows: ‘Crisped leaves ‘And crimson sun ‘Embers are falling, ‘Fire is burning, ‘I’m your alarm,’ […]
I’d rather be a pirate ‘I don’t want to be a princess,’ The Princess Carlie said. ‘I’ve no wish to grow my hair out long; I’ll use a rope instead. I’ve no need to use these glassware shoes; I’d rather wear my clogs, And don’t even get me started On what’s wrong with kissing […]
I Will Be Brave I will go into the three bears’ house I won’t be frightened like a mouse. I will eat porridge from a spoon I won’t fear that they’ll be home soon. I will sit in this tiny chair Just to show that I don’t care. I won’t be scared and I […]
Australian Children’s Poetry 