Pat Simmons is passionate about children’s literature, especially poetry. She has worked with primary age children for many years in both Out of School Hours Care and museum settings. She has also worked with pre-school children in child care settings and as the instigator of the under 5s program, Mini Mariners, at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Pat’s poems have been published in anthologies and children’s literary magazines. Her poems and short stories have won competitions in Australia and the UK.
Poems by Pat Simmons
The Visit
Cautiously
creeping
down
the stairs,
carefully avoiding the creaks,
we stop
and take each other’s hand.
At the bottom
we tiptoe,
trembling
towards the door.
Almost afraid to breathe
we slowly,
gently,
push it open.
Beneath the twinkling tree lights
sit the gifts.
‘He’s been’, we whisper,
‘He’s been.’
© Pat Simmons
Trim
I’m a black cat
a special cat
a ship’s cat.
I was born on the Reliance
in 1799.
Of all my mother’s kittens
I was the one most fine!
I’m a black cat,
a special cat
a ship’s cat.
I have four snow-white paws
and a white star on my chest.
There are many cats on board this ship.
The sailors like me best.
I’m a black cat
a special cat
a ship’s cat.
When it’s time for dinner
I don’t eat with other cats.
I sit at table with the men.
I don’t care for rats.
I have a special friend
and Matthew Flinders is his name.
He has called me Trim.
I think together we’ll find fame.
I’m a black cat
a special cat
a ship’s cat.
Matthew is a clever man.
He’s sailed all round this land.
He’s given it a name
and that’s Australia – how grand!
Perhaps you have a cat at home.
Is it as fine as me?
Would it like to come on board
and sail upon the sea?
With a black cat
a special cat
a ship’s cat.
© Pat Simmons
Twiggy
Stick insects are so very thin
but will insist on shedding skin,
and even when they grow much bigger
still maintain their sylph-like figure.
© Pat Simmons
Iggy
An impressive, aggressive iguana
while eating his breakfast banana
slipped on the skin
went into a spin
and ended up flying to Ghana.
© Pat Simmons
I like it!
Yo it’s awesome I used trim for my kids