Eee-ew!
Ishy, squishy tomato reeney;
Splat!
Right on my face.
Oohey, gooey tomato rooney
All over the place.
Tomato gunge in my hair,
Dangling off my shoe.
Up my nose,
Behind my ears.
What can I do?
Slushy, mushy tomato pulp
Flying through the air.
La Tomatina in full swing
This means TOMATO WARFARE!
Image from Pexels
Jump on a cloud; let’s go for a race.
Mine’s an elephant with a smiling face.
Yours is a dolphin leaping over the waves.
He seems a bit wild; I hope he behaves!
Let’s race to the rainbow, glistening with light.
We’ll count all the stripes – so fun and so bright!
Then leap onto colour, floating down with a flutter
To land in the prize – a pot of golden butter.
Artwork: STARING AT CLOUDS by Jennifer Barrand
https://www.jennibarrand.com/
Poem inspired by August Picture Poetry Prompt.
This old, old tree
looks weird to me.
Its bark is mossy,
its lichen glossy.
If I had time
I could climb
to its top
and there I’d stop —
under the sky,
up so high.
Photo by Ginette Pestana
A famous word in the dictionary
one that’s exceedingly long
renowned for many reasons
including a famous song
Originally college slang
coined by students in 31’
meaning extremely wonderful
they spoke it out in fun
Next came Mary Poppins
released in 64’
the word in song a legend
quickly woven into lore
It’s believed to be an expression
for all that’s fabulous they say
singing it extremely loud
will brighten up your day
“Can you say it backwards?”
Mary Poppins once said with a wink
Isn’t that going a bit too far?
What do you actually think?
Journey of a Word
Image from Pixabay
“Terrific!”
This word
is rather heroic.
Rooted in
TERROR,
it’s far from bucolic.
It started out
living with
FEAR and DREAD,
but chose to be
BRAVE and HAPPY
instead!
The Journey of a Word
Image from Pixabay
It’s a rugged, wild wilderness
with ancient cliffs and rocks,
endless skies of brilliant blue
and finches fly in flocks.
Where the Desert Pea blooms
its flowers red and black;
sprouting up when raindrops fall
way off the beaten track.
They’re practical by nature
resilient and strong,
take pride in where they love to live
though distances are long.
While working in The Outback
on sheep or cattle station,
their warmth and witty humour
are the heartbeat of our nation.
When living far away from town
and all we take for granted,
should injury or illness strike
The Outback’s less enchanted.
In days of old and torn between
to travel or to wait,
would damp the dust with salty tears
when help came way too late.
Inspired by a letter
and seeing those in need,
kind and caring Reverend Flynn
prepared to plant the seed.
Wings would give them speedy flight;
too many lives were lost
for people of the great Outback,
‘twas time to curb the cost.
So at last it came to be;
more interest surely grew.
Bright sparks came from all around
to share in what they knew.
Flynn’s dream for Outback folk
was fuelled by those who dare,
then “Victory” over distance flew
first patients through the air!
Urgent calls would not be heard
in situations dire.
Precious time forever lost
by words along the wire.
A clever plan soon began
to save the darkest hour;
the Doctor’s voice, a faster choice
with Traeger’s Pedal Power!
The Service grew with changing times
to what we have today.
If Flynn could share a word or two,
I wonder what he’d say?
“ We’re helping people way Outback
exactly as we should.”
and maybe with a dash of pride
“I think it’s pretty good.”
Come and see the splendid hues
of sunset and sunrise,
the silent still of nighttime
‘neath clear and twinkling skies.
These days have greater safety now
for all who come Outback.
Our Flying Doctor’s on the wing
way off the beaten track!
Photo from Royal Flying Doctor Service image library
Author’s note: For your understanding, the line “Inspired by a letter” refers to a letter that Reverend John Flynn received from a young medical student during World War 1. He had the idea of an aerial medical service. Reverend John Flynn was a visionary man who was very aware of tragic medical outcomes in The Outback. He was the driver behind getting medical care to Outback people. “Victory” is the name of the first aircraft to undertake transport of patients/doctors to The Outback. “With Traeger’s Pedal Power” refers to the improvement in communication between the service and Outback people. Prior to this invention (two-way radio) emergencies were communicated along telegraph wires which was very slow.
I went to Sherwood Forest,
in search of Robin Hood.
I imagined he was watching me
as I wandered through the wood.
Then came a flight of arrows
and I heard the Sheriff’s men;
the ring of swords and battle
resounded through the glen.
But how I was mistaken,
only ghosts are here to thrill,
for Robin Hood’s a memory —
a legend living still.
A very English forest. Photo by Ginette Pestana
By day you see gnomes standing still.
At night a different role they fill.
Without their care and helping hands
All gardens would be barren lands.
They go about their tasks with glee
Requiring total privacy.
All was well till William Soames
Stayed up one night and saw the gnomes.
Then gnome-observing fast became
His newest hobby, like a game.
He hunted out their hidden places
Where they played and washed their faces.
Wrote up notes on what they wore…
The gnomes, annoyed, began to roar:
‘He must be stopped! This is quite wrong
We don’t like being spied upon!
Why does he probe and pry and peer?
We cannot work when he is near.
Can’t wash the roses, shoo the bugs
Protect the plants from snails and slugs.
Our secret work is secret, not
The business of some human tot!’
After much deliberation
Argument and altercation
The gnomes decided what to do.
‘He needs to understand our view!’
Into the house that night they crept
And onto William’s bed they leapt.
A spell was cast, quick as a wink.
The sleeping boy began to shrink.
Was horrified when he woke up
The size of a small drinking cup.
Angry gnomes tried to explain
Why Will’s surveillance caused them pain.
‘Leave us be! Beg our pardon!
Else we’ll abandon this fine garden!’
Fists were shaken, tears were shed.
Before he was returned to bed.
Later, now his normal size,
He told his Mum and Dad some lies
But not the truth of where he’d been
Or what he’d heard and what he’d seen.
Or that he’d learnt more spying would
Shrink him again — this time for good!
Will binned his notes, surprising all.
And took up playing basketball.
Photo taken by Linda Davidson
In the Spanish town of Buñol, La Tomatina is a festival where the biggest and messiest FOOD FIGHT takes place on the last Wednesday of August when people throw tomatoes at each other. Have you got a funny or messy story about food to share? In Australia, August is recognised as POETRY MONTH. Can you combine the two somehow? If not, we’re still delighted to receive your poems on other topics!
Send your poetic inspirations to Linda Davidson:
Date prompts include:
Picture Prompt:
Artwork: STARING AT CLOUDS by Jenni Barrand
It’s a tick-tock clocka,
or that’s the word it used to be:
Let’s play the bells on the glockenspiel.
The bells would clang
for the missionary monks,
and the word travelled ’round
with its clocka sounds.
A clock is a clanger
that hangs in the steeple.
Later, cloak comes from clock,
like a bell-coat for people.
So, the word for bells pealing,
cloaks secrets, concealing
that clock is a contranym
– its very own antonym.
Image from Pixabay
Australian Children’s Poetry 