Killi Koala
Killi Koala
sleeps most of the day
on his mother’s back
as she scampers away
up and down eucalypts
the whole night through
finding special leaves
for them both to chew
© Katherine Gallagher
Author Archives: australianchildrenspoetry
“In My Heart” by Kylie Covark
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There’s a thank you in my heart
That’s big enough to burst apart,
And bright enough to dim the stars,
And loud enough to hear from Mars,
And grand enough to meet a king,
And sweet enough for birds to sing.
There’s a thank you in my heart
So big, in fact, it’s off the chart.
But for those who risk it all,
My thank you still seems much too small.
“My Pet” by Louise Pocock
Leave a commentMy Pet
I beg my mum for my very own pet.
She winks at me and says “you bet!”
But – it must not purr
Or have soft fur.
It must not bark
Or like the park.
No pets with a beak
That tweet (or shriek).
No pets that peak
Or sneak or squeak.
It can’t have hair;
Can’t need much care;
Can’t be boring;
Mind the flooring!
At the store I search until dark…
Mum’s going to love my new pet shark!
“Valentines Day and all that nonsense” by James Aitchison
Leave a commentRoses are red,
Violets are blue,
Your nose is too big
And your feet are too.
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Your shoes always smell
Like elephant poo!
Roses are red,
Dandelions stink,
I think you belong
In the kitchen sink!
Will you please be
My Valentine?
Your answer is NO?
Well, maybe next time.
“A Red Cross summer” by James Aitchison
Leave a commentA RED CROSS SUMMER
They’ve been to every war,
Defying guns, saving lives,
We’ve seen them everywhere.
The red cross on a field of white,
(The Swiss flag in reverse),
The Red Cross comes to save and serve,
Through bushfires, floods, and worse.
Where would we be without them
When hope is on the line?
The Red Cross — always there,
The Red Cross — yours and mine!
Teacher Notes
Take time to learn about the Red Cross. They have a rich history and have helped many people and groups in many different situations.
Here is a link to a film clip about the Red Cross in Australia
”It’s a good story”
“Out of Everything Bad Comes Something Good” by Toni Newell
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Our hearts were nearly broken,
Tears welled in our eyes,
As bush and houses burned,
And we all realised,
That the fires were taking hold,
And there was no relief,
The devastation continued,
Almost beyond belief.
Fire-fighters fought on,
As smoke filled the air,
Townships evacuated,
Devastation everywhere.
And in the aftermath,
When things had settled down,
Stock was taken of the loss,
Its magnitude profound.
But out of everything bad,
Comes something good,
And from these fires,
Came brotherhood.
Australians united,
With people from afar,
And many gave generously,
To help relieve the scars.
“I love my Dad” by Toni Newell
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My dad is a fireman,
I’m as proud as I can be,
When I grow up in many years,
That’s what I want to be.
He’s out there fighting fires,
Protecting property,
And when I finally grow up,
Well, that is going to be me.
He’s very dedicated,
Goes out there to help others,
Along with his special crew,
Who are as one, like brothers.
They’re selfless and enabling,
As they carry out their calling,
Trained and compassionate,
Stopping the fire from sprawling.
And that may work in cities,
But in the country it is bad,
Containment can be onerous,
And consequences sad.
It is a dangerous environment,
Where a fire can take its own,
Leaving a trail of destruction,
Including families, animals and home.
My dad encounters danger,
Nearly every single day,
And he is my true hero,
There’s little else I can say.
“ The Koalas Come Back” by James Aitchison
Leave a commentTHE KOALAS COME BACK
One by one you’ll see them come back
And climb to the top of the tree,
Those cuddly koalas we love,
They’ll come home — just you wait and see!
Some nursed back to health by humans,
So they can be happy and free.
It might take a little more time
Till the bush comes to life anew,
But once all those juicy leaves grow
Koalas have something to chew.
Then we’ll say, “Welcome home, Blinky!
Australian Children’s Poetry 