The Garden Within
There is a garden in my heart
where beauty grows in fits and starts.
Where smiles are petals from the flowers
bestowed by others from their bowers.
Nutritious hope reaps seeds to feed
my spirit for its every need.
With gratitude I’ll reach my goal
and touch the island of my soul.
SPUD
After days of
rain and flood
it’s hard work
spading spuds
in mud –
clods and sods
flung with a thud.
Dug up only
one dud spud.
Teaching tip:
Ask students to bring cuttings of spring flowers.
Then invite the class to sing and clap to the tune of
“A-weema-weh… The lion sleeps tonight”.
The Lily Sleeps Tonight
A-daffo–dil, a-daffo–dil, a-daffo-dil, a-daffo-dil
A-dah-li-a, a-dah-li-a, a-dah-li-a, a-dah-li-a
A-hya–cinth, a-hya-cinth, a-hya-cinth, a-hya-cinth
A-butter-cup, a-butter-cup, a–butter-cup, a-butter-cup
In the garden, the mighty garden
The lily sleeps tonight
In the garden, the quiet garden
Its bloom is a delight
Ca–me–lli–as, ca–me–lli–as, ca–me–lli–as, ca–me–lli–as
Ra–nun–cu–lus, ra–nun–cu–lus, ra–nun–cu–lus, ra–nun–cu–lus
A-tulip-too, a-tulip-too, a–tulip-too, a-tulip-too
A-daffo–dil, a-daffo–dil, a-daffo-dil, a-daffo-dil…
The Cat-Sock Dilemma
Hey diddle-diddle
a sock round the middle
will make her wiggle,
wobble and squiggle.
She can’t walk straight with that.
A slick little trick
that’s painless and quick.
There’s surely no harm in that?
We giggle, she wriggles,
goes higgledy-piggle
until she gets to lie flat!
Winter’s clearly over
Everywhere are signs of spring.
See, the grass is greener.
Now see every living thing
(Except, of course, for me.)
Enjoy the fragrant springtime breeze.
(Zooming bees don’t suffer
Every morning’s springtime sneeze)
Buds in spring are bursting.
Enhancing gardens everywhere.
Early blooming jasmine
Sends its perfume on the air.
Blossoms make a carpet
Underfoot as petals fall.
Zephyrs fill with perfume.
Zyrtec doesn’t work at all.
Wriggling your way through life
Overturning soil, helping our environment
Rarely making the news, but
Making a difference.
Australian Children’s Poetry 