Author Archives: australianchildrenspoetry

Who Does What? by Toni Newell

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A wasp, a worm
Which one does squirm
I do believe
It is the worm!
A fly, a mosquito
Which one does buzz
I do believe
The mosquito does.
A cat, a dog
Which one meows
I do believe
It’s the cat somehow
A hen, a rooster
Which one does crow
I believe it’s the rooster
In his morning show.
A horse, a cow
Which one does moo
I do believe
That the cow must do.
A sheep, a goat
Which one does baa
I do believe
It’s the sheep by far.

We all do have
Our different voices
But human’s can
Mimic all the noises.

Who Does What? by Toni Newell

Image by Pixabay

My clock’s cuckoo! by James Aitchison

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Tick-tick-tick-tock,

says my clock.

Tock-tock-tock-tick,

it sounds really sick.

Tick-tick-tock-tick,

is it running slow or quick?

Tock-tick-tick-tock,

what a silly clock! 

My clock’s cuckoo! by James Aitchison

Image by Pixabay

Frog watch (Nonet) by Jenny Erlanger

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Motionlessly, silently it tracks

the movements of a dragonfly

that hovers now in the reach

of a long, sticky tongue,

another victim

caught unawares

is conquered,

swallowed,

gone

Frog watch by Jenny Erlanger

Image by Pixabay

Devilish Billy Joe by Toni Newell

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Billy Joe is my best friend
Wears a collar, has four legs,
Follows me consistently
If there’s food he often begs.
We live in leafy Doncaster
In a small two-bedroom home
And because I have to work a lot
Billy Joe’s often left alone.
Whilst I’m away at the office
He has the run of the house
And often creates havoc
He’s not as quiet as a mouse.
The neighbours are not happy
When he barks and carries on
But there’s very little I can do
When working on the phone.
His devilish disposition
Gets him into lots of strife
By causing so much damage
Which he’s done all his short life.
So how can I fix this problem
I ask with nought in mind
What can I do to stop him
And a happy solution find.
But then I think of something
Should I find him a friend
Which would keep him occupied
And his destructiveness end.

I put my masterplan in action
Bring home Archer, a puppy
It appears that what I’ve done
Has made Billy Joe very happy.
They seem to get along quite well
And spend their time in play
Until they’re both exhausted
Crash on the couch and stay.
Archer has become
Billy Joe’s best friend
Bringing him home has been
A victory to this end.

Devilish Billy Joe by Toni Newell

Image by Pixabay

World Poetry Day 21st March

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March 21st was declared World Poetry Day by UNESCO in 1999. It celebrates the power of words.  Connecting our kaleidoscope of languages and cultures throughout history, how will you participate? What might you do, think or read to commemorate this day of diverse verse?

Brumbies (Nonet) by Linda Davidson

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Galloping through the bush, brumbies run

Led by the strong silver stallion

Glistening coats after rain

Pounding hooves flicking mud

Seven in the herd

A sight to see

Manes flying

Wild and 

Free

Brumbies by Linda Davidson

Image by Pexels

Leaf Litter by Michael Buckingham Gray

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I crunch on a leaf

that spiralled from a tree

that somersaulted down the street

that slept in a doorway

that heard the honks of traffic

that was swept away by a shopkeeper

that was picked up by a woman in a wheelchair

that was passed to a young man with pimples

that he dropped

at my feet

Leaf Litter by Michael Buckingham Gray

Photo of leaf. Taken by Michael Buckingham Gray

Where do I go? by James Aitchison

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I like to go where it’s slow,

where silence never ends,

where ancient mountains

become my best friends.

Where eagles nest,

I like to sit and just be,

where land has no limits

and where I am free.

Where do I go? by James Aitchison

The view from Pugilists’ Hill, Flinders Ranges. Photo by Ginette Pestana

A Long Way to the End of the Pool by Rachael Koch

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Today’s the day, our carnival.
We’ll race across the pool.
The sun is beating down on us
but the water will be cool.

I’m in my brand new swimming shorts.
I’ve got my goggles ready.
Imagine gold upon my chest!
My nerves are holding steady.

I line up at the starting blocks
with Ali, Sam and Tim.
I’m ready for the siren’s sound,
if only I could swim!  

A Long Way to the End of the Pool by Rachael Koch

Image by Pexels

Mid-Month Poetry Prompt

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Counting the syllables in each line of a poem is a great exercise for finding and feeling its rhythm and pattern. Remember, rhyming is only one of many ways that can make writing poetic.

This MID-MONTH PROMPT calls for a NONET on any topic of your choosing. This nine-line poem begins with 9 syllables in the first line, finishing with 1 on the last line … or it could be the other way round, starting with 1 syllable and ending with 9.

We’d love to receive your examples!