Author Archives: australianchildrenspoetry

Poem of the Day

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At the Park

 

Great sticks in hand

we marched along

in lines as straight as roads

heading to the forest

where trees stand tall in rows

 

A sudden halt

I ground my stick

look back way o’er my shoulder

he follows,  s l o w

stick trailing now

behind my little brother

 

“Come on!” I cry

to speed him up

one last green stretch to cover

not knowing what the forest holds

it’s best we stayed together

 

He caught up fast

stick raised up now

and pointed like a sword

quietly we crept along

eyes peeled as we moved forward

 

tip-toe

 

tip-toe

 

tip-toe

 

tip –

 

We stop again

feet poised and still

and listen to the breeze

it brings the sounds of something

that lives within these trees

 

We feel it getting closer

hot breath and heavy steps

sniffing those who trespass

growling

then he leapt!

 

The fury of the dragon

was felt in flames of red

firing from his toothy mouth

smoke swirling round his head

 

We squeal as terror finds us

deep in this tree-lined forest

swords waving ‘round

as high-pitched cries

and beating wings surround us

 

Running hard

we stumble t’wards

the lit end of the path

an exit from the danger

a dragon’s angry wrath

 

Feet flying now

we cross the grass

and flop onto the mat

relieved, and breathing hard

we laugh … should we go back?

 

© Kristina Hoy

 

About the poet

Previously a full-time high school Science teacher, I now spend most of my time with my two young children. My poems are usually based on nature, written with the intent to encourage kids to explore, learn and connect with the outside world.

 

Contact Details:

km.hoy01@gmail.com

www.sandcastlesandskies.blogspot.com.au

 

 

 

 

Poem of the Day

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Naked Nonsense: Guundie’s Ridiculous Rhymes

The Big Release

 

Today will be full moon.

I feel a little jumpy,

eat candy with a spoon.

My pet is also grumpy –

the fickle armadillo.

He hums a ghastly tune

and rips my finest pillow.

I feed him a chocolate prune,

dress him in his favourite coat,

tie him to a hot balloon

and set him free to float.

 

Soon he’ll land, will run and roam

and I’m glad he left my home!

 

© Guundie Kuchling

Poem of the Day

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Rhyming Curse

I think my problem’s getting worse.

My every thought is thought in verse.

This habit’s now become a curse.

It happens all the time.

 

Each word inside me rattles round.

It plays with pattern, rhythm, sound

and won’t come out until it’s found

a perfect one to rhyme.

 

I wish I knew the way to mend

this most excruciating trend.

Just when will this affliction end?

What happens if it grows?

 

It’s shown no signs of stopping yet.

If I go on like this I bet

my brain will very soon forget

the way to think in prose.

 

© Jenny Erlanger

 

 

 

 

Poem of the Day

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Toot! Toot!

TOOT TOOT!
I’ve lost my two front toofs,
I mean my two front teefs.
I toot toot when I talk talk now,
I whistle when I speak.

TOOT TOOT!
Watch out, you’ll get a drenching,
When I say my th’s and sh’es.
‘Round the words I spray and lisp,
As they slip through my soaked lips.

TOOT TOOT!
I just adore the way,
My gummy new mouth feels.
All soft and smooth with jagged bits,
Where new teeth poke right through.

TOOT TOOT!
I can do lots of tricks,
Like fill my gaps with choppy-sticks,
Or squeeze out custard through the spaces,
Making wacky, no teeth faces.

TOOT TOOT!
Will I miss my tooting,
When my big teeth come on down?
Will I have to act grown-up,
And stop clowning around?

No!
While I can I’ll toot my heart out,
Toot tooting my own tune.
I’ll enjoy my toofless yoofulness,
I’ll grow-up all too soon.

TOOT TOOT!

© Michelle Lewry

Poem of the Day

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The Echidna

An echidna passed across a track
heading towards a special snack

A naturalist muttered, ‘What a turn!
about this creature, I’ve got to learn.’

He kneeled to take a closer look
the echidna swung with strong right hook.

And it was such a heavy clout
it nearly knocked the watcher out.

The echidna curled into a prickly ball
snarling, ‘I don’t like you at all.’

The naturalist cried and mused upon
what it was that he’d done wrong.

He only wanted to see first hand
the weirdest creature in the land.

The echidna uncurled and stalked away
grumbling at his ruined day.

And idiots too dumb to know
you always let echidnas go –

About their business digging holes
and eating ants from salad bowls.

Or snuffling around a great big mound
Where tasty termites are always found.

To spare echnida watchers pain,
the moral of this tale is plain.

Always remember it’s very rude
to keep echidnas from their food.

© M. Pearce
mpearceau@gmail.com

Funding Application

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The design of Australian Children’s Poetry blog site was the work of talented children’s author, Helen Ross. For months I have been trying to find funding from organisations to pay Helen for the considerable assistance she has rendered, including help after the post went up last month. More recently I applied to the National Children’s Book Council of Australia for funding. This is the thrust of their response:

“While we all agreed your project has distinct merit and we congratulate you on your vision and your passion, the Board is not in a financial position to support any external requests for funding. 

“The National CBCA body is currently in a transition phase in developing its own financial security for its operations, this is not a small task I can assure you. Board members are working extremely long hours as volunteers themselves. We can certainly understand your position of wanting to create wonderful far-reaching projects that require funding—we’re in the same position as yourself in this regard.

“I can say the National Board is certainly looking forward to the day when we can offer this type of support; that would mean we have reached a significant point in our own development. 

“We certainly wish you all the very best, as we know you have similar goals to ours.”

Naturally I am disappointed with the CBCA Board’s decision, but Helen  has had to be paid. As a result I have paid her out of my own pocket.

If you would like to help defray my costs, please do so. You can contact me, at dibates@outlook.com and I will give you banking details. Your financial help would be greatly appreciated.

Dianne Bates,

Website convenor

http://www.enterprisingwords.com.au

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIVA LA POETRY REVOLUTION!

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Today I have sent the following email to numerous children’s poets and poetry lovers:

‘Through the new blog site, Australian Children’s Poetry (which now has over 8,500 hits), I am trying to revitalise poetry in Australia, starting with poetry in schools. You might have read https://australianchildrenspoetry.com.au/articles/why-are-booksellers-afraid-of-childrens-poetry/ and the responses from poet Stephen Whiteside and myself, Di Bates.

Here’s a thought: if all of us with a love of and connection to Australian children’s poetry united, we might just put poetry and Australian children, teachers, publishers and booksellers on the same page. United, we can be a powerful force! We can bring poetry into schools and into bookshops. We can exert pressure on organisations such as the CBCA to fund prizes, competitions and/or otherwise promote poetry.

So, what I’m asking you today is for you to consider approaching school/s to offer to present a poetry reading. Have you done this before? Why not now? Then, send an article to me at dibates@outlook.com about your experience and the responses from children and teachers.

Your articles will be posted on the Australian Children’s Poetry blog site and then the CBCA and Australian children’s publishers will be notified that there is the beginning of a groundswell…

Am I being too optimistic? What do you think? Do you want to be part of the Poetry Revolution?’

Subsequent to sending this email, I’ve had an undertaking from our Children’s Laureate Jackie French that she would blog it on her website www.childrenslaureate.org.au and post it in her newsletter. (Thanks, wonderful Jackie!)

Poet and verse novelist Sherryl Clark wrote that she is undertaking a May Gibbs residency in Brisbane in May, part of which is presenting workshops in schools. Initially, when Sherryl suggested poetry workshops, the State Library thought that maybe there wouldn’t be enough interest and that she should offer story writing as well. Sherryl recently received a draft schedule and four of the five schools requested poetry!

You don’t have to be a poet to present a poetry reading! If you are keen to promote poetry in schools, find a half hours’ worth of poems (preferably Australian) that you think children would love to hear recited, and then contact your local school and offer to do a reading.

Become a part of the Australian children’s poetry revolution!

Poem of the Day

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Naked Nonsense: Guundie’s Ridiculous Rhymes

 

  The Edible Swarm

 

By my door are massive trees,

swinging in a storm,

dropping lots of peas –

a gigantic swarm.

It comes in – the peas have keys –

and I squash them just like fleas,

get them on the stove to warm,

put them on a plate,

and eat dinner, thanks to fate!

 

Guundie Kuchling, born in Salzburg, gained her Master of Fine Arts in Vienna and arrived in Australia in 1987 with her husband Gerald, a world turtle expert.

Guundie has published 11 picture books and exhibits widely: oil paintings, water colours, lino prints, and sculptures. Her interests include throat singing, native wildlife, ear rings, growing vegetables, dry felting, labyrinths, and encouraging others to live creatively.

 

Poem of the Day

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Sea song

 

I took my teddy down to the sea

Thinking what fun it was bound to be,

But he took one step and his paws got all wet

He doesn’t want to go for a swim just yet.

 

I took my budgie down to the sea,

Thinking what fun it was bound to be,

But he took one look and he flew away,

He just won’t go to the sea today.

 

I took my puppy down to the sea,

Hoping she’d love it just like me.

She barked at the waves, then ran in to play,

I think we’ll stay at the sea all day!

 

© Sophie Masson

Poem of the Day

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THE FAMILY CAT

 

Nestled on my lap

in a crevassed curve

to his liking

sharp edges unseen

body rounded

relaxed

rested

like a freshly placed pudding

plumped yet pleasing

to the eye

 

I feel the warmth

the beat

the motor mechanics

within

 

Purrrfectly Purrring…

Purrrfectly Purrring…

Purrrfectly Purrring…

 

I smooth his soft silkiness

and see

sleepy slits

slowly open

to reveal

 

green

golden

globes

gleaming

in contrast to black beauty

 

His eyes look into mine

adoringly…

speaking to my soul…

I trust you to care.

 

© Dianne Ellis

Throughout my life, I have enjoyed the company of cats in my home.   I find the majority of cats are very soulful creatures, particularly the pure black ones who gracefully prance around taking confident ownership of property and loved ones.

One day I was sitting down writing when my gorgeous black Shadow effortlessly leapt onto my lap and settled there, as he always did.

It was only a moment in time but I felt the need to share my feelings and highlight Shadow’s special silent message through this poem. I hope you enjoy my words.

I have written poetry all my life, however in recent years, my love of writing has steered me towards children’s stories. Rusty Rumble and his Smelly Socks and Rusty Rumble’s Day at the Beach are my first published picture books and excerpts from my books can be seen on www.diannellisbooks.com.au