A Question of Space! with Teacher NOtes & Activities, by J.R.Poulter, 2020
Author Archives: australianchildrenspoetry
“Wattle I do?” by Diane Finlay
Leave a commentAcacia equisetifolia
Critically endangered – Northern Territory
I am a lonely little wattle shrub
my family name is Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
by various strange and wonderful ways I’m related to the pea.
Peas are plentiful
but my fellow family members dwindle by the day.
Acacia equisetifolia is critically endangered; so the scientists say
I’d really love to have a chat
calling out across the sandy ground, “Is anybody there?”
then hoping for an answer to float on through the humid air.
If anyone in the big wide world would like to visit me
this is where I’ll be,
Graveside Gorge
Kakadu National Park
in the Northern Territory.
I’ll put my yellow pom-pom blooms on show,
they’re a little like dandelion clocks you know.
You’ll find me in a woodland glade
of woollybutt and bloodwood trees;
they’re shady, kind and friendly
but far too big to be my family.
My seed pods need a fire to burst them into life,
a little one will do.
It rained a lot last night and I am so surprised to see,
where last season I popped a pod or two
a teeny tiny green shoot – a sprouting Mini-me.
© Diane Finlay
“Message in a bottle” by James Aitchison
Leave a commentMessage in a bottle
A message in a bottle,
Washed up by the sea,
Written by a mermaid,
Especially for me.
“I hope you’ll come and see me,”
That is what she wrote,
In beautiful handwriting
Upon her watery note.
“You’ll find me in the ocean,
“It’s really very clear:
“Latitude 15,
“And longitude just near.”
“Message in a bottle” by Toni Newell
Leave a commentMessage in a Bottle
A bottle washed up on the shore,
In front of me and there I saw,
A written message held therein,
And from my hair I took pin.
The bottle opened using strength,
Hairpin having sufficient length,
Slowly I pulled out the paper,
Intending to read it a little later.
I took it home to show my mother,
My father, sister and my brother.
Unfurled the paper and read aloud,
The words presented bold and proud.
“I’ve written this note just to see,
If someone finds it and rings me.
My number’s written at the end,
This invitation I extend.
I’m hoping to receive a call,
That would be phenomenal.”
“Misty Morning Meditation” by Monty Edwards
Leave a commentOne morning, on my balcony,
I missed the sight I mostly see:
The distant sea, seen normally,
Had disappeared quite totally!
As well, mist shrouded every tree
Except the tree most close to me.
It blossomed bright, defiantly.
That single tree encouraged me.
Just like that tree I want to be:
Not daunted by adversity.
Most mists are only temporary.
If not, then faith must carry me.
“Ahoy there, Corona” by James Aitchison
Leave a commentAhoy there, Corona
On the bad, bad ship Corona,
Captain Covid spies
People coming too close —
Oh what a lovely prize!
He calls, “Ahoy! Fresh treasure, lads,”
And his virus acts,
Attacking those amongst us
Where hygiene is too lax.
So let’s sink the bad Corona,
Captain Covid too,
Because I wish good health
For everyone like you!
“Name the Game (A Riddle)” by Monty Edwards
Leave a comment“Name the Game” by Monty Edwards is his 100th poem of the day since November 2015.
Congratulations and Thankyou for sharing your creativity with us.
My riddle is about a game, so see if you can guess its name.
Of course, I’ll give you many clues, but in the end, you’ll have to choose.
The game is played by day or night, but if at night you’ll need some light.
Play summer, winter, there’s no reason not to play in any season.
This game is played in many lands and players need to use their hands,
Although one hand would be enough, because this game’s not very rough.
It can’t be called a contact sport, and never needs a field or court.
So do not think you’ll use a ball, for that would not be right at all.
Out of doors or play inside – play wherever you decide.
Play in almost any place. This game doesn’t need much space.
Players always move in turn and there are other rules to learn.
There is no need to use your feet; that’s not the way that you compete.
This game does not have any aces, nor any Jacks with funny faces,
But players each have king and queen, while cards are nowhere to be seen!
Most find it best to share a table, but please make sure your table’s stable!
This rule must never be ignored, since you’ll place pieces on a board.
But boards are used in many a game: can you give my game a name?
Now since this riddle’s almost done, I’ll give a clue – another one:
The pieces number thirty two. Sixteen of them will be for you.
Another player has the rest and you two play to see who’s best!
Your pieces form a fighting force, though blood is never shed, of course
And though a kind of war you play, no-one is injured in the fray,
Since mostly you will think and plan, then make each move as best you can.
But win or lose or even draw, you’ll want to play this game some more.
It’s time for you to make your guess. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This riddle’s answer must be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Australian Children’s Poetry 