“Kowloon — 9 Dragons” by Zachary Downie

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Here is a poem by Zachary Downie. He is a 14 year old Australian expat and currently studying at West Island School in Hong Kong. Zac is Robyn Youl’s Grandson and has written a poem about the region of Hong Kong known as Kowloon and the legend and history behind it.

 

1278,

There was a boy called Bing, he was 8.

He had just been crowned emperor of a doomed dynasty.

We see a boy, his subjects saw a dragon.

His subjects saw mountains, he saw fellow dragons.

He saw 8 dragons;

He saw 8 friends;

He saw 8 guardians to help him rule his kingdom.

He spoke to them:

First, P’u-Lao, my noble protector;

Alert me to danger.

Second, Ch’iu-Niu, I need music in my court;

You are my musician.

Third, Pi-Has, my lucky scholar;

Help me to learn, my friend.

Sometimes, I am lonely;

Stand by me, Pa-Hsia, in times of need.

My guardian, Chao-Feng;

Watch all that is holy: my temples and my lands.

Kublai Khan draws closer;

Douse the flames of war, Chih Wen.

Suan-Ni, keep my subjects at my side;

Keep my courtiers loyal, keep my soldiers strong.

Yai-Tzu, I am only 8 and yet I lead my people into battle;

Protect me from harm, or at least don’t let it hurt too much.

And I, Pi-Kau;

I will listen to my subjects.

I will settle their quarrels.

I will hear them and sometimes listen.

I am 8, I can do this.

1279,

Kublai Khan had won.

Bing’s dynasty is defeated.

His loyal general, Lu Xiufu, picked up the boy and leapt into the sea.

An honourable death for a boy who named a city.

Kowloon, today;

8 mountains guard a sleeping boy:

The 9th dragon.

“The Queue” by Jan Darling

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THE QUEUE

‘Oh please let me in’ said the bear who was grizzly

‘I’m doing a show, I don’t want it frizzly.’

He tugged at his hair, that fussy old bear

‘I’ve just had it dyed, it used to be fair’.

Those waiting in line just smiled at each other

Ev’ryone happy to help their brother.

 

A worm who was third from the start of the queue

Was shivering hard and fast turning blue

‘What’s wrong with this bus? It’s broken down?

Will anyone ever get into the town?’

The town was twinkling and bright with its light

Some in the queue were starting to fight. 

 

A big bird with a bandage around one wing

Started to dance the highland fling

A pelican said to a stork ‘It’s outrageous,

I do hope this madness is not contagious.’

The stork looked at him squarely and quietly said

‘I wish I were home and tucked into my bed’.

 

Three canaries were singing (they’d been to a dance)

The song they were singing was written in France

They yodelled and trilled all over the scales

They even tried singing the song of the whales.

They ordered some orange and cherry ice cream

Enough to feed a whole basketball team.

 

The ice cream arrived and the queue they went crazy

Except for the piglets – they’re terribly lazy

They wanted some oak nuts, acorns they’re called,

They said they grew hair and no-one was bald

Maybe it’s true that nuts cover the scalp

But nobody there needed that kind of help.

 

The crowd suddenly hushed and fell into silence

Somewhere behind was an outbreak of violence 

A basketball team had arrived with some melons

Those in the crowd believed they were felons

(people who steal from others their treasures)

Getting caught redhanded was one of their pleasures.

 

The whole scene looked stupid to Harry the Horse

Who was trying to study the subject of Morse

He tapped and he paused and waited for action

His hoof immune from outer distraction

He tapped dah dah dit, di dah, dah and dit

If it worked he would make a quick dash for it.

 

Did you hear of that Harry’s ultimate fate?

His message was read and – opened the gate

Harry leapt forth and came in number nine

And met a young filly he thought divine

When Harry proposed she promised to tryst

‘Cos Harry had asked with a flick of his wrist.

 

Well you might think that this is all rot

That all horses can do is gallop and trot

But Harry believed he could dominate fate

By placing his faith in the power to create

A message he’d sent by dah and by dit

Had stretched his talent and used his wit.

 

Dah dah dit, tapped in Morse will give you a ‘g’

Di dah gives you ‘a’, dah and dit ‘t’ and ‘e’

So Harry the Horse repeated his offer

Confirmed he was humble and empty his coffer

But Tilly the Filly was thrilled with his Morse

And she happily neighed ‘Oh Harry, of course’.

 

Sorry I am, about this diversion

I have an aversion to total immersion

The queue got itself rattled 

They all tittle-tattled

The bus arrived late and was slow to unload

But who jumped out first?  Of course – the toad.


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“The Octopossum” by James Aitchison

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The octopossum

 

The octopossum lives by the sea;

no marine creature’s stranger than he!

A bushy tail and eight long arms,

with one big eye to complete his charms.

 

Even mighty whales avoid this beast;

they take one look and head nor’-nor’-east.

No shark swims near the octo-p.,

for fear the latter eats it for tea.

 

The octopossum can be gentle,

but one thing always drives him mental:

to avoid his rage and his grief,

we must save the Great Barrier Reef!

 

“Nature’s Monuments” by Monty Edwards

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Nature’s Monuments

 

“The fire came through in ‘sixty four,” the wizened farmer said.

“At first it headed for the house, but turned this way instead.

The plain back then was thick with trees,

Their drought-dry leaves caught fire with ease

And all too soon each tree became 

Fresh fuel for a fearsome flame!”

 

He paused as memory’s embers glowed and then he spoke again.

“That lifeless pair seen over there are all that now remain.

Since, at the time, more fires were feared,

The land round here was promptly cleared,

But those two trees remind us all

That here once stood a forest tall.”

 

“Christmas Time” by Carolyn Cockburn

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Christmas time

 

Christmas means the gathering of our enormous family

When we always enjoy special time together happily.

We welcome all in our family brood

Babies new, cousins kind and uncles rude!

The presents are stacked high under the tree

Little ones collect their gifts gleefully.

The table is set; the drinks are on ice,

The red wine is mulled with a touch of spice.

Food is loaded to the brim of each plate

Make sure to tuck in before it’s too late!

Then as quick as a wink, the day’s over again.

The dishes are all washed and left to drain.

Then it’s time for a nap, maybe a swim or a game,

Before the planning for next year begins all over again!

“Sweet Dreams” by Louise McCarthy

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Sweet Dreams

Starry night, a quarter moon.

Owls and frogs recite a tune.

Listen, listen…

What do they say?

Sweet dreams, sweet dreams…

Sweet dreams they pray.

 

“Samuel Emanuel” by Julie Dascoli

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Samuel Emanuel.

 

Samuel Emanuel didn’t like much.

Samuel Emanuel wouldn’t eat lunch.

He refused to eat his toast,

And the thing he hates the most, 

Is the healthy cheesy sandwich in his lunch box.

 

Samuel Emanuel didn’t like much.

Samuel Emanuel didn’t eat lunch.

He didn’t like to wash his hair,

Or indeed to ever share,

And when bedtime comes at night 

He’s hiding outside.

 

Samuel Emanuel didn’t like much.

Samuel Emanuel wouldn’t eat lunch.

He doesn’t like to pack his toys, 

And he’s mean to other boys,

And when dad says time for home

He’s on the rooftop.

 

Samuel Emanuel’s dad was getting sad.

Samuel Emanuel’s dad was going mad.

He threw a tanty on the floor,

And banged his head upon the door.

When Samuel he saw this he was so shocked!

 

Samuel Emanuel didn’t like much,

Samuel Emanuel wouldn’t eat lunch.

When he saw his dad so mad,

And he started feeling bad. 

He decided it was time to STOP IT NOW!

 

Samuel Emanuel didn’t ask much,

Samuel Emanuel ate his whole lunch.

He was happy to eat toast,

And the thing he likes the most

Is the healthy, cheesy sandwich in his lunch box.   

 

 

  

“Christmas Quest” by Monty Edwards

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Christmas Quest

 

Oh where can I find him?

It’s now Christmas Day.

It seems that we’ve lost him

Somewhere on the way.

 

I thought we might find him

At shops in the mall,

Or at Christmas parties,

But few signs at all.

 

I can’t see him hiding

There under the tree,

Amongst all the gifts

For my family and me!

 

When we sang all the carols

We called out his name,

But soon we forgot

Why it was that he came:

 

For he lived here among us

To teach and to guide

And to pay for our wrongs

Through the death that he died.

 

This Jesus now lives,

So the gospels declare.

Young and old who still seek him

Find this Saviour’s right there.

‘‘Twas the night before Christmas” by Louise McCarthy

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Twas the night before Christmas

And all through the town,

Not a motel was vacant,

Not a place to lie down.

 

A couple whose baby was just about due,

Stood at the end of a very long queue.

A wise man suggested to ask at “the stables”,

“It’s an airbnb – the owner is Mabel.

 

“Why thank you! “Said Joseph – the father to be,

His wife who was Mary said “Let’s get the key!”

But the guests who were staying were mooing and braying.

Joseph exclaimed “This needs some explaining”.

 

Mary looked up to the heavens above,

An angel appeared and said “Hark darling love,

It’s an Airbnb: no windows, no door,

Though it does have a charm that you just can’t ignore.”

 

So Mary and Joseph decided to stay…

 

A baby arrived the very next night.

And above the stable a star shone so bright,

A single star rating – for this cosy dwelling ,

The start a story so very compelling.