A rambling path
I chose to take,
until at last it led me to
a secret magic lake.
Trees formed walls
on every side,
and there a little bridge
I spied.
It crossed the moat
to a fortress green,
where adventures waited —
perhaps a submarine?
I closed my eyes
and made a wish
that my backyard
could look like this!
Teacher’s note: This lake is located in Red Cow Farm, Sutton Forest, in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. The farm boasts a series of different garden “rooms”.
stretch out your toes,
as far as it goes!
let your long fingers
out, so each one lingers…
breathe from down low,
let the good air flow!
jump like the stars,
or leap over the bars!
lie down on the mat
and arch like a cat!
or extend a leg or arm,
and sway slow like a charm!
stretch every good muscle
slooow…among others’ hustle –
don’t forget to drink water,
and cooling down after!
to get fit needs routine
to get muscley and lean –
whether morn or afternoon,
please do come again soon!
Picture a pretty villa
built with Tuscan stone,
sitting in an olive grove
with lemons nearby grown.
The skies are puffed with cloud,
the wooded hills are steep,
and in the afternoon
the people love to sleep.
The province paints your dreams
with ancient hilltop towns,
whose battlements stood guard
for many noble crowns.
From far away resounding,
a church bell chimes the hour,
its drowsy notes a-floating
from a lonely tower.
Teacher’s note: This villa is located in the village of Montanare, close by the enchanting hilltop city of Cortona. Florence (in Italian, Firenze) is the capital of Tuscany, whose other famous cities include Siena and Pisa.
The rain is dancing down the street,
across the park and up the lane.
It’s teeming where I stand to meet
the clickety-clackety morning train.
The rain is hammering on the rooves
and causing such a fuss.
It’s drenching where I stand to meet
the braking quaking bus.
The rain is splashing on the ground
creating puddles deep.
To get to where I need to be
I’ve got to hop and leap.
The rain is filling all the creeks.
The gutters run with foam.
It’s wet day lunch at school today,
I think I’ll just stay home.
Getting sick of summer?
I found just the spot
to cool off really fast
when you’re feeling hot.
The water’s like a mirror,
instead of sand there’s snow;
but how deep is the lake?
You don’t want to know!
Teacher’s note: This lake is one of twenty favourite tourist spots located in Germany’s Black Forest, where hiking and swimming are popular. One lake is 40 metres deep.
I could have gone for a morning walk
but I just stayed in my bed.
I might have seen the sunrise
but I dreamed a dream instead.
I could have run a marathon
but I’m a bit slow on my feet.
I might have won a medal
if there weren’t so many to beat.
I could have painted a masterpiece
if I had the motivation
I could’ve been known far and wide
but I lacked the application.
I might have been a master chef
as I’m one who’s out to dine.
I could have prepared a delicious meal
but I just ran out of time.
I could have done a lot of things
but I have a plan instead.
I’ll just sit here with my cup of tea
and perform them in my head.
I made a resolution
to keep the whole year through.
I wrote it down but lost it,
now I don’t know what to do.
I’ve searched but cannot find it,
no matter how I strive.
Oh well, I’ll make another one
in twenty-twenty-five.
The barber said “A dollar a cut,
that’s all you have to pay.
And everyone you pass will smile
so sweetly and they’ll say,
Oh Mrs Brown what a beautiful boy,
he looks just like his dad.
Could you have guessed that you’d be blessed
with this happy and handsome lad?”
Then Mrs Brown with a frightening frown
on the barber did wildly whirl.
“Open your eyes you silly man,
he’s a girl. Can’t you see? He’s a girl!”
It’s wintertime in Krakow
and by the castle wall,
the snow is fresh and deep
from this morning’s fall.
The city seems in silence,
the trees are black and bare,
and I can hear my heartbeats
in the frozen air.
Teacher’s note: Krakow is the second largest city in Poland. Its existence can be traced back to the Stone Age. The Old City and Wawel Castle are heritage sites. Krakow boasts one of the world’s oldest universities, and of course it is famous for Oskar Schindler’s factory which is now a museum.
Krispy’s now a famous bear
who could not believe his luck
right there in town late one night
an open door on a donut truck.
Well, he licked his lips and in he went
chocolate, cinnamon and sprinkles galore.
Krispy just couldn’t get enough
two in each of his furry paws.
However, he was caught red handed
told to leave the truck quick smart
but not before the film crew arrived
Krispy played the perfect part.
He smiled right into the camera
showing of his sugary grin
then waddled back to the woods
to boast of his big win.
Alas, the other bears
hearing the truck was securely locked
grumbled and grunted loudly
“ Why did you not bring us a box!”
This poem was based on a CBS news article from Alaska https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/bears-caught-camera-raiding-krispy-kreme-doughnut-van-alaska/
Australian Children’s Poetry 