You say I haven’t listened
to a word you’ve said today
or to anything you’ve told me in the week.
But I think, in my defence,
that it is pretty fair to say
when I’m in the mood to listen, you don’t speak.
The Mob by Jeanie Axton
Leave a commentAn emu family crossed the road
not a single care in sight,
unconcerned about all the cars
and what could possibly be strife.
Halfway across all traffic stilled
the mob stopped and looked around
“Whats is all the fuss about?
We are on our way, Homeward bound!”
The Curious Clock by James Aitchison
Leave a commentI saw a curious clock
built into a wall.
It made me very curious
seeing such a clock at all.
Now, I don’t know
what’s behind it,
and I don’t know
how they wind it!
I know it’s been up there
for many, many years,
And when I heard it chime,
it was music to my ears.
Teacher’s note: Discuss the adjective “curious” with students. It can mean (1) eager to know or learn something, as well as (2) strange or unusual.
All Those Steps! by James Aitchison
Leave a commentWe’ll run down swiftly to the beach
and jump into the sea,
where rolling waves will cool us down —
we’ll stay till half past three!
But when it’s time to pack and go,
you’ll hear us groaning then —
climbing up all those steps
will make us hot again!
The Skeleton by Jenny Erlanger
Leave a commentI stare into the hollows
of his smiling, bony face
and I wonder how he looked
with all his other bits in place.
Was he beautiful or ugly?
Was he fat or was he lean?
Was he just a little weakling?
Was he built like a machine?
Did he have the smooth complexion
that belongs to movie stars?
Was his face a mass of pimples
or of scary-looking scars?
The skeleton says nothing
but I’m judging from his grin
that he’s rather glad he’s free
from all that muscle, flesh and skin.
Ladybird by Gemma Creegan
Leave a commentA small object of fate
Sits on a leaf of green dew
Hidden in his smallness.
Little red and black creature
Crawling along endless stems
Paths that lead overboard
Crossing over lines with tiny feet
Pattering towards safety.
In a safe blanket of grass and daisies
Hunting for a crumb of food
Or a bed untrodden by feet.
Illustration by Gemma Creegan
Artificial Intelligence by James Aitchison
Leave a commentIt’s all the rage,
the latest thing,
artificial intelligence.
But I don’t care,
because for me
it hasn’t any relevance!
My intelligence
is very real,
and lives inside my brain.
It’s not artificial,
and that’s official,
and it works again and again!
My Fun House by James Aitchison
Leave a commentOne day I’m going to build a house
with cheery yellow candy.
I’ll put ice creams on the roof,
and fruit gums nice and handy.
Then I’ll add two cup cakes,
with lollypops galore,
liquorice allsorts in the corners,
and chocolates by the door.
Teacher’s note: This house can be found in the storybook corner of the Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin.
Boogers by Jeanie Axton
Leave a commentAs an expert in the making
flicking boogers is a skill
when Im needing more of them
I know where to refill.
Friends all want to join me
but its an individual sport
one thats learnt through practice
or as they say “self taught”.
The Fairy Garden by Gemma Creegan
Leave a commentRoses drip their dewy secrets
The air is sweet and perfumed
With jasmine, sage and lavender.
Clouds merge to form laughter
Birds sing for the love of Spring
Blades of grass reach for the sky.
I glimpse a fairy in a hedge
Her face glows like moon shine
Reflecting the lilies on the pond.
Illustration by Gemma Creegan
Australian Children’s Poetry 