Category Archives: Australian children’s poetry

Flying on my Butterfly by Linda Davidson

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I’m off to the land of Teeny Tiny,
that’s where I’ll go today.
I’m the size of a sweet pea
and I’ll adventure far away.
Flying on my butterfly –
I’ve named her Charlotte Rose.
We’ll visit the land of mermaids –
ladies with no toes.

Flying low across the sea,
I spy them on some rocks.
Gracefully singing and combing their hair,
wearing bikini tops.
Their tails are sparkling
in the sun,
As they smile and
ask us to join their fun.

We fly down and land
on an outstretched arm,
as they all gather around
to tell us a yarn
of days gone by
with fishermen and boats.
How they saved men’s lives
and kept ships afloat.

We listened intently,
Charlotte and I,
Then thanked them,
saying, “It’s time to fly.”
Their graceful hands
wave us goodbye
As we fly up high
into the sky.

And head towards home,
to my garden with flowers.
To dream some more
and adventure for hours.

Artwork: YOU ARE HERE by Hayley Gillespie

February Prompts

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It’s back-to-school time! We hope you connect with some fabulous friends in FEEL-GOOD FEBRUARY.

Send your poetic inspirations to Linda Davidson at:

ozchildrenspoetry@gmail.com

Date prompts include:

  • Library Lovers Day (14th Feb)
  • Random Acts of Kindness Day (17th Feb)

Picture Prompt:

Artwork: YOU ARE HERE by Hayley Gillespie

Geordie the Sheepdog by Edwina Smith

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The farmer’s made a start;
he’s loading bales of hay.
His dog is watching on
as sunrise greets the day.

It’s been a busy week,
with little time for sleep
and Geordie’s bred to work,
rounding up the sheep.

Together they set out,
across a paddock green;
a flock of sheep to shear,
way off and still unseen.

Geordie‘s sent to search;
he’ll bring them through the gate
and down toward the shed
where sharpened shears await!

The farmer knows his dog
and thinks he’s pretty good.
He trained him from a pup
to work just like he should.

A distant view reveals,
a swirling swarm of wool;
a fleece on every back
will keep the cutters full.

Geordie’s calm and quiet;
he sweeps from side to side.
Such a willing worker,
delights the farmer’s pride.

The mob’s in and job’s done,
he gives a little praise
with voice and gentle smile;
there’s kindness in his ways.

They go from dawn to dusk,
both farmer and his dog.
Geordie’s by his side
through heat or winter’s fog.

Shearing, lambing, drenching;
the seasons have no end.
He couldn’t be without
his faithful canine friend.

Dream on Geordie Junior;
you’re only eight weeks old!
Best to stay and play for now,
before you join the fold.

There’s time for you to grow,
so have a little sleep.
Your turn will surely come
rounding up the sheep.

Image from Pixabay

At Sunset by James Aitchison

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Like skeletons on their way home,
Waving their hands in the air,
The trees at dusk look alive
And I wonder what secrets they’d share.

What troubles disturbed their peace?
What have they witnessed this day?
What birds graced their branches,
What kangaroos passed this way?

Soon they will fade into night,
Another day will be done.
And the bush will sleep until morning
And the blazing of the sun.

Dusk in the bush. Photo by Ginette Pestana

Getting Sorted by James Aitchison

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One day I opened my wardrobe

and all the junk fell out!

Ten pairs of filthy shoes 

and a half-eaten Brussels sprout.

There were socks that smelled really gross,

some old underpants and a book,

and in a plastic lunchbox,

I found the remains of a chook.

A football my dog had chewed,

a tube of cream for my zits,

a few dead flies and a lizard,

and a shirt that no longer fits.

Such a disgusting mess —

I didn’t know what to say.

Back into the wardrobe it went,

To be sorted another day!

Image from Pixabay

Change the Date by Angelina Maranesi

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Celebration of our Nation.
Australia Day.

Let’s choose a date.
Let’s have the debate
to choose a day not tarnished by invasion.
A day that isn’t tainted.
A day that’s not divisive.

Choose a day
to share our stories,
our heartaches and our glories.

Choose a day
to celebrate our culture.
Making peace our future.
Sharing traditions,
food, language, song and dance.
Let’s give everyone a chance.

Choose a day
to own our true history.
To wrap around our first people,
the ancestors of this land.
We need to make a stand
to acknowledge and celebrate
the oldest culture on earth.

Choose a day
for healing,
compassion
and acceptance.
Choose a day for all of us
to celebrate our nation.

Advance Australia Fair

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Australians all let us rejoice, 
For we are one and free; 
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil; 
Our home is girt by sea; 
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts 
Of beauty rich and rare; 
In history’s page, let every stage 
Advance Australia Fair. 
In joyful strains then let us sing, 
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross 
We’ll toil with hearts and hands; 
To make this Commonwealth of ours 
Renowned of all the lands; 
For those who’ve come across the seas 
We’ve boundless plains to share; 
With courage let us all combine 
To Advance Australia Fair. 
In joyful strains then let us sing, 
Advance Australia Fair.

From 1 January 2021, the second line of the Australian National Anthem was changed from ‘For we are young and free’ to ‘For we are one and free’.

https://www.pmc.gov.au/honours-and-symbols/australian-national-symbols/australian-national-anthem

Bobby the Bilby by Linda Davidson

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Bobby the Bilby is cute as can be.
He’s very shy and hides from me.
With long ears and a pointy nose
He builds his burrow with clawed toes.

I want to pat his soft grey fur.
Down a burrow he dashes in a blur.
Should I wait in the pale moonlight,
or come back again tomorrow night?

TIME TO GROW by Sharon Davson

In a Lava Cave by James Aitchison 

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This cave is at Undara,

a short walk from our bus.

The cave is nice and cool —

outside it’s 40 plus!

Forty thousand bats

call these caves their home,

and when the sun goes down,

the bats fly out to roam. 

But when they do — watch out!

There’s danger in the night:

snakes jump out from trees

and catch them in mid-flight.

The moral of the story?

See lava caves by day!

And keep the bats and snakes

well out of your way.

Undara Lava Tubes, North Queensland. Photo by Ginette Pestana

I Close My Eyes by Diane Finlay

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I close my eyes: it’s dark inside my head
but only for a moment.
Then softly, with my fingertips
gently press my eyelids – to make the colours come.

Sometimes up, sometimes down, sometimes round and round;
they dance
like fireworks inside my brain.

I close my eyes: it’s dark inside my head
but only for a moment.
Then softly, with my fingertips
gently press my eyelids – to find the wiggly worms

sometimes up, sometimes down, sometimes round and round;
they float
across my eyelid screen.

Image by Pixabay