Category Archives: Australian children’s poetry

Gorgeous! by James Aitchison

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Not a sound, not a ripple,

as we whisper our way

between sandstone walls —

ten metres high, they say.

Then it gets narrow,

two metres in places,

and on the stone,

are they fossil traces?

It’s a tight squeeze,

you can touch the rock —

but make sure it’s not hiding

a freshwater croc!

Yabbies and turtles,

and a big goanna,

you’ll see them all 

in the Gulf Savannah.

Gorgeous! by James Aitchison

Teacher’s note: The Cobbold Gorge was formed 10,000 years ago.  Several springs feed into the gorge, keeping the water level constant.

Far North Queensland’s Cobbold Gorge. Photo by Ginette Pestana

Aquarium Staring by Tamara Seselja

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Look at these creatures from deep in the sea
with tentacles, scales and slippery skin.

Are they staring at me?

Observing our species, our children are mesmerised
as they swim and glide through a salt-water tide.

Do they want to eat me?

They’ve put on a show, so they like what we do
creating this space of connection.

It looks like they love to be watched!

Aquarium Staring by Tamara Seselja

Inspired by March Picture Prompt

AQUARIUM by Kaushani Mufti

The Sea by Jeanette Swan

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The wide sea swells with muscular power:

surges under thundering clouds.

Waves

in chaos

rush and tower,

careless of steepness,

smash

in whirls of foam,

slam

on slabs of rock.

Until

tiring,

sighing.

Rays of sunlight

slice a shredded grey sky,

sparkling silver sequins twinkle

on her scaly skin,

and the ocean lies still.

Vast and deep is the mighty sea that roars.

Yet, at curving edges, surfers ride waves,

landing softly on sandy shores.

Sleeping under an afternoon haze,

the sea stretches out between headlands:

a salty green ocean 

beneath the sky’s hot breath.

A toddler with his mother is paddling in the shallows,

where little ripples run up the beach now the storms are gone.

The Sea by Jeanette Swan

Image from Pixabay

Hungry cockatoos by James Aitchison

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Cockatoos eat with their left leg,

their right hangs on to their perch.

They gobble and chew so neatly

without a sideways lurch.

You’ll see them up on the fence,

having a tasty lunch,

feeding themselves an apple,

never missing a single crunch.

Hungry cockatoos by James Aitchison

Hungry cockatoos. Photo by Philip Webster

Aquarium Query by Celia Berrell

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Do children’s calls
and laughs get past
this giant plate
of strengthened glass?

Do fish hear words
or muffled hums
inside this
grand aquarium?

Aquarium Query by Celia Berrell

Inspired by March Picture Prompt
AQUARIUM by Kaushani Mufti

Rusty in the shoe cupboard by Jeanie Axton

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A girl may love her shoes                                               

but her cat treasures them more

A special place in a cupboard

a spot that she adores

Ah, to rest in the leather

Ooh to breathe in the sweat

An afternoon spent with the shoes

is as good as a cat’s life gets

Rusty in the shoe cupboard by Jeanie Axton

Photo of Rusty provided by Jeanie Axton

Head of the Bight by Meryl Brown Tobin

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Wild June day
whales put on
wide vista performance.
Travellers watch.
In close
mother with calf by her side
breaks the water.
A huge whale follows.
Way out to sea
another blows spume of water
rolls.
His fluke goes up
then a gigantic s p l a s h.

Head of the Bight by Meryl Brown Tobin

Image by Pixabay

A Million Watery Minerals by Cheryl Virgo

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I approach.
It waits then draws me in,
sparkling and splashing a wave or two my way.
I hesitate.
I dip a toe, gasp, then on I go.
Soothed, cooled, caressed 
by a million watery minerals.
I stay.
Afloat and winking at the sun smiling on me.
What is below me? I don’t know.
I just want to enjoy this moment.
I don’t want to leave.
I’d like to take this home with me.
A plop.
A shadow of something disturbs my solitude.
It’s probably some fishy dude.
Then,
I’m being pushed back to shore
by bigger and bigger waves.
On salty sand,
the seawater dries
and I savour the droplets
dancing on my eyes.

Image by Pixabay

Lily Lady Bird by Edwina Smith

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Lily’s in the garden,
Lily Lady Bird.
It must be true,
she’s much to do!
Flitting here and there,
up along a stem.
’Round around she goes,
resting now and then.

Roses give us joy,
Lily Lady Bird.
All beds were laid
in sun, not shade.
Colours warm and bright;
their scent fills the air.
Blooms bask in beauty
for everyone to share.

Lovely lemon trees,
Lily Lady Bird;
bear fruit to squeeze,
we cook to please:
luscious lemon pie.
Juice on chips and fish.
Pancakes piping hot
make a tasty dish!

Here’s our veggie patch,
Lily Lady Bird.
But do beware,
a spider’s there!
Leafy greens will be
ready soon to pick;
veggies rich in goodies
that stop us getting sick.

Hiding in the herbs,
Lily Lady Bird.
She loves them so
and did you know?
Planting dill and chives,
yields a special treat.
Flowers full of nectar,
give her food to eat!

Aphids draw the sap,
Lily Lady Bird.
It’s nothing new,
you’re hungry too!
She protects our plants
from tiny pesky pests.
Mealybugs and mites
are most unwelcome guests.

What a friend you are!
Lily Lady Bird.
No need for spray,
she’ll eat her prey.
Nature’s little gem
shining red with spots.
Keeping pests in check
in all our garden plots.

Lily Lady Bird by Edwina Smith

Image from Pixabay

Aqua Dynamics by Celia Berrell

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Dynamic birds in black and white
with flapping wings zoom by.
Darting, diving, chasing prey …
can penguins really fly?

Their thin small wings are more like fins.
Their bodies, large and plump
have webby toes and stubby legs.
Poor penguins barely jump!

Their sturdy bones can help them dive.
Their plumpness keeps them warm.
Eight hundred times as dense as air
the seas are where they roam.

Penguins can’t fly in the sky
but fly in oceans blue.
Darting, diving, chasing prey …
so, do the fish fly too?

Aqua Dynamics by Celia Berrell
First published in Science Rhymes in the Sea
Celebrating SEA WEEK!

Image from Pixabay