Tumberlina has ten toes,
stumble-bumble, up she goes!
Her weeny foot slips on a stair
and now her toes are in the air.
Giggle-wiggle, with a hop
she’s off again to reach the top.
Photo from Pixabay
Bright white cotton for its feathers,
Beak hooked from grey-black twine,
Whitish stitches for its eye-rings,
Dark glossy beads for eyes.
A strong yarn for its feet and claws,
Its crest, a yellow fleece —
A sulphur-crested cockatoo!
I hope it doesn’t screech!
Image by ChatGPT on reading Linda’s poem
When I have nothing else to do,
I look up at the sky.
There’s always something happening,
as clouds go rolling by.
I like to watch the colours change,
there’s always something new;
and after it rains I might see
a beautiful rainbow or two.
I think I’ll become a pilot —
how good does that sound?
Then I could be up in the sky
instead of on the ground!
Wattle Glen sky. Photo by Philip Webster
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
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
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
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
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.
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 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
Australian Children’s Poetry 