Motionlessly, silently it tracks
the movements of a dragonfly
that hovers now in the reach
of a long, sticky tongue,
another victim
caught unawares
is conquered,
swallowed,
gone
Frog watch by Jenny Erlanger
Image by Pixabay
Category Archives: Australian children’s poetry
Devilish Billy Joe by Toni Newell
Leave a commentBilly Joe is my best friend
Wears a collar, has four legs,
Follows me consistently
If there’s food he often begs.
We live in leafy Doncaster
In a small two-bedroom home
And because I have to work a lot
Billy Joe’s often left alone.
Whilst I’m away at the office
He has the run of the house
And often creates havoc
He’s not as quiet as a mouse.
The neighbours are not happy
When he barks and carries on
But there’s very little I can do
When working on the phone.
His devilish disposition
Gets him into lots of strife
By causing so much damage
Which he’s done all his short life.
So how can I fix this problem
I ask with nought in mind
What can I do to stop him
And a happy solution find.
But then I think of something
Should I find him a friend
Which would keep him occupied
And his destructiveness end.
I put my masterplan in action
Bring home Archer, a puppy
It appears that what I’ve done
Has made Billy Joe very happy.
They seem to get along quite well
And spend their time in play
Until they’re both exhausted
Crash on the couch and stay.
Archer has become
Billy Joe’s best friend
Bringing him home has been
A victory to this end.
Devilish Billy Joe by Toni Newell
Image by Pixabay
World Poetry Day 21st March
Leave a commentMarch 21st was declared World Poetry Day by UNESCO in 1999. It celebrates the power of words. Connecting our kaleidoscope of languages and cultures throughout history, how will you participate? What might you do, think or read to commemorate this day of diverse verse?
Brumbies (Nonet) by Linda Davidson
1 CommentGalloping through the bush, brumbies run
Led by the strong silver stallion
Glistening coats after rain
Pounding hooves flicking mud
Seven in the herd
A sight to see
Manes flying
Wild and
Free
Brumbies by Linda Davidson
Image by Pexels
Leaf Litter by Michael Buckingham Gray
Leave a commentI crunch on a leaf
that spiralled from a tree
that somersaulted down the street
that slept in a doorway
that heard the honks of traffic
that was swept away by a shopkeeper
that was picked up by a woman in a wheelchair
that was passed to a young man with pimples
that he dropped
at my feet
Leaf Litter by Michael Buckingham Gray
Photo of leaf. Taken by Michael Buckingham Gray
Where do I go? by James Aitchison
Leave a commentI like to go where it’s slow,
where silence never ends,
where ancient mountains
become my best friends.
Where eagles nest,
I like to sit and just be,
where land has no limits
and where I am free.
Where do I go? by James Aitchison
The view from Pugilists’ Hill, Flinders Ranges. Photo by Ginette Pestana
A Long Way to the End of the Pool by Rachael Koch
Leave a commentToday’s the day, our carnival.
We’ll race across the pool.
The sun is beating down on us
but the water will be cool.
I’m in my brand new swimming shorts.
I’ve got my goggles ready.
Imagine gold upon my chest!
My nerves are holding steady.
I line up at the starting blocks
with Ali, Sam and Tim.
I’m ready for the siren’s sound,
if only I could swim!
A Long Way to the End of the Pool by Rachael Koch
Image by Pexels
Mid-Month Poetry Prompt
Leave a commentCounting the syllables in each line of a poem is a great exercise for finding and feeling its rhythm and pattern. Remember, rhyming is only one of many ways that can make writing poetic.
This MID-MONTH PROMPT calls for a NONET on any topic of your choosing. This nine-line poem begins with 9 syllables in the first line, finishing with 1 on the last line … or it could be the other way round, starting with 1 syllable and ending with 9.
We’d love to receive your examples!
Gorgeous! by James Aitchison
Leave a commentNot 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
Leave a commentLook 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
Australian Children’s Poetry 