Count-up to Planet Bed
I’m one for the window
and two for the door.
I’m three for the ceiling
and four for the floor.
I’m five for the morning
and six for the night.
I’m seven for the stairs
and eight for the light.
I’m nine for a story
and ten for my bed.
Now I’m off for a dream
to hold in my head.
(Published in Toothpaste Trouble (ed. Nick Toczek, Macmillan, 2002)
If ever there was a time for poetry, it’s now
When people are unsure
Their minds alive with fear, routines undone,
Bring words of hope and words of beauty,
Bring words of comfort to everyone.
When people are confined
Their choices curtailed, plans put aside,
Bring words of light and words of strength,
Bring words of freedom to inspire
When people are frustrated,
Their tempers strained, their goodwill thin,
Bring words of laughter and words of peace
Bring words of love to hold within.
Moon–watch
We’ve been studying the moon –
drawing it, remembering all the moons
we’ve ever seen.
Just now, through the window,
there’s a daylight-moon looking fragile,
shell–soft, pale white.
I’d love to go up there
whizzing through the blue,
landing on the moon’s pearly face.
What a journey –
a first for our school.
Sure, I would, after a good look around.
And I’d want to keep talking about it –
a holiday in a lifetime. . .
© Katherine Gallagher
THE YEAR OF THE MALE METAL RAT
Not only the Year of the Rat – not that!
It’s the Year of the Male Metal Rat.
Rats like hard work and their focus aims out
They prefer to be active, they don’t like to doubt.
They’re powerful and strong like the blade of a knife
They have rigid opinions on money and life.
Boy Rats are clever and quick to adapt
Girl Rats are homely, in family they’re rapt
Their houses are tidy, all things in their place
They care for their families with prudence and grace
Boy Rats are creative and keen to advance
They have good ideas but don’t seize the chance.
Rat is the first of zodiacal years
*He tricked the Ox and jumped over his ears!
They’re liked by most and they’re usually kind
They’re technical thinkers, by study refined.
Rat may design buildings, his detail is fine
Engineering is also a likely Rat line.
They’re gifted with brains but say things that may hurt
Rats tell you the truth but sometimes sound curt.
As workers in teams they’re not at their best
Creating’s their thing – with ideas they’re blest.
They’re said to bring wealth in gen’rous profusion
All Rats make good friends – that’s my conclusion.
*according to myth the Jade Emperor decided to allocate the zodiacal years by the order in which the invited animals arrived at his party. Rat tricked Ox into giving him a ride and when they reached the finishing line Rat jumped over his ears and claimed first place.
Rescue Dogs
On the radio,
I heard the news today,
There was a rush on dogs,
I pray they have good homes,
With love and stimulation,
Assisting their new owners,
To cope with isolation.
Shelters almost empty,
Which is wonderful I know,
But when this crisis ends,
Will it still be so?
There’s a question I ponder,
“Which is really true?”
Between the two of them,
“Who’s actually rescuing who?”.
Lilli Black Swan
Lilli Black Swan
has her best feathers on
and she’s never topsy-turvy
though the water’s quite curvy
©Katherine Gallagher
My Best Friend.
My best friend,
Has four paws,
He loves me heaps,
He has no claws.
He’s always there,
Right by my side,
Head on lap,
I’m full of pride.
He loves me,
Unconditionally,
I look at him,
And what I see,
Are loving eyes,
A wagging tail,
He’s my true friend,
And cannot fail.
Good Morning,
We have many heroes in our community helping others through this health crisis.
Please choose one and write a poem about the work they are doing.
I am presently scheduling poems ahead.
Please send in other poems that are uplifting/humorous then I can mix things up a bit as well.
Send in poems this week to
poemoftheday.jaxton@gmail.com
Thankyou and Keep Safe
Jeanie
Australian Children’s Poetry 