‘The Girl Who Was a Bird’ by Jessica Nelson

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The Girl Who Was a Bird

 

When I was young

I wrote to a girl

(on an island far away)

Who drew her self-portrait

In cheap ballpoint pen:

A bird in a cage.

 

When I was young

I wrote to a girl

(on an island not so far)

Of my home and land

How I wished she was here:

The bird cried behind bars.

 

When I was young

I wrote to a girl

(She was brave and strong and true)

Who sang and cried in her cage

In a forgotten attic-space

As she watched the world pass.

 

When I was a woman

They opened the cage

Long enough for my friend

To spread stiff wings

To soar as songbirds should.

In the blue sky she left my sight.

 

‘A Special Place’ by Kylie Covark

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I’ve got a special place that’s just for me

Where trees soar high and treasures hide in caves.

Where the sun goes to sleep far out at sea

Beneath the waves.

Where colourful birds brighten up the sky,

And paint the world with rainbows as they fly.

 

I’ve got a special place that’s just for me

Where other people help to fill my cup.

Where people can be who they want to be

​When they grow up.

Where everyone can always speak their mind,

And people value others who are kind.

 

I’ve got a special place that’s just for me

Where I am safe with friends around who care.

A country where we’re lucky to be free

​And we can share.

There’s room for new friends in this country too;

I’ve saved a special place right here for you.

‘My Name is Amity’ by Louise McCarthy

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I am from the universe –

Beneath the stars, the sun, the moon.

I feel the rain,

I feel the wind,

I see the fields,

I see the mountains,

I hear the river,

I hear the ocean.

I touch the land where I was born.

I touch the wave upon its shore.

I sail away…

I hope,

I dream,

I wish…

I am playing stepping stones.

I am from the planet earth.

Are you from this planet too?

By Louise McCarthy.

 

‘Eastern Block Orphan’ by J.R. McRae

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‘Welcome’ by Stephanie Boase

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Welcome!

 

Welcome

Little children,

To this vast, brown land.

Come and share the beauty

We’ve come to understand.

 

There are no boarder fences here,

Only the sea surrounds.

The air is fresh.

The sky is clear.

No bombs or rubble mounds.

 

You are not alone

In coming from afar.

Many of us, too

Have sought this

Southern Star.

 

Come join us,

Little children!

Come, play in the sun.

Welcome

Little children,

For we are all as one!

‘Paper Boats’ by June Perkins

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Paper boats conjure dreams

of petals soaked by

scents of the

ocean.

 

Traveling boats

float in shadows

people

who have a simple hope

for happy lands,

 

but white markers sink

in sandy earth

marking graves of people

who cannot resist new germs.

 

‘Once watched paper boats,’

paternal grandfather says

in Vietnamese

but nobody understands

 

No translators here.

 

So shadow puppets dance

for petals

falling from kumquat boughs.

 

© June Perkins

https://ripplepoetry.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/paperboat.jpg

 

‘That Night’ by Di Bates

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’Slurpie’ by Jeanie Axton

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Slurpie the dog
Loves his smoothies
His tongue goes wild
His lips are groovy
He guzzles and gulps
Drinking real fast
This isn’t a drink
That was made to last
Green for goodness
Sugar for pop
No spilling here
Not one drop
Slurping and licking
Black eyes bright
Slurpie the dog
Filled with delight.

‘The Snooze’ by Monty Edwards

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The Snooze

When Dad’s at the seashore,

This bit he likes best:

After all the swimming,

Take a well-earned rest.

Once lunch is completed, 

This is what he’ll choose:

Lying on his towel,

He will have a snooze.

 

Soaking up the sunshine,

Lying on the beach,

Seeking for a suntan,

Drink within his reach

How long he will lie there

None of us can guess.

Asked if he’s still snoozing

He just mumbles:”Yes”. 

 

We return to swimming, 

Wait for him to come,

When it doesn’t happen,

We send back our Mum.

Suddenly Mum wakes him: 

“Dave, you’re getting hot!

You look like a lobster,

Lifted from the pot!”

Monty Edwards

 

Monty says: “I considered calling the poem “Redback!”, but in order not to confuse, chose “The Snooze”. Although the poem ends as above, one or both the following verses may be added for didactic purposes.”

 

Dad forgot to sunscreen: 

Didn’t slip, slop, slap;

Left his head uncovered:

Didn’t wear his cap.

Now his back is blistered,

Face is sore and red, 

He will struggle sleeping

Even in his bed.

 

We all learnt a lesson

On the beach that day,

Sunshine is a blessing 

When you want to play, 

But the sun can hurt you,

If you don’t take care

Best to have protection

With you everywhere.

‘Let’s Pretend’ by Elizabeth Mary Cummings

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Let’s Pretend

 

I am so popular, I’m so in

I always have the next best thing!

 

You can see how good I am, it’s up to me

How in with the it-crowd you will be.

 

Always sure and what’s more, not scared one bit

For I know, I am a wonder, a big hit!

 

Never failing, never losing  and never unsure

Do you believe me? Okay, I’ll stop now and lie no more.

Elizabeth Mary Cummings